The San Francisco call., 1909-04-06
WATER RATES WILL
NOT BE INCREASED
Supervisors Reject Proposal to
Make Advance of Fifteen
Per Cent in Schedule

For Is per cent increase in water
rates and s. hydrant charge-Super-
vfsors Broderick, Comte, McAllister
Murdock, Pollok and Rixford-6.
Against opposed ncrease-Super-
visOrn Bancroft, Booth, Center, Con-
molly. D'Ancona, Giannini, Hooks, Jen-
ninEs. Johnston, McLeran and Murphy
Ill.
Absent-SupervIsOr Payot.
The board of supervisors rejected the
proposal at yesterdays meeting that 1t
increase the water rates 15 per cent
and postponed final action on the rate
ordinance until next Monday. The
trend OF the discussion indicated that
the figures of the current year will be
re-enacted.
Two reports We're placed before the
board for consideration. One was SUBJ
mitted by Supervisors Johnston and
Murphy providing for the re-establish-
ment of the schedule adopted last year.
A minority report presented by Super
visor McAllister called for a 25 per cent
increase and a S5 hydrant rate. To this
McAllister had tackled on the provision
that the Spring Valley company make
such extensions as the fire department
should suggest; that it increase its
daily supply by 100000 gallons, and
that IL limit it's dividends to per cent
A motion to put the entire matter
over was lost by vote of 10 to Z. In
the discussion that followed McAlIster
modified his report reducing the in
crease to 15 per cent, the sum allowed
the company under the recent injunc-
ton, and retaining the conditions that
it make the improvements mentioned.
This report was voted down, IL to 6.
Supervisor Johnston then endeav-
ored 10 bring his report before the
meeting. but a vote to postpone the
matter for one week was carried. TO
s. The delay was suggested on the
theory that the Spring Valley company
might desire to make some further
representation to the city.
POLLOK FAyoRs INCREASE
Supervisor Pollok seconded McAllis-
ter in the latters endeavor to secure
the increased rate.
Il think this minority report should
be adopted" said Pollok. Last year
worked for 3 per cent increase. Now
the house holders are paying it by or
der of the court. The city is now using
32 OOO, 900 gallons of water day. The
company's capacity is $4,000 600 gal
Ions. The company says 1t Will not in
crease its supply under present condi-
tions. On the other hand, IL we pay
them the increase we will put the mat
ter up to them.
1T will take or 10 years to bring
the Hetch Hetchy water into the city,
During those years we will be depend
ent upon Spring Valley. 1t is high
time to adopt some measure OF COM
promise. The Spring Valley is entitled
to fair return on its investment. This
increase will give 1t to them. We can
then put an expert on the books and
get a clear account of the company S
expenditures.
There has been legislation enabling
us to condemn the property. If we are
going to buy Spring Valley it is bad
policy TO make it depreciate in the eyes
of the people. 1t seems to be conceded
that we must eventually buy Spring
Valley. 1t is a matter of s28, 600 900 or
So. .O0o. 900"
Comte objected that while the COM
pany had promised an additional
100000 gallons a day il granted IA
per cent increase, it had received an
additional Is per cent from the court
but had not provided the extra water
He advocated the increase, however
and added:
While I have been called corpora
tion man, ] submit to the courts and
am willing to abide by that Judgment
UNFAIR TO RATE PAYERS
Johnston argued that the court issue
was still pending and that there was a
possibility that the Is per cent excess
collections would be returned to the
consumers He contended that ii would
be unfair to the rate payers to add the
Is per cent while the court issue was
undetermined.
D'Ancona sketched the Increased in.
come of the company since 1900 and
added that before he would vote foi
any increase he should desire to SCI
some effort toward compromise on the
part of the company.
OF his report, McAIlister said that
anybody can see that it is nothing
but a copy OF the statement of what
I tackled on the conditions which we
want fulfilled"
He further pointed out the fire danger
owing to the lack OF water connections
in the outlying parts of the city.
Supervisor Murphy objected to dis.
turbance of the status quo. Con.
molly criticised Judge Farrington's de-
cision in so far as 1T declared that q
rate of income of 4.3 per cent was con
hscatory. Giannini contended that the
company should make a bona ide of.
fer to sell.
After further discussion the votes
were taken, the McAllister report re-
jected and the consideration of Super
visor Johnstons report put over q
week.
TESTIMONY TAKEN IN SUIT