The San Francisco call., 1898-02-15
Decided to Allow the Water Rates Existing to Remain as
 They Are.
Hard Fight Was Made by the Minority of the Board Save the City the One Hundred and Fifty Thousand Dollars
 Which the New Figures Will Cost It.

T have been told 1t was 1000 shares" " replied Schussler.
 When was it issued?'
 T have been told since the new year, was the answer.
 Is the company paying interest on the same?"
 T understand it Is proposed to do so"
 That's all." and Schussler, with a sigh of relief, took a seat by the side of Attorney Kellogg.
 If there is nothing new to be brought up," suggested Dr. Dodge, i've might excuse the witnesses subpenaed here'
 Have you anything else to offer?" asked Dr. Clinton of Attorney Kellogg.
 Nothing" he replied. "We have presented our case"
 Dodge then moved that the commit tee take up the discussion of the sched- ule of rates and Britt seconded the mo- ton.
 The majority report of the Committee on Water and Water Supplies signed by Britt, Morton and Rivers. was then read by Clerk Russell. It was as fol- lows:
 To the Honorable t..e Board of Super visors of the City and County of San Fran cisco-Gentlemen: Your Committee on Water and Water Supplies begs leave to state that the annual statement of the Spring Valley Water Company has been examined and consideration given to that statement which shows that the actual increase on the income of said company over that of last year is only S5948, show ing clearly the effect of the resolution ing and fixing the rates for the year com mencing July 1. 1897. Notwithstanding inc increased income from the city and county and from water rates, and al-
  hXed are for period of six months, the result has exclusively shown that the said resolution has materially reduced the income of the company
 The investigation last year was pro- longed, and very fully presented the questions that were to be adjudicated
 The fact that every indication points to a dry winter and the consequent ex- pense entailed by reason thereof in pump ing water to the high levels for the pro- lection of life and property and to afford be lost sight of, and while your corcmittee does not feel justified in recommending any increase in the rates, yet every considera- tlon induces your committee not to cur tall the revenue of the company, as the works must be adequate at all times 10 furnish such supply of water as may be required for the use of the inhabitants and for protection against fire.
 As stated. the actual revenue of the company was $594S for the year 1897 in excess of the year 1o96 and certainly no gOod reason appears to warrant disturb ing or changing the rates heretofore established.
 Your committee has considered the communication from the Spring Valley Water Works for an increased allow ance for pumping and the construction of additional works, and is opposed to and report against making any additional al- loWance, as the company has 1t in it's power to regulate it's expenditures and by this power to determine the amount of the interest to be paid on the stock of the company.
 A majority of the members of your com. mittee, believing that any further post ponement of this question may be taken advantage of and place the board in an anomalous position, are, therefore of opinion, and so report, that the rates charged and collected for the year com mencing July 1. 1897, be stablished as the rates to be charged for the year com mencing July l. 1898, and that a resolu- tion embodying said rates be adopted by your honorable board.
 Dodge moved that the report be di- vided into two sections. Let us first vote on the adverse report to the granting of the request of the water company concerning the pumping sta tions," said he.
 There was no objection, but before proceeding the minority report, signed by Drs. Dodge and Clinton, was also read.
 Chairman Clinton ruled that the mil