The San Francisco call., 1898-02-01

report contains no new facts and none
 that are of any importance in so far as shedding light on the all-important
 questions concerned. Among other
 things the committee says in it's re- port:
 There has never been any doubt as to the wishes of the people in this matter; their attitude has been positive and un- eQuivocal for municipal ownership, and no act of Council, legal advisers, engineer or committee can be honestly interpreted to mean anything but complete acquies- cence to this demand. If more radical action has been declined from time to time, 1t has been done in obedience to legal barriers and with the one object of avoiding complications which would avail naught but to defer the actual ac- qufrement of municipal ownership.
 As a business man in the conduct of his practical affairs entrusts all legal Ques- tions to competent advisers, so those now in authority In municipal affairs have deemed it but justice to the citizens whose interests they represent to make of this matter a legal rather than polit- ical contest At all times have the legal advisers of the city been fully consulted.
 The report of the committee, which contained absolutely nothing of any value. was filed. The water supply committee. 1t will be noted has placed all responsibility for inactivity and de- lay upon City Attorney W. E. Dunn. The Citizens Committee proposes to see to 1t that MT. Dunn does something more from now on than look wise when it comes to taking action on the water question. MT. Dunn has all along claimed that he was with the people In this contest, but he has not up to date availed himself of the opportunity of going on record very strongly in that direction.
 In this matter of trifing with the rights of the city the people of Los Angeles have already had a costly ex- perience. If F. M Nickell, the present chairman of the Council committee on water supply, had voted as he agreed to in the City Council in 1892 the city would now own the Hooker -Pomeroy head works site and the long and ex- pensive litigation that is pending to get that site for the city would have been avoided. But Nickell cast his vote so that the title to the head works land was clouded, and now the city will be compelled to pay large money for his mistake, which has resulted in great benefit and advantage to the water company. This is one of the reasons the people look with suspicion on Nickell now.
 The water company to-day submitted to the Council it's annual statement as to its business. It is as follows:
 For a period of twelve months, from November l. 1S96 to October 31, 1897. Re ceipts-Material sold, 80 76; service con- nection, S15.S05; rent of house, S96; water rents, s407 ,7S7 s9; total, s4245 590 65 Ex- penditures-Generalc construction account, $104, ,364 27; expense account, s104 ,633 08; maintenance accounts. s107, ,625 52; interest account. s33, ,957 84 bills payable, s10 000; oil well and tank, s2, ,737 43; Los Feliz con- nection account. 1920 76; dividend account S74 400; total, s43S, ,638
 This statement as to expenses is graphic in it's generalities. The three items of general construction, mainten- ance and expense, which cover s315, ,00O, are certainly very indefinite
 Tomorrow ex-Mayor Henry T. Haz- ard will designate the committee of nine on municipal water supply, and it will at once proceed to endeavor to ob- tain some action at the hands of the Council The Aldermanic body is now looked upon with suspicion, but If it can be persuaded to do something in behalf of the people the general pub lie will applaud, even if the syndicated dailies fail to realize the importance of the action taken.
 Ernest Abs Hagan, the civil engineer,