The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1913-05-07
Tells Supervisors Nothing
Can Prevent Shortage in
Fair Year Unless Spring
Valley Dispute Is Settled
Protect Our Invest
ment or Buy Us OUT
NEVER GOT FAIR
DEAL, HE ASSERTS
Hearing Wrings Admission
That of $4,000, 900 Recent
ly Spent Only $25o,o00
Went to Increase Pipe
Supply, Remainder Going
Into Real Estate Deals

Into Real Estate Deals
President W. B. Bourn of the Spring
Valley Water company, summoned by
the supervisors water committee to it's
rate fixing hearing yesterday, made
several revelations on every phase of
the water situation from threatened
water famine in 1915 to the inability
Of the company to increase the supply
or make further extensions under ex-
listing conditions and rates.
He charged the city with never Civ
ing the company a fair deal declared
that If there had been only a differ
ence of $5oe.o00 between the prices
asked and offered in the recent pur-
chase negotiations. he would have
paid it out of his own pocket. and
prophesied that the only result of the
condemnation suit would be to edu-
cate the people as to the real value of
tho properties.
WARNS or 1915 FAMINE
that viii prevent water famine in 1915
except the development of our system
at a probable cost of s6,ooo,Ooo,7 he de-
clared I'VE must havesyour assistance
TO go forward with this work. or. if you
say the word, we stard ready 70 turn
Nhe property over TO you tomorrow
Calling attention to the public meet
~,
testing against the company using the
gravel bed sources, he warned the SUI
pe1visors' that if the agitation resulted
in an injunction preventing the COM
pany utilizing the reserve source it
was certain to mean water shortage
in this city.
Bourn admitted having said last year
that by properly developing the sources
125.oOo,ooo gallons daily could be sup
piled. and added that he was ready to
do this now under proper conditions.
The present supply is 4o,ooo.ooo gallons
daily, but it is uncertain because of the
dependence placed on individual pump
ing plants.
HIGHER RATE TO FORE
Increased rates appeared to be the
principal condition which the company
would consider favorable for invest
ment, although litigation is barrier
which must also be settled before cap
ital will be expended for extensions.
Bourn, in speaking of the time when
he took over the control of the water
company, said that being somewhat
younger than the others. he was more
optimistic.
81 believed" he said, "that II the
company was given clean, honest,
open management that we would meet
with justice and fair treatment. In
that belief we have spent $4,000 900. all
in the development of the property. 1t
was a hobby of mine to develop that
property and make it such that we, the
A directors, and the people would be
satisfied and proud of it.
.NEvER GOT SQUARE DEAL.
But I was absolutely wrong in hop
Ing to get the treatment that I ex-
pected. We failed-to get the justice
and fair treatment that I in my OPP
tiniism anticipated. Now our capital
i is reduced to minimum. When it
comes to any additional outlay we can
not make it.
st am hoping to have this condem-
nation suit filed without delay.
THE quicker the better 1t IS hard
hard on us to put us in this position.
I understand your point of view. We
are placed in the position where We
appear derelict in our duty to the peo-
pie, but under the conditions we are
absolutely powerIess-"
Supervisor Gallagher did not ap-
pear to be impressed.
Il don't see where you spent this
$4,000. 900 for development of the water
supply" he objected "An I see is
$1,000. 900 for real estate. How many
additional millions of gallons of water
has this expenditure actually brought
In?
NOT RICH, NOT POOR, HE SAYS
"only between 100000 and 100000
gallons replied Bourn
And you are too poor to make any
further outlay?" queried Gallagher.
I'VE are not pleading poverty" an
swered the water companys president.
Then you are not poor?" asked
Gallagher
xNo. not poor" replied Bourn.
Rich, then" suggested the super
VISOR.
mot rich, either" parried Bourn
Continued ON Page Z. Column 2