The San Francisco call., 1908-03-03
URGE REDUCTION
OF WATER RATES
Majority of Supervisors Com.
mittee Recommends Decrease
of Seven Per Cent

Two reports We're presented yester-
day by the water rates committee OF
the supervisors and. on motion of
Comte, action on them by the board
was deferred until the meeting next
Monday.
The majority report signed by John
ston and Murphy recommends the re-
enactment of the water rates bill of
1903, except for the hydrant service,
which is fixed at 100000 a year. The
company is at present collecting under
the 1902 rate. Although several re-
ductions have been made by successive
boards Of supervisors from the 1902
schedule. the company has resorted to
the courts for the enforcement of those
rates and has been permitted ever
since to collect upon that basis.
The 1903 rate recommended by the
majority provides for a reduction of Z
per cent from the 1902 schedule to all
private consumers. In order to cover
the corresponding decrease in the reve-
nue. of the company the service for
hydrants is fixed at 100000 a year
instead of the present s12 a hydrant
tariff, which has netted the company
about $4,000 a year. An additional
$4,000 for water furnished public
buildings. $4,000 for water for street
sprinkling. $4,000 for water for
schools and $4,000 for parks will bring
the total revenue derived from the city
up TO $150,000 instead of $4,000, as at
present
FIVE PER CENT FOR COMPANY
On an approximation of s25.000,000
as the value of the Spring Valley plant
the revenue derived under the 1903 rate
would give the company a little more
than 3 per cent interest on the in
vestment.
The minority report presented by Nc
Allister recommends that the water
rates be fixed as follows:
To private consumers, the rate of
1902 plus an increase of Is per cent;
gross sum to be paid by city, s150.000;
other rates to remain unchanged.
The lighting rate committee did not
present its report, as the members are
not agreed upon the recommendations
TO be made. 1t is understood that two
of them are in favor OF dollar rate.
and in the hope of being able to con-
to their views they will hold another
conference during the week. A dollar
rate would be an increase of Is cents
over the existing schedule.
SMALLER BILLS CONSIDERED
The ordinance required the rat proof
ing of Easements in buildings was re-
ferred back to the committee on mo-
tion Of Center, as was also an ordi-
nance relating to the construction of
awnings and canopies over sidewalks.
The bill requiring that the floors of
all markets be of concrete was passed.
The general ordinance providing san
itary regulations for the city was
passed.
The curfew ordinance prohibiting
minors under the age of 16 years from
playing or lettering in the streets after
.. m. was passed.
An ordinance repeating the resolution
setting aside $4,000 for the construc-
tion of foot passenger bridge in East
street at Market. and appropriating
$500 of the sum to the repair fund of
the works board and $4,000 to the
furniture fund, was passed.
The bill requiring temporary or per-
manent sidewalks to be constructed in
the burned district prior to May l was
passed.
A resolution providing s213,50o for
street and sewer repair work was
adopted
McAllister was authorized to draft
suitable resolutions expressing the
thanks OF the board to the Millen-Grif-