The San Francisco call., 1910-01-02
CITY WATER SUPPLY
DEPENDS ON VOTES
Campaign Inaugurated for COM
bination of Spring Valley
and Mountain Sources
Warren 0lney Urges Sierra Club
Members TO Remember Needs
of San Francisco

With the opening of the new year
the city OF san Francisco viii turn
its attention TO the most vital Of its
problems-the purchase Of water
supply.
The election viii be held January a..
The voters viii face two PROPOSE
lions, one calling for the purchase Of
spring Valley for $4,000, 600 and the
other providing for the acquisition Of
the Lake Eleanor and Tuolumne river
systems.
The Sierra works alone viii cost
S45.o0o.000. but ii constructed in con
Junction with Spring Valley the cost
WilI amount TO only $4,000, 600.
The present city administration IA
rors the combination Of the Spring
Valley and the mountain sources at a
Total cost of 5000. 900. A committee
~ citizens viii meet tomorrow night
IT the rooms of the board OF super
lsors 10 begin propaganda to this
end All citizens in sympathy with
this plan win be welcomed.
LABOR BODIES TO Assist
The two big labor organizations will
= ave their attention TO the subject this
-.s.Een1ng. A joint committee of 30, rep
*rcsenung the labor council and the
81 llflc@Eg trades council viii map out a
allan. Of action. These organizations
are eoinmitted TO the Sierra project.
Their attitude on the Spring Valley Of
e. er has not been declared.
II is generally believed that the
sierra system wiu be indorsed at the
polls bg q TO ] vote. At the first
" t8etch Hetchy election, sentiment\di-
aiGcd in this ratio. An active oppo-
Hf .rr.r.e
tie Sierra system bond issue. This oP-
position comes primarily from the water
power interests and certain nature en-
thusiasts led by a faction in the Sier-
ia- club.
LETTER BE WARREN OLNEN
The Sierra club is at present taking
postal vote on the issue. The clubs
membership extends TO the southern
part Of the state, and there has been
@oBle apprehension that the Los An
geles members might be induced TO op-
pose san Francisco. In a circular sent
TO the club members. Warren Olney,
former mayor Of Oakland, deals with
lltis possibility He says:
] assume that the ethical stand
ard Of the Sierra club differs from
icSe Nolers VINO at the last cleo
1Qn defeated constitutional
arhehdment allowing the issuance
OF bonds for improving the har-
hor of san Francisco, though 1t
was expressly provided that these
bonds. principal and interest. were
to be paid only from the harbor
receipts. Ehe only party in interest
.FaS tlc city Of san Francisco. yet
The rest ot the state voted against
ID. lbe vote BENG 1882 for TO &c.
Hht agalnsL The vote in Los An
EeIes was 4.24o for and 29,1lS
against There have been indica-
lons that the same feeling was
aL work in the matter OF the bay
r-tes getting sierra water sup
plE but d snail not believe there
euE OF ir in the Sierra club un-
.rSs forced 10 that conclusion by an
. ANALYSIS 0L the vote.
sITt ABION SUMMARIZED
Ihe whole situation is tersely sum-
l-arl1ed a5 Olney as follows:
l Francisco Is about TO buy.
rl-uA. the Spring Valley water
1s. 1Ur IT is conceded by every
so-aretent ia form an opin-
tais purchase meaps only
present supply The city viii
90 RAISE pN taNation S35.-
sa 70 complete this purchase.
30 addition the city proposes to
~. the waters Of Lake Eleanor.
WlI take years 10 do so. 1t is
rnis after tl4at is done. that there
pr0posluoD TO use Hstch
r.e most Of YOU can probably
.si cure that the right 10 camp
'-~ll-lch Hetchy and enjoy its
..l.en away in your time But the
-. t--,5t4es must have the right re-
Aed 10 them 70 use that valley
r. -tsl.-n.lr is actually needed. II they
80: $50. lot now secure the right TO
81. :.--Il pound and utilize the waters Of
:. ~ lL8 l6nue. river, those waters viii
80 'le used bY power companies tax
:. -.siu-g them out below the valley ana
as-5.l lI-Tlng the people Of their use
3. l@ ever
s"3sITl'S BORROWING POWER
= The coming days viii clear up a mist
%. false Impressions that have been
3 Isermitted in some degree 10 confuse
gee public mind. il has been argued
.fr5ct 5y voting $5S,O00,00O Of bonds the
jry ~ oslld exceed its legal debt limit
> Tiafss according TO the city's advisers
Us erroneous.
-. Tie sierra water enterprise viii re-
=: Q'sIe S.or 10 years for construction
Bords silI be sold only as required
10 press tile work In the meantime
other issues viii have been retired
l,llrt hersnore The city's bonding capac-
. ilv mili. have expanded 50 rapidly that
ffere WlI be ample Ieeway for A city
+ hall. a.ud such other improvements as
:-lnai- he regarded as desirable.