The San Francisco call., 1897-02-16


committee of the whole, Supervisor
Clinton presiding and Mayor Phelan oc-
cupying DR.. Clintons place on the floor,
resumed last evening its inquiry into the
matter of water rates and water supply
and their relation to the income OF the
Spring Valley Water Company.
The session consumed the entire even
ing ard was followed by an audience that
lined the margins of the big room with
evident interest, despite the character OF
dry statistics of which the testimony was
made up.
Engineer Schussler was the one witness
of the evening. He had brought with
him a statement of the property owned by
the company and was besides surrounded
by maps and plans and diagrams, to which
he constantly referred in his effort to sup
ply the equally constant demand for in
formation.
The questioning was conducted in ran
dom fashion, each Supervisor taking his
turn as ideas occurred to him or as op-
portunity offered.
Mayor PheIan was the sharpest inquisi-
tor, with DR.. Rottanzi and DR.. Dodge fol-
lowing close in order.
Mayor Phelan interrupted the reading
of the report of the company's property,
which was begun at the opening of the
session, and suggested that it be called up
later. Later he called it up himself, but
at the same time objected to its incom-
pleteness. While it gave presumably
full list of the property it did not he said,
state the uses 10 which each piece was
put, as especially called for by the reso-
luton of the committee. This was de-
sired by way of determining whether the
property was needful in the business of
the company in supplying the City with
water He said he did not know what
the policy OF the company was in this
matter-if it was one of speration,
trying to tire the committee out, it was
well directed.
Mr.. SchussIer said: "I think l have ex-
ercised great patience this evening under
a long series of questions. l have been
summoned here to answer questions, and
l stand ready to answer all that may be
put to me-"
you have been patient, that's true,
said the Mayor. There seems to be a great
many questions which you cannot answer
and l submit that the president and secre-
tary OF the company should be SUBJ
penaed."
DR.. Clinton directed the clerk to see that
they were subpenaed for the next meet
ing.
The list of property was then read and
the witness required TO describe the util-
ity of every piece.
A great deal OF ground was gone over
and an infinite mount of repetition dur
ing the session, the witness being reqnired
to describe the water rates prevailing in
different years, equipment and the sew
eral sources of supply and its growth, and
TO make comparisons in the methods N
vogue in this City with those of others in
the United States.
The clerk having called the roll Super
visor Clinton moved that the board go
into committee of the whole for the con-
sideration OF water rates. The motion
carried and the mover was elected to take
the chair.
H then announced that the first busi-
ness " the committee would be to hear
Engineer Schussler's report regarding the
&, Q.Iesl Tor Information as 10 the operating
expenses and the amount of property
really engaged in supplying the City with
water together with a roster of EN- ployes,
their salaries and where employed.
The clerk began to read a report on the
real estate owned by the company when
the May or interposed and suggested that
this ceremony be postponed until later in
the evening and that the witness be per-
mitted to continue his testimony. This
being agreed to Supervisor Rottanzi asked
the entire cost of pipe lines, pumps, tun-
nels, ETC., used in supplying the City with
water from the Alameda and Calaveras
watersheds. He demanded not detailed
statement, but the total cost of these con-
structions.
The witness replied that the amount
charged to pipe lines was 81, $50, 869 80.
DR.. Rottanzi-f the Crystal Springs
dam were raised to the height you stated.
would the Alameda supply be necessary?
He further demanded the supply in 1877
The witness. replying to the last query
stated that at the beginning of April, 1877,
the company had on hand in all its res
ervors 3, 796, 600 900 gallons. The daily
supply at hat date was II, 100000
did Charles Webb Howard swear that
this could be relied upon2" asked Super
visor Rottanzi.
That's queer question" replied Mr.
Schussler. HAS he made different state
ment of the amount?'
II believe you stated" continued Rot
tanzi, that you could supply from the
existing works. 10000, 900 gallons daily"
NEW Tn.nAv1