The San Francisco call., 1909-04-17
BOURN ASKS FOR
RATE CONFERENCE
Spring Valleys President Sug-
gests Action to Insure Mu-
nicipal Water Supply
Change of Front Shows in Lett
ter to Supervisors Ask-
ing for Meeting

President Bourn of.the Spring VAL
ley water company asked for a con-
ference with the supervisors yesterday.
He thought such meeting should be
held for "the fixing of rates that can
be accepted by this company"
Bourn said that unless such a con-
ference fixed rates that were agreeable.
you (the supervisors will make it
impossible for US to proceed with the
negotiations that may lead to SALE
Bourn also wrote to City Attorney
Long asking him to pass on tangle
of legal propositions involved in the
company's replacing the Locks creek
system, partly on capital account and
partly as a repair work.
BOURN CHANGES FRONT
Bourn's letter to the board members,
though hedged about, marks a COM
plete change of front from Attorney
McCutchen's declaration not a week
since that Spring Valley had no fur
ther offers to make. The letter, ad
dressed to Supervisor Johnston as
chairman of the water rates committee,
but sent in copy to each member, fol-
lows:
have read with interest the stenographic re-
port of the proceedings before the board OF super
visors in the matter of fixing water rates on
Monday, April 5, 1909.
can not but be impressed that when two par
ties to a controversy are honest in their inten-
tions be found by which those parties
can get logetner 10 that END. respectfully sug-
gest that the board OF supervisors of the city
and county of San Francisco will in an informal
conference meet representatives of the Spring
Valley water company, the object of that meet
ing being the fixing OF rates that can be accepted
by this company. 1t is my firm belief that If
that foundation is once laid We can then in har-
nrfn ffa htr fha
city and county of San Francisco may own and
administer. its own water supply.
POLICY STATED IN REPORT
At the request of your committee, your letter
share holders Of the Spring Valley water COM
pany. At the annual meeting held on April IA.
1903, over 100000 shares OF stock of total
issue of $50, 900 shares were represented. The
policy outlined by the management and contained
In the annual report, copy OF which sent to
you, was unanimously indorsed Steps
taken to increase the number of directors to 13
and to provide for an executive committee OF
three. This executive committee will have full
power to treat with the city authorities in all
matters pertaining to a sale of the companys
properties. On Monday next 1T is expected that
Captain A.. H. Payson. Mr.. Antoine Borel and
the undersigned will be appointed this execu-
tive committee.
At the informal meeting which we now request
we expect TO satisfactorily show that unless rates
are made that can be accepted by the company
you will make it impossible for US TO proceed
with the negotiations that may lead 10 a sale of
tue property we expect also 10 show you that
in many respects you are mistaken when you
state there have been no changes actually in the
conditions
1t is OF vital Importance TO the community OF
San Francisco that the capacity of the plant for
delivering water into the city should be in
creased. 1t is also of vital Importance to this
community that repairs requirements or main.
tenance Of portion of its system should be i'm
mediately Made In order TO bring this matter
more directly TO your attention. l am taking the
liberty of writing the city attorney in relation
thereto. At the meeting herein suggested we
desire to lay evidence before you that may Inn
we are placing the interest and welfare of the
community prior in right to the interest of own
ership.
With the hope that this informal conference
may be arranged, beg TO remain your obedient
servant, W. B. BOURN