The San Francisco call., 1906-05-09
CITY MAY
BE GIVEN
WATERSHED
Reconstruction Body to
Consider Mountain Sup
ply Source.
Governor Discusses the
Matter Of Special
Session Call.
Spear Says HdrbOr Is in
Shape to Handle All
Shipping.

A most significant development in the
effort of San Francisco to secure au
adequate water supply has been made
to the committee on the reconstruction
Of San Francisco by James D. Phelan.
chairman OF the subcommittee on
finance. Mr.. Phelan informed the
committee that he had received word
from Washington that the Attorney
General had informed the Secretary Of
the Interior that it rested alone in his
discretion to grant reservoir sites. and
rights Of way In the Hetch Hetchy
Valley, the same being~Dart Of a na-
tiotsa3 parsl- '-
Mr.. Phelan pointed out that in view
OF this fact San Francisco was espe-
cially favored, by reason OF the fact
that such a grant to San. Francisco
would be free. This source of water
supply. Phelan continued. was agreed
upon by Engineers Grunslzy, Mendell
and Manson as the best and most
available supply San Francisco could
possibly obtain, and had the advantage
over all other sources in being free.
other sources being offered by private
parties who wished to enrich them
selves through the sale of their rights
to the city. This question will be
given thorough investigation by the
committee on reconstruction
At yesterdays meeting OF the COM
mittee Governor Pardee and President
Spear of the Board OF Harbor Com
missioners ! were present. Mayor
~, e.
that the chief executive OF the State
was present he would call upon those
present to make any suggestions they
could as to questions relating to the
proposed special session OF the Legis-
lature and upon the improvement of
the harbor front and docks.
Garret McEnerney said that some
sections OF the State had expressed a
desire to have a cessation Of the legal
holidays, but that it was the wish Of
this city that should the Governor de-
eide to discontinue them San Fran
cisco should be given a weeks notice
that all might prepare for the changed
conditions; that banking, commercial
and contractuaI rights might be pro-
tected. Governor Pardee answered that
his purpose in declaring holidays was
solely to protect these interests, and
stated that he would give all ample
time IN which to prepare should he
decide to discontinue them. He fur
ther stated that the Legislature might
meet while the legal holidays were still
in force. his statement containing the
suggestion that he viii call the Legis-
lature to meet and make such legisla-
ton as may be necessary before he
throws down the bars to legal action
now stayed by the holiday proclama-
ton.
| Charles 8. Spear. president OF the
Board Of Harbor Commissioners, re-
assured the committee by stating that
for all practical purposes the harbor
front Is practically intact. While he
estimated that 1t would take s70o. .Oc0
to repair the damage wrought by
earthquake and fire. he said the front
could now place 100000 tons in transit
yearly, which was only a triie less
4 than the capacity OF the front before
the disaster. 1t Is the purpose. he
pointed out, to extend the belt road
and make other improvements In the
future. but for the present emergency
the front is In good working condition
and has been since three days aftar
the earthquake. Spears remarks were
enthusiastically applauded.
The splendid action Of the Canadian
Parliament IN making a direct tender
Of 100000 to the relief committee after
the same had been rejected by The
State Department aroused enthusiasm
The tender was accepted with th'
thanks OF the committee and the Do
j minion Government viii be tmmsdiats-