The San Francisco call., 1898-03-04
STILL PROBING
 THE SCANDAL Grand Jury Examines With neSSeS on w ater
 Rates. Thousands Will Attend the Council Meeting Next
 Monday. The Army and Navy League Calls a Meeting to Discuss the
 Situation.
Oakland Office San Francisco Call,

90S Broadway, March 5. l The investigation by the Grand Jury | into the City Hall scandals is grow | ing interesting. It is also growing wider in it's scope, and within the next ! couple of days many people will no doubt wonder why they are served with l subpenas.
 To-day ex-Judge Prick, T. E. Pope, Council man Rowe, w. B. c. de F'rem- cry, Harry Thomas, secretary of the Board of Public Works, and The Call correspondent were before the jury in answer to subpenas.
 Little by little the tale is being told of how the water rates were fixed and of how they were set aside. The reSig- nation of Fibush, the appointment of Woodward and the various documents that have been presented to the City Council fixing water rates were under discussion, and tomorrow several more witnesses will be examined.
 A special meeting of the Army and Navy League will be held next Satur- day evening at Becker's Hall, and the principal subject to come before the members will be the actions of Mayor Thomas and Councilman Woodward. It
 
 part of the League to take snap judg- ment on either of the two officials. but that all grievances will be fully aired from both sides before any action is taken.
 There is now no hope that there will be any change in the vote of the Coun- cilmen next Monday night. The solid six have repeated over and over again that they will stand together, and there ;o,.N lN,rf 11of hnU IITili keep their word. The same is true of the other five members. Mayor Thomas repeats his assertion that he will veto the ordinance, and it is claimed by the companies that in such an event the resolution of February 21 will be the legal rates. AS there is no difference between this resolution and the amend ed ordinance now ping printed, it is a matter of indifference, so far as the public is concerned, which is legal. They both saddle the same rates on the city, and provide the same enormous income for the corporation.
 A sentiment not altogether unnatural is now spreading among the ratepayers. Two years ago, when the Dingee com pany was extensive enough for power full competition, thousands of ratepay- CTS deserted the old company and went to the new for the purpose of getting lower rates. Now, that they realize that there are two feet on their necks instad of one, many are returning to the old company, not because they like it any better than they did, but be- cause they like the new company, which has taken the more active part in putting through the eXorbftant sche dule, less.
 Next Monday night an exciting time is expected. The water companies will muster their forces at the City Hall for the purpose of protecting their men should an outbreak occur, and there is no doubt that thousands of indignant ratepayers will also assemble. The feel ing of the people can best be judged by the fact that last night it was re- ported that the Council was holding meeting, and in a few minutes hun dreds of people had focked to the City Hall and would not believe that the report was wrong.