The San Francisco call., 1898-02-23
THE WATER SCANDAL IN OAKLAND

HE manner in which the water rates for the
 coming year have been fixed in Oakland and the sA circumstances under which the job done constitute one of the most serious municipal dals of the day. The very swiftness with which the work was accomplished is evidence that the outcome of scheme that could not bear the light of examination and discussion.
 resolution fixing water rates was submitted to the City Council some time ago and passed to print. That measure had been duly considered and in the main was fairly satisfactory as it provided about the same rates prevail. Suddenly on Monday night the ordinance was introduced which ma terially raises rates all classes of consumers of water, and without debate, without a pretense of time for consideration the new measure was adopted by vote of six to five.
 A peculiar feature Of the proceeding is the part played in 1t by the newly appointed member of the Iounci Mr. woodward. This gentleman SUD- posed to be the side of the people, but his prompt acuon Ill young Tor raise Tn the rates has naturally raised suspicion that he fixed by the companies beforehand, and that the retirement of Councilman Fibush to make way for him was part of pre- arranged plan
 Such at any rate is the impression produced on the minds of some of the Councimen themselves. for as soon as the vote was announced Councilman Girard IS reported to have said: Now our eyes are opened When he was appointed last week the new member stated in the public print that he was for the people and had no strings on him. We now see what people he meant We can now why Mr. Woodward was appointed"
 Inc new ordinance was carried through SO rapidly the members had no time to consider the full extent o1 the proposed raise. As soon as 1t was introduced It was referred to committee and was then reported Dack within hve minutes. As the resolution com prised about twenty pages of typewriter matter the committee could hardly have had time to read it much less digest it before reporting it. The newly appointed Woodward, together with w. w. Watkin- son, constituted majority of the swift working com mlttee and reported in favor of the resolution while the remaining member, MT. Upton was allowed no
 'e to make an adverse report further than what was required to write T emphatically dissent"
 It IS estimated that the new rates will allow the water companies revenue equal to 1a Der cent on ther investments The increased tax falls on the water supply everywhere, from hydrants used by the city to the tubs of private houses It is an act of spohaton as sweeping as 1t sudden It is not to De wondered that the consumnlation of such iob shouio have reused the indignation of good citizens and that Councilman Rowe should have protested against 1t as an insult to the Council"
 It IS gratifying to learn that the City Attorney con- siders the vote taken under such circumstances to he illegal The people of Oakland should certainly make determined and persistent resistance to sucb an outrage as this. It is about as insoent ioh ae mas ever been worked out in the face of the publc in the history o California Oakland ought to find some means ot defeating it. and also some means of nun;sb ing the Jobbers that designed it.