The San Francisco call., 1897-03-06
SUPERVISORS IN COMM TEE
DISCUSS OPERATING EXPENSES
The Spring Valley Water Companys Detailed State
ment Arouses Great Deal Of
Criticism.

media works was $1,000 900, including the
water rights and 1900 acres of farming
land in the Caaveras Valley The cost of
pumping in Cincinnati was much cheaper
because coal cost less. He considered that
the difference in the cost of coal would
explain the difference in the cost of pump
ing here and in Cincinnati. The cost OF
pumping in Chicago could also be &C
coun ted for by the greater cheapness Of
coal there.
The Mayor-What price do you pay for
coal?
The witness said that the price varied
all the way from So 80 to 81 so ton at
Belmont.
DR.. Dodge commented on the great con-
trast between the cost of pumping in the
Eastern cities and in San Francisco, con-
corning which the witness expressed him
self somewhat skeptical, and assured DR..
Dodge that be would be greatly pleased
to read the article from which he obtained
his data.
Mr.. Schussler went into details, as to
the method employed in keeping the coal
account, and explained that when he
found that the amount of coal burned at
given pumping station did not agree
with the amount reported he Immediately
proceeded to investigate.
DIR. Dodge-W nat amount OF water
should one ton of coal send into the
City?
The witness said at the rate of 5000, 900
gallons day from the Belmont pun ping
station the monthly amount would be
about 240, Geo. 900 gallons. He could not
remem ber the amour: OF coal used in that
time, but could tell by referring to his
books.
The Mayor-How much coal do you con-
sumo annually2
The witness said that would depend upon
the amount of pumping. In 1896 they
pumped 3,605, 100000 gallons; III 1895
2 696 900, 600; Ii 1894, 3,002 000, 600; in 1893
2,495, 600 600; in 1892, 4230, 600, coo. The
amount varied considerably every year,
and the amount OF coal they consumed
also varied approximately with the
amount OF water they pumped.
The coal bill last year was $4,000 in
round figures and 3.605, 100000 gallons
were pumped during that period. 1t was
not only coal, he said, that was SO much
dearer here than in the East. The COM
pany's salaries were also much higher
% and 80 per cent. Their head engineer
received $3.50 a month, assistants $100 each
and firemen $50.
The Mavor-The railway company pays
less thar So for coal.
The witness insisted that the company
did cheaper pumping with dearer coal
than Others did with cheaper coal.
The committee discussed the next Item
of $40, 742 "a for the Clarendon Heights
pump, briefly. Mr.. Schussler said that
this was used 10 pump water from the
Crystal Springs reservoir and to raise 1t
500 feet IN height 10 large reservoir on
the extension of Eighteenth street, where
it was distributed.
The chairman asked for an explanation
regarding the cost of $50 for thePortola
reservoir.
The witness said that the company had
never received any water from tn is source.
The Stan ord University was supplied
therefrom. But the com pany would get
proportion OF the water as soon as GER
lain number of feet were added to the top
of the dam. The dam cost nearly $120, 600
and would be the found tion for the com-
pany's main dam. The company was the
real beneficiary, because they purchased
by the contract with the local company
fully half interest in all the water rights.
On the motion of the Mayor the COM
mittee proceeded to the consideration of
the general expense account CT $17, ,9S1 20.
Secretary Ames took the stand and
enumerated the following as among some
Of the items of expenditure:
Advertising. $3.50 40; trustees. s23o4; en-
ployes overtime, $40; damage claims. 1866;
City license, $604; railroad. 1865 20;
donations TO charity, $455; pensions,
$47G; bills receivable. $1,000; certificate
td4- S1GO1 HdBOl llStuSSI Zoo w. EAOCcIlSS,
S52 As; engineers picnic, $721; teams. $3.50;
microscope, $92; general expenses, $3.50 Is;
shipping department. 1914 so; Stock aud
Bond Exchange, $25; bad coin, $40 50 COM
mission to Baldwin & Hammond, $l013 90;
fire alarms, $13 40; more donations to charity
S420; services of experts, 1852; sundry ex-
penses, $465 83; sundry employees overtime,
1865; legal expenses, SIG, 1886.
Mayor Phelan was anxious to know the
items of the advertising account. which
Mr.. Ames said he could not give off-hand.
He was required by the chairman to pre-
pare such a statement in time for the
next meeting.
DR.. Rottanzi wanted to know whether
the company had not paid large sums for
laudatory articles published in the daily
press.
Mr.. Ames-I don't know.
The company refused to state the indi-
vidual amounts received by the COM
pany's attorneys. The company, Mr..