The San Francisco call., 1908-11-17
WILL URGE CHANGE
IN THE WATER LAWS
Public Utilities Committee Will
ASK Support Of Legislature
and Congress
Secretary GarfeId's Aid Is
Sought in the Hetch Hetchy
Proposition

Before the forces allied against the
Hetch Hetchy water project have had
time to renew their assault against the
rroposition. the board of supervisors
has proceeded to clear away all the
minor obstacles that now confront the
cry. The public utilities committee of
the board OF which Supervisor Clan
mini is chairman. has addressed a letter
10 Secretary GARFIELD informing him of
the vote at the recent election ana
asl5ins his cooperation in presenting
The necessary resolutions before con-
Eress.
Tie committee is not only going for
ward with the HeUchy Hetchy project,
but IL is leaving every avenue open by
which the Spring valley may grace
fuIy begin negotiations for the sale
q ills plant Up to the present time
the company has remained suilen, Nolc-
ing nothing more cheerful than an oc-
casional snarl from its Offices in Sutter
street. President Bourn remains Sc
cluded like a baron OF old in his castle.
lie regards id as none Of the public S
business what he intends TO DO. 1t IS
up 10 the people To meet the bills.
Fourn shall decide what water they
may drink and now much they shall
pay.
definite plan OF action will follow
the Garfield correspondence The sec
retarE Of the interior has been request
cd 10 have prepared the proper resolu-
tions under which the city may eN-
change lands with the government. 1t
IS bv this means that the ciW viii gain
1itle 10 all the lands in the two reser-
will
presented TO congress. where its pas
sage has been practically assured. At
tho same time. as part OF the plan TO
safeguard legally every step, congress
viii be asked 10 ratify the Garfield
grant
IGGESLATg RE Gould HELP
THE public utilities committee OF the
board holds that the state legislature
could assist the city materially by
passing a law which would make it
necessary for the city 10 follow the
same curse in procuring water rights
AS is required of an individual or cor
poration The present requirements
are such that work must follow the
filings without interruption. other
wise the filings lapse.
obviously il would be out Of the
question for the city TO begin work
which 1t has filed. The legislature will
be asked 10 amend the law 50 that the
city may file ahead of its needs and de-
Nclop to meet its necessities.
No step looking TO the sale of the
bonds viii be taken al least until the
board receives the official returns Of
tho election. Even then it viii pro-
coed with caution. Every act viii bear
the stamp of approval Of able attorneys.
For this work City Attorney Long VIII
be reinforced with the services of Cur
lis H. Lindley. Long has directed the
matter up TO the present time TO the
great satisfaction of the board and in
order TO make doubly sure, Lindley viii
be associated with Long in all legal
matters pertaining to the water supply.
One of the contemplated steps which
VIII call for the exercise Of the most
careful legal consideration is the CO.
operative movement by which the cities
about the bay may be invited to share
IN the benefits OF the project This
point viii not be taken up for the pres
ent 1t VIII be considered only after
the city Of San Francisco has perfected
its rights beyond legal attack Then
any of the bay cities that desire to join
with San Francisco in the matter will
be given a hearing.
Long has made q careful study of
the Massachusetts plan under which
adjacent cities maintain a common wa
ter supply, and he is convinced that
such a system can be adopted for the
municipalities about the bay.
PLEDGES COOPERATION
Pledges Of cooperation have reached
the board Of supervisors from many
sources. A letter received yesterday
from the Merchants association.
through its president. Andrew NJ Da-
Wis. read as follows:
The people of San Francisco have
now indicated in no uncertain terms
their desire for a municipality owned
water system and have, in this connec-
tion. approved the acquisition OF the
Hetch I9etchy and Lake Eleanor
sources Of supply.
The Merchants association of San
Francisco is deeply interested in seeing
this work carried to a successful con-
clusion and would be pleased TO be of
assistance 10 your honorable board in
working out the details necessary to be
provided for Ia the completion of your
plans and win be glad to cooperate
with you in any way IN which their
services can be Of assistance In ac-
complishing the ultimate result"
At yesterdays meeting Of the board
Or supervisors the question of modi-
flying the Spring Valley injunction was
considered. The board had addressed
2 letter to City Attorney Long asking
him 10 apply to the court to change
the restraining order so as to forbid
the company 10 shut of the supply of
any consumer who refused to paw the
excess over the ordinance rate. Long
replied that he had made practically
The same application in the gas case
and that Judge Van Fleet had denied H.