The San Francisco call., 1909-11-28

officials was held in the mayors Office
Those present were: Mayor Taylor,
City Attorney Long, Assistant City AT
torney Haven, City Engineer Marsden
Manson, : Consulting Engineer j. H.
Dockweiler, Supervisors Jennings, Mur-
ply, Johnston and McLeran and ChieI
Clerk John E. Behan of the board OF
supervisors.
At the outset, interest fastened on
the definite proposal to sell for $5o,-
100000 The alternative offers were
not regarded as feasible. City En-
gineer Marsden Manson pointed out
what portions of the Sierra system
could be eliminated through the pur-
chase of Spring Valley. Engineer
Dockweiler expressed views that CO.
incided with those of Manson 1t was
then estimated that construction work
costing $22, 200. 900 could be eliminated
from the Hetch Hetchy project, II
Spring Valley were purchased,
The legal aspects were then discussed
and the belief was expressed that the
two projects could be joined In single
bond issue of $5S,000, 900. The time
required for the passage OF the ordl-
nances would throw the election, at
the earliest, to January OF next year
Increase in Price
The price was dwelt upon at length
The desire to settle the question was
weighed gainst the extra millions that
the company now demands. 1t was
recognized that there has been little
to increase the value of the plant
$4,000 900 during the is months that
have elapsed since Captain Payson Of
fered to sell for s32, 100000. The adj
ministration is also confronted by the
estimates Of it's own engineers, DOCK
weller Manson and Grunsky, whose es-
Inmates run from $24,000,O00 TO SIS
100000.
1t was urged that the Lake Merced
ranch.of ., 500 acres would prove val
liable asset for the city, to be held for
park purposes or to be sold at later
date.
Curtis H. Lindley, who has acted as
special counsel for the city in water
matters, was absent as his ranch
near Santa Cruz yesterday and could
not attend the conference. He was
reached by telephone and will be here
this morning. Upon mis- arrival he Will
confer with City Attorney Long and
Supervisors Johnston and Jennings
Later in the day the city officials Will
go over the whole subject in detail
An effort will be made to fasten upon
a clear line of policy that can be rec
commended at tomorrow's meeting of
the board of supervisors. The Spring
Valley directors will meet tomorrow
morning to draw up the formal letter
to the supervisors.
The developments of the day may
not be without an important effect
upon the pending litigation over rates
This issue is to be decided early in
le coming year. Before Judge Far
rington the Spring Valley has con-
tended in sworn affidavit and otherwise
for values reaching as high as S52.
500 000 Their offer of yesterday can
scarcely escape the attention of the
court
Other litigation now pending in
wolves the company's wells in the
Livermore valley. The farmers have
taken the matter into court, but the
litigation is not regarded as very
large barrier. 1t was stated that the
company's property included 10000
acres stretching over many counties.
OF this $4,000 acres are located on the
peninsula. The advocates of the pur-
chase believe that parcels not needed
after the Sierra supply is brought in
could be disposed Of at advantageous
prices.