The San Francisco call., 1906-12-27
Mott May Become Head
of Water Company
Offered Presidency
Of New Peoples
Corporation

OAKLAND, Dec. 26-Mayor Frank
X. Mott has been offered the presi-
dency of the new Peoples Water Com
pany, which on January. 2 will take
over the Contra Costa Water Company
and the Syndicate Water Company.
The Mayor has the proposition under
consideration and has not decided
whether he will accept what is under
stood to be a most ffattering recosni-
tion of his high ability and popularity
In this city.
Details of the tender are withheld
both by the Mayor and by the con-
trolling interests of the new company.
Mayor Mott said today that until he
had finally made up his mind and had
given a decision to the company he
would refuse to discuss the subject in
any way. He has had Ii under earnest
consideration for several days and
considers, he declares. the matter as
not matured sufficiently to permit go
ing into details.
Motifs confirmation of the report
that the offer to become the executive
head of the company has placed him
in an enviable position. He holds the
confidence of the community as few
men in public or In private capacity
have won the respect and esteem of
the people of this city. His political
IutuFSs 50 IdI dS Ills Ten0IlttdtlOH anu
reelection as Mayor are concerned.
is assured.
AFTER THE MAYORALTY
1t is undoubtedly true that Mayor
Mott will complete his term of Office,
ending March 81. If he shall decide to
accept the position of president of the
new company. Upon that hypothesis
the political centers have been stirred
today by the report that the Mayor
will not be a candidate for reelection
With Mott out of the way there will be
scramble for nominations up and
down the line.
DR.. H. B. Mehrmann. one of the most
popular and aggressive men in political
life. is an avowed candidate for the
Republican nomination for Mayor. pro-
yided Mott does not run Edwin Meese,
one of the best Councilmen who ever
sat in the City Hall, is a candidate un-
der the same contingency.
Outside of the present political as
pect the linking of Mayor Motifs name
with the new water company lends
added interest to the change in owner
ship of the old Contra Costa Water
Company which for many years con-
trolled the supply of water and also
took an active concern in the political
affairs of Alameda County. 1t is
strongly limited in circles close to the
HN" WQtCt SOhipdHy tidt Tile COHtiOi
of 1t will adopt new policy in regard
to its relations with the municipality
The suggestion has been strongly put
that one of the reasons why Mott was
asked to become president was that he
contended for high principle of opera
tion in all of his public and private
dealings
HISTORY OF THE DEAL
The Peoples Water Company is con-
trolled by interests largely connected
with the Realty Syndicate and its allied
corporations. The negotiations which
led to the sale of the Contra Costa
Water Company were commenced
shortly after the opening early this
year of a contest In Contra Costa
County between the old company and
the Syndicate Water Company for con-
troll of the watershed and the dam
site on San Pablo Creek, Wild Cat
Creek and tributaries. The Syndicate
Company was aggressive. After get
ting possession OF favored natural To-
cation for dam on San Pablo Creek
the Contra Costa Water Company re-
taliated with injunction suits and these
were followed by rapid charge and
counter-charge of law suits attacking
title to lands in dispute and fairly
overwhelming the Contra Costa County
courts with litigation.
In the midst of all this legal turmoil
the interests involved got together. The
syndicate people. represented by r. E.
Havens, Frank Nj. Smith, Louis Titus
of Berkeley and others. got into touch
with William J. Dingee. president of
the Contra Costa Water Company, and
a deal was closed. The Peoples Water
Company was Incorporated by the syn
dicate interests to take over both COM
panies. This will take place January
2. Enough of the Contra Costa Water
Company stock to control will be taken
in on a cash payment of $50 share and
$50 share in per cent bonds of the
Peoples Water Company.
In his formal statement tonight con-
cerning the situation. Mayor Mott said:
1T is true that the presidency of the
Peoples Water Company has been ten
dered to me. l have the offer under
consideration. No decision has been
reached as to my acceptance or rejec-
tion of the proposition. am therefore
not in a position at this time to say
what action I shall take"