The San Francisco call., 1908-05-26
LAW CUTS PHONE
RATE MATERIALLY
Ordinance Will Save Each Sub
scriber About Two Dollars
Monthly

The ordinance regulating the rates to
be charged by the telephone company
during the coming fiscal year was
passed to print by the supervisors yes
terday by votesof Il to I. Supervisor
McAllister voting against 1t, and
Sachs and Stafford absent. The ordi-
nance, which was originally introduced
by Murphy, will make an average re-
duction of about So in the monthly
bills of subscribers.
Murphy presented figures to show
that the proposed rates would allow
the telephone company about per
cent on an investment of $6,818,692, in
stead of less than 6 per cent, as the
officials of the corporation alleged. He
said that the committee had figured to
allow the company 6la per cent, and
had estimated on an increase of 1000
telephones during the year. The at
torneys for the company had STATED,
however, that there would be 10000
new phones installed. and if their fig
ures were correct Murphy said the
company would receive about 9 per
cent interest.
AMENDMENT CARRIES
McLeran said that he had voted
against the ordinance last week be-
cause a provision giving subscribers
having private exchanges the right to
select their own operators had been
eliminated. He then introduced an
amendment to the effect that there
should be no restriction on the right
of subscribers to furnish their own
operators for private exchanges. pro-
viding the operators would observe
all fair rules and regulations Of the
company.
This amendment was adopted, Jen-
nings voting in the negative.
Johnston presented an amendment re-
quiring the company to install phones
within 80 days after notice in build
ings situated not more than 800 feet
from any overhead or underground
telephone wire. The. amendment was
accepted without debate.
McAllister argued against the pro-
posed rates. claiming that they were
too low to permit of the company re-
ceiving a fair return on it's invest
ment, while Gianninf was equally posi-
tive that the schedule was fair and
reasonable.
MAKES PLEA FOR COMPANY
Pollok thought that the company
should be given an opportunity to re-
habilitate itself and that if any error
was committed ii should be on the side
Of conservatism. He. then moved that
the proposed reductions in the ordi-
nance be halved
McAllister seconded the notion
which was vigorously opposed by Clan
mini and Murphy. 1t was lost by the
following vote:
Ayes-Broderick .Comte,. McAllister
Murdock, Pollok.
Noes-Bancroft, Booth. McLeran
Rixford, Center. Johnston. Hooks. Jen-
nings, Murphy, Giannini. Payot-11. ~
A motion to pass the ordinance to
print, with the McLeran and Johnston
amendments was carried.
LIQUOR LAW PASSED
The Murdock ordinance imposing a
license of $50 a quarter on persons
selling liquor In sealed packages OF
one quart and less than five gallons
was finally passed by the supervisors
yesterday, after McLeran had made an
Intellectual attempt to have the tax re-
duced to 800.
The vote was as follows:
Ayes-Booth. McLeran. Bancroft, Nc
Allister, Rixford, Pollok, Johnston
Jennings, Murphy. Murdock, Payot-11.
Noes-Broderick. Center, Comte
Giannini, Hocks-5.
there will be is members present. was
the reply.
As it is known that Sachs did not
sail from New York until April 20 and
that he was in Germany a few days
ago, 1t would be impossible for him to