The San Francisco call., 1904-03-01
NINETY CENTS is RATE
BOARD FIXES FOR GAS
Supervisors Order Substantial Reduction in
Cost to the People of Illuminating Fluid.
Re-enact the Contested Water Ordinance

The Supervisors last night by a vote
of 10 to fixed the gas rate for the
next fiscal year at 80 cents a thousand
cubic feet, as against 81 20 for the year
just closing. This decision was arrived
at after deliberations extending over
several days, during which time mass
of evidence was taken and the records
encumbered with figures in which mil
lions were as plentiful as flowers In
spring.
The meeting yesterday morning was
thrown open to any that might wish to
make complaints. but only two pro-
testants appeared. One of these claimed
his bills are higher now than they were
when gas was sold at 81 a thousand
The other was a woman who keeps an
apartment-house and considered her
bill exorbitant. None of the improve
ment clubs were represented.
This rate of 80 cents is the lowest
ever fixed in San Francisco. Regarding
the rate President Bourn of the San
Francisco Gas and Electric Company
addressing the Supervisors, said:
wish to do nothing but call attention TO
the figures already given The rates OF the
Equitable have been quoted. and we can snow
that we actually make IL cheaper than the
Equitable did as the figures quoted for 1t
were unfair as they were only for one month.
We have kept all the promises we have made
and reduced the price below the maximum
placed by you There has been consideraple
talk OF people being dissatisfied You met
this morning to hear the complalnants @ ano
what was the result? Two people came before
vou and said that their bills we're too high.
This we consider good showing.
WANTS THE OLD RATE.
ask you that the rate be fixed at 81 20
that we may be able to give fair return 10
The, company is selling gas at 81 at pres
ent chiefly to. get the good will Of the peo-
pie and increase the consumption Of gss. II
The consumption is increased sufficiently we
will be satisfed with a SI-rate. OF course 1t
is 10 our advantage to do this, as we wish
duce the rate TO so cents, II possible, to keep
out competition.
On being questioned by Mayor
Schmitz, Mr. Bourn said that at pres
ent. while the maximum rate is 81, ow-,
ing to certain old contracts the aver
age is 81 cents. At this rate the COM
pany is making a profit. but this, he
claims, is ashowing due chiefly to
bookkeeping. as. the depreciation ac-
count had not been charged up Gas.
he said cannot profitably be sold for
less than 81. and at least 212 per cent
should be set aside for depreciation.
As regarded competition. Mr.. Bourn
said the Independent Company could
hardly have been considered fair com
petitor. as it.. entered the field not so
much TO make money as to improve
the service: This, he said, 1t certainly
did. and the head of the company has
greatly benefited the public. He does.
not under present conditions consider
it possible for competitor to enter the
field and make money.
Attorney Samuel knight for the com
pany said:
We consider the present rates of the com
parry should be sustained. It has never been
the policy Of the company TO charge the traffic
all il would bear. AS a matter of fact, we
have not charged the full maximum and will
not do so in the future. provided the consump
-tion keeps up as IT, has been and the cost OF
labor and other supplies are not increased II
the anticipated raise in the cost Of oil. coal
and coke takes place and the concessions to-
workfnen are granted and proper depreciation
fund Is set aside. the cost of production VIII be
increased 10. cents on the thousand feet