The San Francisco call., 1908-11-21
BOURN ASKS CITY
TO INCREASE PAY
President of Spring Valley Sug-
geSts Supervisors Should
Follow Injunction Order
Refusal of Demand Based Upon
Opinion of Former
City Attorney

A suggestion from President w. B.
Bourn of the Spring Valley company
that the city increase its payments for
water IS per cent all along the line
for school consumption, hydrant use.
etc somewhat dumfounded the mem
bers of the supervisors committee yes
terday Bourn stated in his letter that
the water rates had been 'judicially
increased IS per cent; thar the courts
action was a decision" and suggested
"as a matter of common fairness" that
some suitable provision that the IS
per cent increase be paid by the city
and held in escrow" be made.
In declining to act upon Bourn's
demand the supervisors did not base
their refusal on the ground that the
board had more exhaustively examined
the factors TO be considered in max
ing a rate than the court had in al
lowing tentative addition, but held
that according 10 an opinion rendered
by former City Attorney Franklin K.
Lane they We're debarred from acting.
Lane held that after fixing any appro-
priation in the annual budget the board
was without power to increase it
BOURN ASKS INCREASE
Bourn's communication in full after
the address to the committee follows:
VIII you please inform this company what
the policy Of the administration will be in
reference 70 the recent decision judicially
increasing the water rates Is per cent sub
object 70 the stipulations of the injunctionl
The order for the injunction allows the CON-
pany 20 make a charge to the extent of IS
per cent IN excess Of the rates fixed by the
ordinance adopted IN June, 1908.
As a matter Of common fairness. 7 trust
nat you VIII make some suitable provision
mat the IS per cent increase be paid by the
city and held in escrow, IN the event that
the ordinance shall officially be held to be
invalid.
At your early convenience please inform
thls company Of your decision in the matter.
have the honor 70 remain, your obedient
servant ". B. BoURN. President.
Bourn expressed the belief in a
separate communication sent to the
boards clerk that the existing condi-
tons Of the water supply of san Fran
cisco can only be met by a plan of
cooperation between this company and
the municipality
lie had been asked if the companv
would install hydrants which Fire
Chief Shaughnessy reported absolutely
necessary to insure whole districts
from destruction by fire. The answer
he passed TO the board Of directors.
LETTER TO CLERK BEHAN
Addressing Chief Clerk Behan. Bourn
said.
The underlying subject matter Of vour
oonlinuHlcatlon Is one Of great moment 70 the
CITY ana the company. From my present
point ot view I must frankly tell you that il
IS my belief that the existing conditions Of
the Weter supply Of San Francisco can only
pe met BY plan Of cooperation between
1nls company and the municipality.
can not now make answer for the COM
psny % your letter Il is that must be
laid before the board Of directors
Will you please inform me if it is the in
sentlon q the city to pay for water 10 be
drawn from the additional hydrants if mere
should be installed
peg that you viii present the inclosed
letter 70 the finance committee Of the board
q supervisors. have the honor to remain,
your obedient servant.
". B. BoURN, President