The San Francisco call., 1910-12-31
CALIFORNIANS
I WILL CONTROL
ALL Utilities
Berkeley and Oakland Service
Systems to Be Conducted
by One Company
S2OO,OOO,OOO Concern Formed
to Operate Across the
Bay

and most extensive operators in pub
lie utilities IN the west. Closely asso-
ciated with them is r G. Hanford,
who has builded fortune upon fortune
through success in mining, water, land
and electric power deals.
These three men, in their new asso-
citation, will control the Key Route
ferry system, the Oakland traction
company, a vast water system now
know mas the Tevis project powerful
electric companies, and thousands of
acres Of land. encircling the cities Of
Oakland and Berkeley. These united
holdings account for the capitalization
of s2O0.000.O0O
The merger means a new water
system for Oakland in opposition to
the Peoples system; the extension OF
the Key Route lines to San Jose on
the south and into Contra Costa coun-
"; the entrance of ne welectrical COM
panies into Oakland; the development
on a vast scale of the water front
controlled by the Key Route with a
modern system OF wharves, docks and
warehouses; a new bay terminal and
depot for the Key Route; the opening
as home tracts of many square miles
OF land, and the operation of a new
steamship line
IL is altogether the most gigantic
enterprise in recent years in Califor-
T. 81 = 1-a
fash of day, but comes as the eli
max Of a long series of negotiations.
The way for the merger was effectu-
ally paved within the last two weeks,
when F. NJ. Smith sold his interest in
the Peoples water company to Frank
C. Havens and purchased in return
the Havens holdings in the Realty
Syndicate, the Oakland traction COM
pany and the Key Route company.
This deal involved some 100000.
At about the same time Smith took
over the holdings Of William 6. Hen
shaw in the traction company and the
Key Route.
BY this series OF operations Smith be-
came absolutely dominant in the Realty
syndicate, the traction company and the
ferry system. It has long been his
ambition to build UP these properties
until they were second to none in the
country
From the membership OF the direc-
torste Of the new corporation il Is OBJ
vious that Smith, who originally gained
fame as the borax king. viii dominate
the industrial field in Alameda county
as he does the borax deposits of Death
valley. The majority Of the board of
directors rests with Smith. He will ex-
ercise a personal influence that will
amount practically to authority.
To round out his projects in the
fullness of his own conception, it be-
came necessary for Smith to ally him
self with Tevis. Smith had the> land
and traction companies. Tevis had the
water. Hanford brought into the COM
bination electric power interests and
extensive land holdings
The Tevis water properties consist
OF watersheds In Alameda and Santa
clara counties, which he declares to
be capable Of q daily supply of 2oo.-
100000 barrels. or FIVE times the pres
ent supply Of Spring valley.
IT is stated that at one time Teyis
and Smith had in view the purchase of
the Spring Valley company, but the
terms could not be adjusted satisfac-
torily
without delay, II is said, plans will
be extended TO bring the water from
the Tevis properties into the city of
GA-<lsnd. The intention is to wholesale
tu the city and let the municipality
retail 10 the house holders. This will
mean certain and active opposition to
the Peoples water company. A situa-
tion OF the keenest interest viii there
fore arise. Tevis states that he can
deliver the water in greater quantities
and for lower price than the existing
utility.