The San Francisco call., 1909-12-03
HARMONY NEARS
IN SOLVING OF
WATER PROBLEM
Difference of Opinion Among
City Officials Are Disappear
ing to Large Extent
Mayor Elect Mccarthy and His
Friends Are Giving Matter
Close Attention

The building trades council unani-
nously Endorsed last night the report
Of its special committee that the city
so forward with the Hetch Hetchy
election as scheduled for December IS.
1T was urged also that a committee of
the building trades council join with
a committee of the labor council for
The purpose of placing the matter be-
fore the voters in a clear and inteln-
gent manner. For this purpose the
building trades council named a COM
mittee Of Is.
The building trades council has with
drawn its opposition TO the omission of
the words "Hetch Hetchy'' from the or
dinance, agreeing with the supervisors
that the city's rights therein are fully
protected.
The members of the city administra-
ZION are rapidly coming to har-
monious understanding in the various
phases OF the water problem. Such
differences of opinion as have existed
are disappearing to a large extent and
the feeling has gained ground that the
final determination as 10 the form in
(which the issue shall be placed before
the people should be left with the law
department Of the municipality.
It has been urged in some quarters
consulted, but this has not been done
officially. It is known, however, that
friends Of Mccarthy and the mayor
elect himself have given the matter
very close attention.
TENTATIVELY APPROVE PLAN
The suggestion that the two pro-
posals as outlined Wednesday be sub
Initted TO the people was considered at
further length yesterday and tentative
OF s45.O00,000 for the Sierra system.
with the proviso that if the Spring
Valley be purchased only s23.0OO.000 be
expended for the Sierra feature: and.
second. an issue Of s35,000000 for the
acquisition Of the entire Spring Valley
plant.
Mayor Taybr was in conference yes
terday morning with Judge Curtis II.
Ifndley. special counsel for the city.
The mayor and Lindley studied the
legal features in great detail and
tSeached the conclusion that il was en-
1irely feasible.
Later in the day the public utilities
committee Of the board. consisting of
Supervisors Johnston. Murphy and Nc
Leran, met and went over the ground
again They subsequently, had a con-
ference with Mayor Taylor.
The utilities committee has up to this
lime gone ahead with its plans for the
election scheduled for December %
Supervisor Johnson has been unwilling
10 alter his plans until possessed of a
definite opinion from the city attorney s
Office recommending contrary action
Nevertheless. the necessary ordinances
for the revised scheme will be pre-
pared and held in readiness.
AWAIT MESSAGE FROM LONG
Final action viii await word from
City Attorney Percy Y. Long. who is
now on his way to New York. Long
left yesterday morning, carrying with
him the necessary papers to acquaint
Dillon q Hubbard. the attorneys, with
the various steps taken to date. Long
viii reach New York early Monday
morning and viii consult Dillon & Hub
bard the same day. BY Monday night
he expects TO be able to wire a final
ruling TO the board Of supervisors.
j. II. Dockweiler, the city's consult
ing engineer, prepared yesterday a
table showing the Spring Valley lands
that the city will take over They
embrace SL676 acres, or 12S square
miles-an area three times the size of
san Francisco. 1t is Dockweilers belief
that this land viii advance rapidly in
value and will in time assist in paying
of the indebtedness that the city must
incur. The table follows:
city and county Of San Francisco
Acres.
Lake Merced rancho. ..--.... . 600
80 parcels of land includes all
city reservoirs. pumping sta
lions. etc --------.--.-.-..... 200 200
San Mateo county
Lake Merced ranch. ---...--...... $50
Plsrcitos, san Andress and Crys-
tai Springs reservoirs. water
sheds and adjoining lands. 2s. 4OO-29 80
Santa Clara county
CalsFeras reservoir lands. $500. ~ 500
Alriso lands s............,.......- 6.6OO-29 S7e
San BenitO county
Alameda county
Arroyo Valley, PIeassnton. Gala
Teras. Sunol. Niles and Alameda
creek ianos. ...-...---.--.....-. &c, ,400-26, 100
1oisi- .-.-------.-...---.-.-. 81 GIG