The San Francisco call., 1908-11-01
SENATOR'S SUPPORT
HFTCH HETCHY PLAN
Perkins and Flint INFORM Public
Utilities Committee They
viii Help
National Legislators Heartily
Indorse Project to Take
Water From Sierras

The strongest Endorsements Of the
.city's project to secure a Sierra water
supply in the Hetch Hetchy valley and
: In Lake Eleanor and the pledge to
work actively iD the city's behalf TO
have the grant of the secretary Of the
interior made perpetual by. act OF con-
gress at the coming session were re-
oeived by Supervisor Giannini as chair
man OF the public utilities committee
from United States Senators Perkins
and Flint yesterday.
Flint stated he would do his utmost
to further the plans OF the city in the
matter, and Perkins expressed his con-
fidence that they would be able to pass
the measure in the senate in the early
days Of the session and in the house
during January or February. The
united support Of the California delega-
tion. Perkins said, could be relied upon
TO put through the Legislation, and as
the supervisors already have the warm
est assurances of support from Presi-
dent Roosevelt, Secretary Garfield and
the executive department, the members
OF the board yesterday were glad TO
learn the city might count on the like
good Will of the California senators. In
his letter to DR.. Giannini, Senator Per-
klns said:
Dear Sir: 1 am in receipt of your
inst, and your remarks have my care
-tu1 consideration IN relation to the ac-
ceptance by the city Of San Francisco
Of certain reservoir sites at Lake
Eleanor and Hetch Hetchy valley. l
note that it is the opinion of your hon
orable board Of supervisors that the
acceptance Of this generous offer on the
part OF the government is vital 10 the
successful acquisition Of an adequate
water supply, and the public utilities
committee Of the board of supervisors
= cfr ~ Frf ~ ny 1fr1fr {
TO whether 1t is possible 10 pass an act
at the coming session OF congress, ana
what assistance I would be able TO
render the measure.
ALWAYS READY To HELP
In reply 1 beg 70 state that I stand
ready IN the future, as in the past, 10
do everything in my power to assist
the good people OF San Francisco in
obtaining water rights and privileges
for which they have made application
would state, however, that the cominA
session Of congress is, as you are
aware. what is known as the short
session. the slXtieth congress expiring g
by Limitation on the 4th Of March.
Therefore, the great pressure of gen
era4 legislation, ana especially the ap-
+. preparation bills for the support of the
government for the ensuing year. will
lax 10 the utmost limit the time of
congress while in session think.
however, that the recommendation of
= the secretary of the interior and the
! Endorsement Of the board Of supervisors
OF the city Of San Francisco will en-
ele Us 10 pass a bill such as you indi~
p. cate and which you think is necessary
. TO perpetuate the grant. ] feel conf
dent we can pass the bill through the
senate, perhaps in the early days OF
congress, and. with the cooperation of
the members of the house Of repre-
= sentatives. 1 think action can be se-
cured by that body during January or
Tie ebruary.
7. p. In any event ] think 1 hazard nothing
in saving that the united delegation in
. congress from California will be pleased
=. to cooperate in the enactment into a
= law of such a measure as you indicate;
as we are unit in working for the
: general interest Of our whole state OF
! California and especially OF San Fran
cisco: remain very truly yours.
GEORGE C. PERKINS.
WHAT HALL SAYS
b = William Ham Hall sent q. .communf-
cation to the board yesterday, in which
he saids
, Those. who control the Lake Eleanor
holdings are not seeking to sell:
we have. understood that it is the city
that has sought to buy. - With a
3. view 10. making this as inexpensive as
possible 10 the city. we made q definite
Offer reserving the right TO use the
stored water for power. because this is
q right OF very great value TO Us.
HaA then proceeded to recall the