The herald., 1897-02-17
Preliminary Conference at the
City Hall Yesterday
THE PRICE NOT TOO HIGH
According to the Statement Of the Water
Company's Representatives
Councllmen Show q Disposition to Oct Into
the Inside Facts-No Definite Re. q
suit 10 Reached

The committee on water supply of the
city council, with the representatives
of the water companies, met yesterday
morning for a preliminary conference,
preparatory to fixing water rates for the
coming year. There were present S. B.
Caswell and s. H. Mott, representing
the Los Angeles Water company;
Messrs. Winans and Washburn of the
Highland Water company. and Coun-
cilmen Ashman, Silver, Hutchison, Girl
der, Nickel, Blanchard and Toll, the
three last named being the members of
the committee.
Under the provisions of the charter, it
is the duty of the council to fix the water
rates every year, during the month of
February, and it was for this purpose
the meeting was held.
The water companies are supposed to
furnish data as to their receipts, etc..
on which to base the water rates, and
preliminary conference is always held
to determine the proper rates.
Messrs. Caswell and Mott, as repre-
senting the Los Angeles Water COM
pany. made the principal. talk, but moth
ing definite was determined.
Inc wafer COillptHy SOHle lliile dSO
submitted a detailed statement of their
receipts, and Messrs. Caswell and Mott
thought that this was sufficient for the
council to base it's estimates upon.
Councilmen Toll and Nickel took is
sue with this, and did not think that
enough data had been furnished. The
gentlemen said that they wished to be
fair, but they could not go on this basis.
They asked that the company furnish
: I1to Lad etat 1111t Tnt
and Caswell did not agree with the gen.
tlemen.
Mr.. Caswell said that the water COM
pany was furnishing about Is, 100000 gal
Ions of water per day, and that their
receipts were about $1,000 per day. The
gentlemen insisted that this was by far
cheaper than any other company on the
coast. Mr.. Caswell said that the water
company did not avail itself of the priv
ilege of using ten inches of water from
the river, but secured its main supply
from the water developed on the lands
of the Crystal Springs company. He
also stated that the water company paid
the Crystal Springs company 40 per cent
of their gross receipts for this water.
In fixing the rates, Mr.. Caswell said that
it should be borne in mind that the COM
pany furnished water free for sprinkling
and other public purposes. For this
service the Spring Valley company of
San Francisco received about $275,0C0
per annum Mr. Caswell candidly ad
mitted that the consumer paid this large
surplus, saying that the revenues from
service was the only source of revenues
of the company. He estimated that at
least a quarter of all the water furnish
ed the city went for public use without
any direct charge.
In answer to questions, Mr.. Mott said
that the company could not agree to any
rate less than that of 1S9495 as they
were now in court on that proposition.
Mr.. Mott said that if the company
wished to rebate any amount that was
their own affair. AS a matter of fact,
and law, they stood on the contract rate
of 1868, which had never been repealed
Then if 1 understand Alright" said
Councilman Hutchison, anything that
we do is of no effect, except as it is toll
Grated by the water company?'
Both Messrs Casweu and Mott has
tened to disclaim any such idea, but
Councilman Toll questioned the gentle
men at length, and insisted on square
statement of fact, which they finally
gave, saying that, while they stood on
the 1868 contract, they had compromised
on the rates established in 1S94-95 as
about the proper basis.
There was another long talk, but no
decision was reached Mr. CaSwell
thought that the company should have
the right to protect itself against the
reckless waste of water by consumers
by attaching a meter and being allowed
to charge 80 per cent of the surplus. This,
he said was not a money making
scheme, but it was for the protection of
the company.
The noon hour having arrived Messrs.
Caswell and Mott left and Mr. Winans,
representing the Highlands Water COM
pany, then addressed the committee. Mr..
Winans showed every disposition to fur
nish the committee with all data ON
which to base the rates. Like Mr.. Cas-
well, he thought that his company
should have the protection of meters,
and asked that they have the privilege
of attaching the same.
The committee during the afternoon
was in executive session, the doors being
closed. The result of their deliberations
was not made public.