The San Francisco call., 1907-03-01
CITY SERES THE
PLANT OF SPRING
VALLEY COMPANY
Supervisors Take Action
Annulling Franchise of
, the Concern
WATER RATES FIXED
Charge for Gas Is Set at
Eighty-hve Cents a
Thousand Feet
STORM IN MEETING
Warm Words Exchanged by
Members Over Price
for Illur1inant,
WATER RATES FIXED
STORM IN MEETING

The ROGrd OF Supervisors met last
might and r~-enacted the ordinance of
1905. fixing tho water rates for the next
fiscal year and adopted a resolution de-
elarinc The franchises aud properties
of the sprirg Valley Na1er Company
forfeited and escherted 20 the city OF
san Fraacisco. because fhe company
had persisted fp eollecfinE under rhe
rates az riie c-sinsace Of 1a02 aud had
frsoke6 the aid ef the courts TO test
Tho validity of fse subseQuent rates
fixed b the succeeding Board OF super
sisors.
IT, bosr6 also enscted the exist
ing ordinance fxing the maximum rate
TO be charged FOR gas At IS cents per
1000 cubic feet. This action was taken
after heated discussion led by several
Supervisors who stood out for a seven
ty-hve-cenf rate. veiled insinuations
were made by some Of the members as
TO the reasons which prompted the
adoption OF the higher rate.
Previous 10 the public session the
board met in secret caucus 10 agree on
the rates. but The Supervisors locked
horns on the gas rate. and Boxton.
r Lonergan. Kelly, Harrigan. Corey. Nc
Cushin and Furey left the committee
room in disgust after they had failed
10 prevail on their associates 70 enact
the seventy flve-cent rate They were
recalled by the sergeant st arms. but
their associates would not be won over
70 the lower rate.
After the caucus had been IN progress
for nearly three hours the Supervisors
adjourned TO the sssembly-roon1 and the
water question was disposed Of with
. out the rancor and bad feeling that
marked the adoption or the gas rate.
REPORT OF COMMITTEE
The water committee fled a report
+ recommending the enactment OF the or
: dinance Of 1906 The report said in
/ part:
From the testimony sdduced during
the Investigation had before your hon.
orsblo board il appears that reduc-
ton Of 25 per centum was effected in
the rates collectible under the water or
dinance OF 1906 from those now being
coilecaed by tho Spring Valley Water
company under the ordinance OF 1902,
and although the Spring Valley Water
officials request >rhe restoration OF the
former rate OF 1902 nothing in the tes-
timony given. in the opinion OF your
committee. would warrant it TO recede
from the position taken one year ago
Your committee therefore recommends
the resdoption OF the water rates or
dinance OF 1906. and is Of the opinion
that II the schedule OF rates therein
specified are accepted BY the Spring
Valley Water Company. or any other
company engaged IN the business OF
supplying water IN the city and county
Of San Francisco. without recourse TO
litigation, that IT viii provide fair
ano equitable return upon its invest
ment OF properties
RESOLUTION Is ADOPTED
The following resolution was then
adopted IN consonance with the recon-
mendation Of the committee:
Where's. the Spring Valley Water Com
psny has persisted IN defiance Of law IN col
Aectine wafer rates In excess of those estab-
ushed By the Board Of Supervisors under and
pursuant 70 Ordinance No. I775. entitled 'Regu-
Isting the monthly rates of compensation 70 be
collected by any person. company or corpora
tion engaged IN the business Of supplying water
r. the Inhabitants Of fhe city and county Of
Ean Francisco for family uses for private pur-
poses. FOR municipal uses and all public purposes
Of ssid city and county for the year CON-
rnencinr Jur 4 1906 and ending June "a /
ieo7. passed March Ie. 1906 and approved
March 20 1906. and
Whereas Tho Constitution q the State OF