The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1909-05-04
OLD WATER RATES
BY VOTE OF II TO 6
Board of Supervisors Re-enacts
the Present Schedule for
Spring Valley Charges

BY vote of IL to the board of
supervisors readopted yesterday the
same water rates which it had fixed
for the current fiscal year. There was
no doubt as to the action to be taken
as the declaratory ordinance had been
passed to print the week before. The
rate legislation was not enacted with
out controversy. Supervisors John
ston and Pollok fought out the issue on
the floor. the former as chairman of
the committee in charge of the matter
urging the re-enactment Of the old
schedule. and Pollok insisting that
some understanding be reached by
which the service might be extended
Before the vote was taken a letter
from the company was read in which
a request was made that it be given
authority to collect the / or cents
excess on individual bills in order to
make even change. The company had
asked for delay so that this amendment
might be made, but as there had been
frequent postponements at the solicit
tation of the company without appre-
ciable result the board proceeded to fix
the rate.
Pollok interposed an objection and
called attention to the fact that out
lying districts had been compelled to
go without water. He feared also that
the city would not get the 200 addi-
tional hydrants desired
Il believe these matters should be
taken up and settled said Pollok.
Between sensible men they could be-"
Johnston explained that the service
to the Excelsior homestead had been
resumed by a repair that cost only
$500.
ply to Pollok, is that perhaps the wa
ter committee has not taken enough
pains to bring about a settlement of
these matters. l wish to take issue
with that
II think both parties are to blame"
answered Pollok. These pending mat
tiers should be settled. The people
should not suffer for a lack of foun-
dation--"
ITO get together" chorused several
supervisors. completing an aphorism of
w. B. Bourn frequently heard in the
board rooms.
Pollok then inquired for the Dock
weller report on the Spring Valley
books.
Johnston said that as far back as
year ago his committee had asked the
Spring Valley to extend its service into
the Excelsior homestead. but that the
company had then refused on the
ground that it would entail a capital
expenditure. Since then 1t had been
found that the result could be accom-
plished by $500 repair. This had been
done The Dockweiler report, con-
tinued Johnston. was on file where 1t
could be seen by amy one Industrious
enough to come around"
D'Ancona inquired If the company
had made any new proposal and was
informed that it had not.
Before the vote was taken, Super
visor Murdoch explained his position
by announcing that he favored an in
creased rate as means toward hasten
ing the purchase of the plant. With
an increase, he argued, the city could
compel the company to make extern
sions or. upon the company's refusal,
he suggested that 1t would be deprived
of its franchise.
Supervisor Connolly explained that
he was against an increased rate as
the company was unwilling to make a
single concession. He added that the
only solution was municipal ownership.
This. he said, applied not only to water,
but to every public utility.
The old rates were adopted by the
following vote:
Ayes-Supervisors Bancroft, Booth.
Center, Connolly, D'Ancona, Giannini.
Hooks. Jennings. Johnston, McLeran,
Murphy, Payot-12.
Noes-Supervisors Broderick, Comte,
McAllster, Murdoch, Pollok. Rixford.