The San Francisco call., 1898-02-20

 GREY ANCES The Other Side of the Question Fully Set
 Forth. President of the Reduction Works Replies to Their
 Complaints.
The Crenaatory Not Responsible for the Increased Charges
 Demanded.

Ex-Mayor L. R. Effort, president o1 the Sanitary Reduction Works, was seen yesterday in relation to com plaints made by the scavengers of this city, in which they claim that since the establishment of the crematory they have been compelled to increase theii charges to householders from 50 to 100 per cent to meet the charges of the crematory.
 He said: Ut is not my purpose tc enter into any controversy with the scavengers of this city. l desire only to have the situation placed before the public 4n it's true light hoping thereby to show that we are not responsible for the increased charges made by the scavengers The franchise for the in cineration of the garbage of the city was granted us by the Board of Super visors about two years ago, ana the charges specifically set forth therein and have never been exceeded
 The following is contained in letter to the secretary of the Merchants As sociation and in measure covers the ground:
 Tn reply to your communication, con. corning complaints which have reacneC your association relating to certain exor' bitant increase in the charges or the scavengers for hauling away garoage, desire to say that the Sanitary Reduction Works are not responsible for any SucT increase, if there has been one.
 Prior to the introduction of an lnclnef. ator for the disposal Of garbage Tn tnls city. I ascertained by investigation thai the scayengers received about $3O.OO0 pel month for gathering the refuse and dis e pany about $40 per day for taking it from them and destroying 1t by hre, ol about S3500 per month. The receipts o1 the Sanitary Reduction Works for ere mating the garbage are matter of rec ord and may be ascertained by consult ing our books. 1 need not say that the latter are open at any time TOT the ln- spection of your association.
 I have been informed that the Scaven- gers have increased their charges form p to 100 per cent: If they have done so they are using the Sanitary Reduction Works for the purpose of extorting money from the public. The greatest in- crease necessary, if any, in order to en- able them to pay for burning their refuse should not exceed 20 per cent, which in most cases would not exceed or 10 cents per month for each householder
 It is the intention of the Sanitary Re duction Works to prevent eXtortion if possible. even if it Is compelled to em- ploy persons to collect the garbage it. self. In any event, l do not propose that the company shall be held responsible for whatever each individual Scavenger may choose to charge for gathering the gar bage. The fact is a very slight increase if any, in their rates will pay for burn ing the refuse of this city.
 MT. Ellert said further: "The city is interested in the crematory to the ex- tent of 3 per cent upon the gross re- ceiptS thereof, which he estimates will amount to about s500,000 during the term of the franchise, which is for fifty years. AS a matter of self-defense the reduction works are putting on large number of sanitary carts, and many contracts have already been made with householders and others for the col lection of garbage, cinders, etc. It is expected that the whole city will be covered within the next six months"