The San Francisco call., 1908-03-17
POSTPONE WATER
=: ..0 r.-o
AND GAS RATES
Supervisors Order Special In-
= quiry Before Taking Final
Action
Prolonged Discussion Is Held
Concerning Profits OF Two
Companies

during no coming fiscal year was
post tponed AT the supervisors yester-
dav pending further inquiry. Believ-
tng tlst * would be 10 the best in
teresrs of The city 10 have more
thorough Investigation made into the
wafer question before adopting a rate
schedule, the board authorized the ap-
pointmeng of a special committee 10
consist q the water rates committee
and the chairmen OF the finance. pub
lie utilities. judiciary and nre commit
rees. to conduct an inquiry. No time
was nxed for the hearing
The artificial lights committee hav-
Ing been unable 70 agree on a report
Sachs and Broderick favoring a 90 cent
rate while Johnston. the third mem
Der. recommended the re-enactment of
the existing IS cent schedule-the
board made the gas question a special
order of business for next Monday at
2 o'clock.
COMTE CALLS FOR INQUIRY
When the 1902 water rates bill.
which had been agreed upon for re-
enactment At the meeting last week,
came up for final passage. Comte pre-
senteo resolution calling for the
special inquiry into the matter. He
eaid that the proposed schedule was
not satisfactory 10 the water company
and that its adoption meant. IN all
likelihood. renewal Of litigation be-
tween that corporation and the city.
lie feared that as il would be impos-
sihle 10 acquire 2 municipal water
supply inside Of 10 years, the city.
would face a water famine before that
time II some provision was not made
Tor fncres sing the capacity Of the
Spring Valley company.
we may be able 10 get along with
out whisky, said he. but not with
out water"
THAT might be the doctrine for
some remarked Mayor Taylor
Captain Payson, president OF the
Spring valley company was next
given the floor TO urge upon the su-
pervisors the need Of preserving the
present supply. He said that the fix
ing Of the rates did not enter into the
thoughts OF himself or associates
when they called attention 10 the
danger Of a water famine.
DANGER OF WATER FAMINE
1T may be that I am an alarmist,"
said PaySpn, but I firmly believe that
there is grave danger unless steps are
taken 10 preserve the supply for this
city Il win not do TO wait until the
last minute. when the famine stares
Us I'm the face We should take every
precaulion TO avert il and I earnestly
cntrea1 YOU, gentlemen. 10 give this
matter The attention and consideration
il deserves
as II not p fact that you have 400
days supply in your reservoirs2' asked
Murphy.
II should say about 500 days re-
piled Psgson
Murphy thought Il would be :, bad
precedent t. establish II q special com
nittee was appointed. We must act
as Tie charter directs" said he. Let
-. IL
an offer To sell. and then we can act
on H. We should not add to the bur
dens OF the consumers by fixing rates
10 suit the water company. The con-
sumcrs are TO be considered-not the
compsns's wishes.
CANNOT IMPROVE PLANT
Payson explained that the company
was not in financial position 70 i'm
prove lis plant as il was unable TO
borrow money or sell its bonds.
Let Us deal with the question in a
sensible way. said he You must re-
member that If there is any scarcity OF
water the people VIII blame both the
company and the supervisors. and the
company viii be blameless, for Il is now
calling attention TO the gravity of the
situation.
did you not state" asked Murphy.
when asked il you were given q is
per cent increase. II you would spend
any Of the money for improvements
that you would use il for dividends2"
Hardly shat" was Psysons reply
Murphy next moved that the water
rates be fixed without further delay,
and said that If an inquiry was neces-
ssry il could be taken up later.
The motion was lost Booth, Nc
Leran and Murphy alone voting for It
The resolution calling for the special
- ia Il - nd
Murphy voting against it.
PRESENTS MINORITY REPORT
When the fixing OF gas and electric
light rates. came up, Sachs and Brod-
erick presented the ordinance calling
for . IS cent rate for gas and recon-
nending the re-enactment OF the pres
ent electric lighting schedule.
johnson, The third member Of the
committee first presented a -commu-
nicstion from the Good Government
league requesting that a public hearing
be granted before fixing the rate, and
then the following minority report.
IN ny judgment even the statements Of the
company do not justify lbe recommendation made
hv the ms i0rifF of the committee ana the dis
crepaney between the statement Of earnings as
furnished BY tie San Francisco gas and electric
company 70 this beard and the statement OF fhe
c01Ipauy's earnings learned from other sources
leaves in nv mind doubt 70 the correctness OF
tie figures submitted 10 this board.
L believe. and I feel confident that the ma 5or-
ity Of the members Of your honorable board viii
azree with me. that in such an important matter
that il Affects tae monthly expense account OF
slnost every house holder il the city. the doubt
should le resolved in favor cf The people
I therefore recommend that the maximum rate
Tor gas be fixed AZ - cents per LOCO cubic
feet and that II al other respects the rate
ordinances fixing the price II gas and electricity
for light, heat and power be re-enacted IS now
In force.
OPERATED AT A PROFIT
Murphy moved that the two reports
20 over FOR one week. IN order TO give
the members Of the board time to con
slider them
This difference of 10 cents in the
rate said be. means about $500. geo
q year added expense 10 the con-
sumers-
About s252. .0oo." corrected President
Britton OF the gas corporation.
In your report. Supervisor John
ston," said Pollok. you refer to hav-
ing received information from other
sources-from what sourcesZ q
The Financial Chronicle" replied
Johnston. a statement appearing in
that paper shows that the company is
being operated at profit instead OF
loss and the figures are given TO