The San Francisco call., 1908-11-11

!.
which referred to the city finances the
board of supervisors authorized the fol-
lowing statement:
AN anonymous circular opposing the
acquisition of water supply from
Hetch Hetchy valley and Lake Eleanor
is being circulated throughout the city.
A statement is made in the circular
that the city and county of San Fran
cisco can issue bonds for only s. per
cent of the assessed valuation of prop
erty. which is noted at $69, 900 900. This
is approximately correct, as the assess
ment roll amounts to $454,000,000 for
the fiscal year 190S-09, Is per cent of
which would be S68,10O,0OO.
"A second statement is made to the
effect that the present authorized bond
issue of the city is $35, 900. This is
incorrect. The facts are as follows:
The voters of the city and county of
San francisco at a special election held
september 30. 1903, authorized the in
curing of a bonded Indebtedness to the
extent of $17.160,000 of 3k per cent
bonds. This issue was dated July l.
1504, and $5,152, 500 of the same was
sold, and out of this latter sum $1,716,-
900 has been paid. leaving total out
standing debt of s3,436.600 at the pres
ent time from this issue
AS this issue bears interest at only
) II per cent, it is impossible to sell the
unsold portion at the present time. and
1t is probable that the greater part of
TINS issue viii never be disposed of,
but will eventually be Cancelled.
''On May IL, 1908, the voters author
lied bonded Indebtedness of s1S,200,-
GOO of per cent bonds. OF this issue
s5,2OO,OO0 have been sold for the auxili-
ary water system for fire protection for
the sewer system for the construction
OF schools and for the commencement of
initial work on the new hospital
The remainder of the issue will be
sold from time to time as the needs of
the city require. 1t will therefore be
seen that the present outstanding in
debtedness of the city and county of
San Francisco is only sS,636, 900. instead
of s35.36o,000. which the circular would
lead the voters to believe.
irrespective of the amount of the
authorizations to issue bonds, the Is per
cent limitation runs only to moneys
actually borrowed and this in no case
can or VIII exceed at any time SEQ 000-
00O."
ANALYSIS SHOW IMPURITIES
In calling attention to the growing
impurity of the Spring Valley water
Marsden Manson merely emphasizes
facts that had been previously revealed
II.
The latest analysis. printed in the Mu-
nicipal Record of November 5, shows
turbfd water from Lake Honda reser-
voir and from North Lake Merced. South
Lake Merced is reported clear with sus
pended matter
This same point was dwelt upon at
length by Major William H Harts. the
United States engineer stationed at San
francisco. In recent paper Major
Harts said
BY the paper 1 am about to read /
hope to be able to show two points
first, that San Francisco has been fur
nlshed for a number of years and is
now being furnished with water the
purity of which is below reasonable
standard; next, that the loss of life and
earning power in the community from
typhoid fever, which is we'll known to
be water borne disease, represents an
income of per cent on sum of money
amounting to nearly $4,000, 000"
Referring to other cities Harts said:
When the source of the water sup
ply of Portland, Ore, was changed
from the Willamette river TO Bull
Run on the side of Mount Hood. a dis
tance of over so miles from Portland.
where dangerous pollution was prac-
tically impossible, the death rate from
all causes, including typhoid. I am in
formed, fell from about 27 per 900 to
about per 1000. After Vienna esfab-
lished its mountain supply from the
Schneeberg, its public health improved
and its typhoid death rate is now less
than 10 per 1000; many years it is
less than 81
1t will be recalled that the excessive
insurance rates put into effect after
the big fire were ascribed to the in
adequacy of the Spring Valley com
pany, the same corporation on whose
shoulders the court has place respon
sibility for the great disaster. Last
year the insurance companies collected
from the people of the city the sum of
$4.0o0,000 in premiums. The excessive
exaction was ascribed to the failure Of
Spring Valley to afford proper protec-
tion to the city,
At the present time. the company has
been transformed by its president from
the functions named in its charter to
stock Jobbing enterprise. w B. Rourn
has made the company a speculative
enterprise He has abolished his an
gineering department He has on
tered upon bold deal to make a Quick
turn; to boost the stock and sell out
again. The water service has becon,s
incidental. This is the condition tbat
will endure should the voters neglect
the opportunity fomorrou, ~