The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1899-12-15
STREET IMPROVEMENT
and
CITY WATER WORKS
Continued From Third Page.)

cities have not provided FOR street improve
ments in their charters the Legislature may
do so. II becomes important, then, 20 all
charter cities. as well as other municipali-
ties OF this State. provided they have no
system OF street Improvement laws in the
charters themselves. 20 either amend their
charters before the meeting OF the next
Legislature. so as 10 adopt some system
OF street Improvement, or 20 extend all
their influence 70 have fair statutes passed
by the Legislature upon this subject.
II is conceded, ] think. that no one sys-
tenn OF apportionment Is entirely satistac-
tory in every locality. and IL is only rea-
sonable TO say that even In the same city
system is found entirely satisfactory
for every piece OF street work that may be
necessary.
1t seems to me that system OF street
improvements should be adopted by the
Legislature by which the governing body
Of city may adopt any one OF the plans
which have been in vogue in California in
the past in street Improvement or other
plans which may be suggested by which
street improvement may be done. The
widest liberty should be given 20 the cities
themselves IN the matter OF street improve
ment. Giving the matter into the hands OF .
the cities themselves and permitting them
20 have a wide choice OF methods will In
time justify the statement that the city
can take care OF it's own affairs.
The remainder OF the morning session
was devoted TO a discussion OF this
paper. City Attorney Guy r. Kennedy
Vrooman act. which had proved a failure
in his town. He favored a plan that
would allow the Board Of Trustees 10
carry on street Improvements, even
He suggested the appointment by The
OF committee TO draft a law
10 that effect 10 take the place OF the
Vrooman act. City Attorney Yorke Of
Napa took the same general view. Street
c. W. Finch Of Riverside
had no kind words for the Vrooman act.
which he had found to be Intellectual.
He favored the right OF the property
nrOtegt 10 CNrfai0 limit
and a district assessment system as
means 10 the end OF street Improvement.
Mayor Eaton Of Los Angeles was rot
in his comments on the work.
ings Of the present street law In Los An
geles One trouble he had found with Il
was that Il allowed men with political
pulls TO take charge of work Of which
OF protest he said: Il think property
owners ought to have the right TO pro-
test, because very often contractors for
was no right OF protest they would work
many jobs through city councils"
Of Palo Alto, Mayor Eaton
the lines OF the old Los Angeles charter
should work well.
Joseph Spinney OF the Fresno Board of
Trustees proposed plan OF street assess
prevail. He advised that each city should
ascertain at the beginning OF each fiscal
year how much street work was contem-
plated for that year, and raise the money
for II in the tax levy and create a special
fund.
Joseph Hutchinson said that a plan
similar 10 that advocated by Mr.. Spintey
had been tried successfully in battling
said the objection TO the Vrooman act
lay In the fact that II appeared az II
money was being taken from their
pockets 10 pay for public improvements
W. A. Hale of Martinez, Bernard Bien-
enfield of this city. w. II. Turner of Nor
ced and Trustee Sweet OF Santa Rosa All
made suggestions on the general lines OF
discussion. On motion of Mr.. Hutchinson
the chair was directed TO appoint a com
mittee TO draft a new bill for street worII
which, after ratification by the conven.
ton. should be presented to the Legis-
lature.
w. A. Hale introduced the following
resolution, which was referred to the ex
ecutive committee:
Resolved. That the legislative conr,,,-
tee be directed TO prepare n bill. the pur-
pose OF which Will be TO exempt the gen
eral business enterprises within Incorporated
cities from the payment Of licenses 10 the
counties.
AT the afternoon session the convar,,o,,
listened 10 many interesting discourses on
the experiences OF cities that owned and
operated their own water works. Each
speaker was an advocate of municinai
ownership and based his approval az tba
on his knowledge of the bena-
fits he claimed IL has been to the com
President Sweet of the Santa Rosa Tr,1s.
tees. President Druffel OF the Santa Clara
Trustees, Professor Marx OF Palo Alto
and City Trustee Sorenson OF Modesto
talked on the subject The remarks Of
Mr.. Sorenson were emphasized with a
natural wit that took the wrinkles out
OF the faces OF the sedate gentlemen who
preside over the destinies of the cities OF
the State.
Trustee Sweet described in detail the
difficulties his city had gone through IN
establishing its water plant and the cir