The San Francisco call., 1899-04-22
Fruitless Discussion
Over Rates.
BISHOPS FLING AT PHELAN
DENIES MAYORS CLAIM THAT
RECENc ACTION HOLDS.
The Attorney Says the Idea That the
81 10 Rate Cannot Be Rescirded
Emanates From a Dis
eased Brain"

The Supervisors held Yesterday what
they were pleased TO term an investiga-
uon of the gas question. Like others
they have held recently il was barren Of
result being rethrashinr of old straw.
After two hours session the minority
members said the inquiry was farcical
ard that nothing advantageous to the
CIV could come out of IT, President
CT2ckett and other officers OF the San
francisco Gas and Electric Company
We're examined at considerable length.
oIt few additional facts were ELECTED.
-lr. Crockett testified that the cost of gas
delivered was 81 G5 37-l0J
w nen Mayor Phelan called the meet
.Hs L. order there were but two mem
N-- q rue BOARD abSent-MeSSTS. Collins
ana Ia -AIaan The board at once re-
S.-.eI ll-elI into committee Of the whole,
Wit1 Supervisor Phelps as chairman Su
LrlF-~Ct halDen. who, head of the
street Light Committee. should have
welded tlr EaNel, had enough of il the
previous day and gave-way TO his asso-
g-ate- Mayor Phelan, who acted as chief
l12Lsit1F- opened proceedings with a
general review oI'all the board had done
- solve the gas question. He held to the
opinion. "leh ne expressed the day be-
--FV- lla- the law permitted the fixing
o. rate 10 he charged for gas but once
year As the board had, he claimed, by
resolution determined upon a rate of 81 10
par thousand cubic feet. il could take no
turther action for another year He be-
.e.ea JAls 10 be a good law and. that
!. would stand. In the absence Of any
opinion from City and County Attorney
Lane, he thought il safe to presume that
% be the law.
II the gas company believes that rate
Will not compensate il on the real value
or us property, he said. lit can seek re-
dress lu the courts. While the matter is
pending there the householders need not
pay l-eE oiLls. which would ultimately
result in great loss 10 the company" He
re-eLeQ its officials should meet the
l'aEa nan way and agree 10 accept a
rate oI 81 -, the board waving any right
~ might have To q still lower rate. He
cited the ease OF Oakland, where the rate
pany ar 81 30 FOR light and 81 20 for heat
--i7 purposes Under these conditions ne
55aoggnJ q rate OF 81 - in this city would
% no Elo-e4ce 10 the interests of the San
i .alCiSco Gas and Electric COmpanv
Replying 10 Jne argument Of the MavOr
mat the city had legal advantage over the
g-tAlallt -dr. bishop said. The mem
gers u tlls board VIII not sit here and
SO Aeeq 10 the infamous proposition
l.a- yQG nave the gas company in hole
e-L vii IpFce II % sacrifice its prop
eftL- do not believe one member wants
[. Tx rate AZ q figure which viii injure
l-e property of the company The legal
point upon which so much stress has
g=en laid is NOT worth a snap 1t is far
rom Jqe truth that people. taking advan-
5= %, a lVehnicality. Will not pay their
MS 30 iarse body Of people want TO
eDen the company. No rate has heen
lSed by this board. because it mas re-
s.il4rA us ecuon- We dispute the right
et t1e board TO fix d rate but we want
everything done that is right Conditi0ns
here differ from those in the East All
the material that goes 10 make gas costs
more As fast as We can intelugentIv re-
llce the price we viii do so No one
wants peace and comfort more than we do
S-1- blSnop secuted the idea that the
e-arl once having by resolution. fixed
me rate at 81 10 per thousand feet could
nor change that figure for one year
The man who thinks the rate has been
lNel ar 81 I'D has a diseased mind" he
s4-l- u IS only the emanation Of a dis
t-e board has gained any legal advantage
-p 70 the present time in its controversy
with the gas company"
Mayor Phelan was the first to give pub
lcity 70 the idea that the board had
gained legal advantage In his bland
est tones ne asked to whom Attorney
.7.suop LeLe.Iea- -.-I7Ii -eA--Clty ana County At
torneE CresweN. whose opinion he had
quoted. Judge COffey, who gave the de-
ctsion originally, or himself.
Il referred 70 the man who thinks the
Ieye the rate was proposed by Supervisor
Holland said his Honor In the genera |
laugh that ensued the harsh remark Of
Mr- Bishop was apparently forgotten.
II was tltimated during the discussion
that the 81 ID rate had never legally been
passed. The minutes Of the meeting show
an amendment TO the existing ordinance
which nNes the price TO be charged at
81 = per thousand feet Representatives.
or the gas company claim that before il
can be adopted and become law il
must 20 through the usual course Of pass
ing 70 print. final passage and be signed
0F the Mayor. From this IL appears a
rev rate can be fixed at any time the
board decides To act.
In the subsequent discussion President
Crockett declined 10 present the books
~ the company in evidence, saying the
board had no right 10 them He thought
am abstract Of them would do as much
good.
Edward c. Jones. engineer for the gas
company. testified that gas cost approx
lnately - cents TO make and 80 cents ad-
Cltonal 70 deliver TO consumers. The to-
tai cost is 81 % 37-100. The net profit of
the Gas and Electric Company last year
was $3.50 CO.
The committee finally determined to
again refer the matter to the board next
Monday.