The San Francisco call., 1898-02-13
Six Supervisors Declare They Are Against Any Increase
 in the Water Rates.
The Other Six Waiting for More sTesti= mony" and Unwilling to Say How
 They Will Vote.

There seems every reason for believ- ing that the people of San Francisco will win in their effort to resist the an- nual assault of the Spring Valley Wa ter Company. The corporation, as usual, desires an increase of the rates It would exact from consumers enough to make it's gains more than per cent on the investment, and per cent is considered all that can justly be de- manded. In fact, consumers here pay more than asked in other places. For time 1t was feared that the company had won, or otherwise secured, the SUD- port of a majority of the Supervisors. but 1t has not Six of the twelve de- clare that there shall be no increase, while the views of the Mayor are well understood. So, unless Spring Valleys representatives have cards up their sleeves, their fight is lost. It is true that some Supervisors are still waiting for something they designate as "testi- mony." but the other six make their declarations against an Increase, and do not leave themselves an opportunity to change to the side of the monopoly.
 While Spring Valley is begging for the privilege of getting more money from consumers a natural interest is being taken in the attitude of the vari- ous Supervisors. AS matter of fact the gentlemen who have the power to fix rates know the situation thorough ly. Their minds are already made up If the Spring Valley Company wishes to put up an expensive building, in it. olf nf ho toners pay for it, the Supervisors can see through the scheme, and no amount of talk, however smooth. can change their views. If stockholders are desir- ous of making more than per cent on an investment very little argument is required to establish their right to do so, or the reasons why they should not be permitted to do so. Hence when Supervisors declare they are waiting for more testimony people will wonder if 1t is the same sort of testimony they were looking for when they failed for so many months to find a fender to which they could lend or upon which they could otherwise bestow their ap- proyal. It is remembered that last year dire threats were made of things which were. to happen if rates were re- duced. It is also remembered that rates were reduced anu lIldl lue OiTe- full happenings have yet to put in an appearance. The word of the company was not made good then. Possibly it will not be made good this time. An opinion prevails that some of the Su- pervisors are unduly alarmed, or try to think they are scared, when they are not. It is interesting to note what the Supervisors say, and easy to judge from it where they stand. Here are a few excerpts from recent interviews:
 Supervisor Rivers-I will be en- tirely guided by the testimony and the facts adduced before the board.
 Whence is the testimony to come ? Who Is to stand sponsor for the facts?
 Supervisor Sheehan-I intend to live up to the pledge taken and I will be governed good deal by the rep resentations offered us during the in- quiry.
 Did Sheehan live up to his pledge last year? Also there is a curiosity as to the character of the representation