The San Francisco call., 1898-02-12
Engineer SChussIer Tells His Annual Story to the Super=
 Visors==Pumps and Pipe.
Spring Valley Asks for the Adoption of a Schedule That Will Increase the Vast
 Revenue of the Corporation.

The Supervisors yesterday listened to the old story told by Chief Engi- neer Schussler of the Spring Valley Water Works. He spoke of tunnels projected, of pumping plants in pros pect and presented items of proposed improvement aggregating in expense $500. 900. Reinforced by Attorney Kel- logg and Secretary Pelham w. Ames, the engineer. advanced the notion that the city ought to allow, in fixing the water rates for the year, interest on this contemplated outlay of nearly a million dollars. A question or two dropped in by Supervisor Britt indicat- ed to the student of monopoly that great stress is to be laid on the employ rnent of labor to bore the tunnels and erect the pumping works. The infer ence is thrown out at the start that this labor will not be engaged if Spring Valley has to pay for it, but will be employed for the advantage of the water corporation if the city consents to foot the bills.
 When the Supervisors were called to order Mayor Phelan made a short ad- dress to the members. He mentioned ger cent as the rate of interest which should not be exceeded in calculating the income which the corporation should derive. The Mayor also re- marked that the company during the past year had issued new stock to the value of $500, 900 without the consent of the Board of Supervisors. In cOnclu- sion the Mayor said that the board was peldged by its own acts and by a party pledge not to allow more than per cent interest on the capital of the com pany.
 On motion of Supervisor Rottanzi the board went into committee of the whole with Supervisor Clinton in the chair.
 Dr. Clinton spoke of having visited many large cities during his recent ab- sence. lie had given some attention to the subject of water supply and the cost thereof. He was convinced that the people of San Francisco were pay ing 50 per cent more for water than was paid by the people of any other large city. The public looked to the Board of Supervisors for justice and relief.
 Supervisor Rottanzi suggested that there should be an investigation re- lating to the recent issue of 1000 shares of stock by the Spring Valley corpora ton.
 Supervisor Britt desired a report from the Water Committee on a com munication from the company recent ly submitted to the board.
 Dr. Clinton promised that a report would be presented to the next regular meeting of the board.
 Herman SchusSler, chief engineer of the water company, was called to en- tighten the board on various topics. The ceremony of administering the oath to MT. Schussler was not solemn ly impressive. Responding to a quick fire of questions, he remarked that the k % shares of stock were issued to pro- Eide money to improve Lake Merced and other sources of water supply. Some of the money was used to re- model the city system of pipes and some of it went into the new building at the corner of Geary and Stockton streets.
 Supervisor Dodge remarked: Tt is now time for MT. Schussler to advance reasons, if he can, why the water rates should be increased. I thought last year that the rate to householders would not give the reduction promised. Six months experience has taught me that the reduction is insignificant"
 Supervisor Britt fancied that MT Dodge was taking up the time of the board in speechmaking when the mem bers were particularly desirous of hear ing from MT. Schussler
 The report of the company showing the receipts from all sources was read.
 MT. Schussler-The city is constantly growing, and the quantity of water supplied is ever increasing, so there may be great reduction in rates, and still the receipts will show as large as ever.
 Supervisor Dodge contended that there was still an unexplained discrep- ancy in the figures.
 Attorney Kellogg asked the engineer what was the estimated increase of current expenses for this year.
 MT. Schussler replied that S70,0 900 for pumping was one item. We are now erecting two large pumping stations. There was great waste of water last year. These two pumping works, to- gether with the others mentioned, will cost large sum of money to operate" :"
 Responding to MT. Kellogg, the en- gineer said the contemplated expendi- ture in construction account this year would be fully $500, ,000 'The last year was the most wasteful we ever had D
 Reference was made by Supervisor Dodge to MT. Schussler's former est1- mates of the capacity of Crystal Springs reservoir and his assurance that it y seasons. Tn the light of the supply all ready acquired the Supervisor wanted to know why so much money was need ed for further development.
 Mr. Schussler replied that he was very proud of the reservoir, as it would save the city from calamity this year.
 Supervisor Dodge wanted to know why $900,00 was necessary before we had a dry season.
 MT. Schussler said the company must be ready for any emergency. He could not tell yet whether more rain would fall. Tn 1SS7-8S we averted a calamity by the use of the Alameda Creek sup ply Had we neglected to reinforce the system then, we would not now have fourteen thousand million gallons in Crystal Springs Reservoir"
 The engineer explained that the ex- tra cost of pumping was caused by the waste of people who inhabit the higher levels.
 Supervisor Dodge observed that the engineer last year advocated a free use of water or it's use in large quantities. He regretted that the city should be
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