The San Francisco call., 1897-03-04
THE FACTS NOT
FOR THE PUBLIC
The Water Company De.
mands a Pledge of
Secrecy,
But the Supervisors Are Not
Disposed to Comply Off
Hand.
Private Conference Yesterday-The
Board Will Meet Again To.
Morrow Evening.

1he supervisors met by appointment
yesterday morning at the private Office OF
Charles Webb Howard, president OF the
Spring Valley Water Works Company, for
the purpose of hearing the company's
reasons Tor declining to answer certain
questions recently propounded by the
board as committee of the whole. The
conference was strictly private, repre-
sentatives of the press being excluded. 1t
was learned, however, that the officers OF
the company would not retreat from their
original position. which was that the
board might acquire any information il
desired If the members would pledge
themselves not to divulge the same 10 the
public. The ground taken by the com.
pany was that the publication of details,
with respect more particularly to the
present valuation of real and personal
pr operty and the holders of stock, would
rebound to the injury not only OF the
company, but of the public generally. The
Supervisors refused to assume the respon-
sibiity of accepting the company's infor-
| nation under any such conditions with
out further deliberation as a board, and
adjourned. there fore, to meet again at the
City Hall tomorrow evening at 1880.
An invitation extended 10 the Supervi-
sors by President Howard to visit the
company's works on Saturday morning
was accepted.
In discussing the result of the conferen ce
DR.. Clinton, the chairman OF the Water
and Water Supply Committee, said:
They have already given us detailed
| list OF expenditures under various head
! ings which Will be taken up at the next
meeting, when an attempt will be made to
! find out the meaning OF each item. The
company is willing to answer every one of
our questions under a seal of secrecy, but
IL claims that to make public its replies to
| certain questions would initiate not only
against the best interests of the company
but also of the City. It will be for the
| board to decide, as q board, whether this
/ is valid excuse or not.
| when the company determination was
! first made known 10 the Water Committee
we so reported to the board being quite
unpTepared to comply with such de-
mand. 1t was moved and carried at the
last meeting of the board that the Super
visors should meet to-day as committee
OF the whole to bear the com pany's reasons
for refusing detailed replies to our ques-
tons. We were also to consider whether
these were valid reasons and of sufficient
importance TO justify the assertion that
the publication of such information would
be detrimental 10 the City.
The company took the same ground
to-day. The first question relative to ex-
penditures incurred under operating
expenses includes information concern
ing the amounts expended for SAL
aries, legal expenses, recent purchases,
etc., and part of this they may or may
not refuse to disclose. The second Ques-
ton regarding taxes paid in different
counties and the assessed value OF the
company's properly they have answered
in writing. To enumerate the remaining
questions:
"Third-Of the real property owned by
the company used in the supply OF water,
location, the original cost and its present
valuation.
This has already been answered in
part The present valuation, however
they refuse to give on the ground that the
Assessors in the different counties would
ably increase their assessments,
which would hurt the public as much
as the company. They also contend that
it would be impossible in the absence of
The necessary data to give the original
cost OF real property.
"Fourth-Ot Improvements owned by
the company and their valuation.
1.-THE same objection holds good in this
case. They will give US list of improve
ments, but may possibly refuse to give US
the valuation; similarly with resp ct to
the next question as to the company's
personal property. The next four ques-
tons they Will answer, viz:
"Sixth-Of the pumping plants. loca-
ton, capacity, valuation, condition and
the cost of maintenance.
"Seventh-Of the amount of water
drawn from and furnished from different
sources and supplied TO this City and
County.
"Eighth-Of the amount paid on ac-
count of new construction and for per-
manent improvements.
"Ninth-Of the amount of bonds issued
ana outstanding and the tie of interest
paid thereon.
The company will give US the amount
of stock issued, but declines to divuge
the names of the stockholders for the
reasons previously mentioned. The last
quest ton, relative to the amount of bonds
and stocks sold during 1896 and the
amount realized thereon, they WILL no
doubt, answer.
1.-The majority of the Supervisors would
not consent to receive the information
under pledge of secrecy. and as the off,
GERS refused to give it without that pledge,
we adjourned to report to the board and
ask for further instructions on Friday