The San Francisco call., 1897-01-27

formed taxpayers are swindled out of So.
IF this proposition assumes favorable
shape / will have 3 proposition to sub
NIT TO The Manufacturers and Producers
Association with view of having it sub.
mitted py this body to the Board of Su-
pervisors. The purpose is to throw such
safeguards around the whole matter as
will prevent jobbery. NV proposition is
this: That the Board of Supervisors en-
list the good offices of Senators Perkins
and White in request to the Federal
Government to secure the services of two
or more United States Engineers from the
army corps who will exercise superin-
tendency of the construction of the sewer
system of this City. | would have the
Supervisors place the entire matter OF con-
structing the sewerage system in the
hands of the Mayor and these army eng-
neers suggested. Ny reason for wanting
the Federal engineers to take practical
charge of the work is because these army
officers, who hold office for life. either in
active service or under a pension when
they grow old. cannot be corrupted by
contractors or political jobbers. If this
matter takes definite shape | believe that
the Manufacturers and Producers Asso-
citation will stand by the suggestion in the
interests of honesty. U1less something
of this kind is done l am afraid that it
will be the same old story OF fleeing the
taxpayers in the interests of the political
jobbers and Contractors
President Dohrmann of the Merchants
Association shook his head when the
proposition of raising funds by issuing
City bonds was made TO him and he said (:
II am in favor of the City paving its d BITS
as soon as it can. l am most heartily in
favor of an improved and perfected sew
erage system and the issuing of bonds for
that purpose; but as TO the present suS-
gestion for raising money by bonding the
City | am opposed 10 it. What is my rea-
SOM 1t is this: We are not prepared to
do so now. 1t is not the proper time. Be-
fore the City can be fonded we must have
better municipal syst m of government,
new charter and general better busi-
ness system under which such business
can be transacted. If we bond the City IN
our present condition difficulties and tan
giles of most complex and embar-
RAISING nature will arise.
President Dohrmann, in discussing the
sewerage system, gave expression 10 the
views that are set forth in the advance
copy OF the Merchants Associations Re-
view OF February. which reads as follows
The problem of devising a correct system ol
sewerage for San Francisco is one of such
great magnitude as 10 require most careful
consideration. No hasty or ill-advised plans
should be adopted. We believe that the ap
pom EtlDeut OI tnc COM pcItHb tuBluttIS III 1857
to investigate the condition and actual needs
OF the sewerage system of san Francisco was
step in the right direction. We strongly rec
ommend that commission of the most cap
able and re liable engineers be appointed by
the City TO continue the work begun by the
previous sewerage commission.
After a careful and thorough report las been
ofhcially made by commission of the mos
trustworthy engineers. the City authorite.
should caut ously proceed to provide ways
and means for the construction OF a correc
system OF sewerage. The cost OF this immense
improvement would be 100 great to be raised
by ordinary taxation in one year or severa
fiscal years, but should be provided BY bond
ing the City for sufficient amount as pre-
scribed by law. Posterlly would en- joy the un
told blessings OF an improved sewerage system
equally much as tie present generation
and therefore, the expense should be justl,
distributed over long period OF years.
Resuming, President Dohrmann sale