The San Francisco call., 1898-05-17

Supervisor Rivers had charge of the job. and so stealthily and craftily did he per form his work that nobody suspected the finish was near at hand until the mat ter came up for action yesterday.
 Six weeks ago The Call drew the atten- ton of the public to the gigantic robbery that was about to be perpetrated, and about the same time a rival electric light company undertook to break in upon the monopoly by guaranteeing to save the city s40,0 a year If 1t were granted equal facilities with it's rival in the way of ex- tending its service to the outside districts.
 The contract would expire on May l, and The Call repeatedly warned the Su- pervisors that If they intended to be hon. est with the taxpayers they would have to act promptly in advertising for bids, in order that the new company might pre- pare to enter. upon its obligations in case It was awarded the contract. Attention was also called to the proposal under which the last contract was let. by the terms of which competition was effect ually choked off, and the Supervisors were cautioned against repeating the error.
 The Supervisor from the Twelfth final ly determined to bring the job to close, and soon after o'clock last Friday morn ing, before anybody who might interfere reached the hall, Rivers and the other members of the Street Lights Committee met and opened the lone bid of the San Francisco Gas and Electric Company, the only concern that could bid under the terms of the proposal, and quickly voted to recommend it's acceptance. The bids for gas lighting were also opened and the contract divided between the Pacific Gas Improvement Company and the San Fran cisco Gas and Electric Company, both bidding the same S1 90 per thousand feet
 Both recommendations were adopted yesterday, and so the electric light steal is perpetrated for two years more. But the agitation brought about some good, for the company reduced its rate from II to 10 cents, which is not bad consider ing that 1t supplies private consumers for 51b cents. Perhaps 1t intends to set it's meters still faster and make up the diff ference in that way. If 1t does it Is not Rivers and the other members of the ma jority.
 The Supervisors also passed the reso- lution changing the name ot e.a Balboa 3, strong opposition of Clinton, who upon final passage changed his vote from no to aye, and gave notice Of motion to reconsider next week.
 The contract for printing the delinquent tax list was laid over for week The Journal of Commerce, the lowest bidder. had withdrawn its bid of 21 cents name and the Supervisors regarded the bid of the Report, 40 cents name, as exorbi- tant. However, the majority voted though the Mayor showed there was am pie time to do so, and next week the con- tract will undoubtedly be awarded.
 
 Home property was taken up again. and Iackmann's motion renewing the lease to the Ladies' Seaman's Friend Society pre- vailed.
 The board adopted resolution agree ing to save the State from any costs that may arise from the suit to be brought against the Fidelity and Trust Company of Maryland to recover sl00,000, the amount of ex-Treasurer Widber's bond guaranteed by that company.
 Expert Newman, of the Finance Com mittee was instructed to examine the records of the criminal departments of the Superior Court for the purpose of ascer- tafning the amounts still due witnesses and jurors who have served since the passage of the flee bill
 Bills were received for the burial of in- digent dead as follows; eIe vnc, Pacifie o Under & Co.,. $8 %; J. s. Godeau, $S 99: Edward Kelly, SS O5; McAvoy & Co.,, $9 55.