The San Francisco Call. Newspaper, February 15, 1898, Page 8

THE SAN FRANCISCO CALL, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 1898 A COSTLY GIFT TO SPRING VALLEY The Supervisors Have Decided to Allow the Water Rates at Present Existing to Remain as They Are. A Hard Fight Was Made by the Minority of the Board to Save the City the One Hundred and Fifty Thousand Dollars Which the New Figures Will Cost It. Supervisor Morton, addressing Dr. Clinton, “that you and Dr. Dodge had a lttle caucus and that thisprogramme e the result of it?" “There was no caucus,” repHed Dr. FOUR AGAINST A SOLID EIGHT. FOR LOWEK FOR STAND- There was mo caucus?” re C WER FOR N K> , angril This report was RATES. | ING RATES. 0%y me in the hope of facilitat- Y ing matters. I read it over to Dr. :,'::;:“ | :::_'::l'"“ d as he concurred in it he Eackmann Delan that the request of the com- be denied,” said Supervisor Britt. Rottanzi Sheeha pinll} 5 Gipupeipior bt “1 don't see any need of delay in h Morgom matter. We dallled with the rates last | Brig and—well, we got into trouble I | Smith want any more such experience.” Mivers “I am also opposed to any delay such as is contemplated by this re- of Supervisor and made a pr met yes- nt of $150,000 interrupted Supervisor Morton. “I am as ready to vote now as I will be to the Spring Valley Water Company. & Week hence.” 2 T Comah 1 AoVIR ote ot i PEhth m‘:(;: am L chirruped Supervisor Eight” the Haskins water order now ~Dge safd that the report of the en- in effect was adopted as the schedule gineer would be ready Monday, and for the fiscal year 1898-93, notwith- that no harm could possibly result standing the fight made by Supervi- from a continuance of a week. sors Clinton, Dodge, Lackmann and _ “The papers are all crying that the Spring Valley Water Company is get- jus “den on the already heav. N8 too much money now, and I am an unjust burden on the already heav- yyjjing to take a chance on their end fly taxed water consumers. The “sn'r‘ Eigh a ’H” e 1® this time,” said Britt. “If the company ifty Eight” were deaf to all argu- has to have the new pumping sta- ments. They had made up their minds tions let them pay the interest on the to carry the programme through and bonds isued out of the 6 per cent div- never for an instant did they hesitate ldends now being paid the sharehold- in their work. ers. If necessary let them cut their "The Committee on Water and Water Gividends down to 2 per cent for a Bupplies first met to consider the com- change.” 4 Supervisor Clinton deprecated any munication of the president of the pany, asking the Super hasty action. “It is our sworn duty to guard against any possible water fam- ke provision for interest to Ine,” said he, “and if an engineer ap- be paid $900,000 to be used in estab- pointed by the Mayor should report lishing new pumping stations. that the pumping stations are neces- Chairman Clinton called the commit- tee together and after briefly stating Rottanzi to prevent the imposition of sary I would not for an instant stand in the way of the company providing the object of the meeting said that he them.” 2 and Dr. Dodge had drawn up a re- ‘I am ready to vote now,” said Britt, port which he would submit to the “and as an amendment I move that the The members for their consideration. report was as follows: San Francisco, orable Bo communication be placed on file and the request denied.” Morton seconded the amendment, whereupon Supervisor Dodge remarked our Commitiee on Walel that some of the members had experi- o fammaniea Ses \vath enced a great change of heart since the Howard, president of the Sy alley last schedule was adopted. Water Works, asking that provision be ipervisors Clinton and Dodge ar- made for the extra expenditure of $90.00 gued that time should be given to as- C chiefly for new certain if there were any possibility of - s hataie & water famine. to become insufficient owing to a threat- _ What need is there for an engi- ened dry winter, would respectfully re- neer?” asked Britt. “I think the ex- port as follows: We do not feel justified b heavy burden to the already overtaxe ratepayers without some investigation being made by this board as to the neces- sity for this expenditure. We deem this investigation to be warranted in view of the solemn, unqualified and oft-repeated statements made to this board a few months ago by the chief engineer of this company when he declared that the com- prepared to abundantly supply re city with water regardless of the occurrence of two or even thres suc- cessively dry winters. ‘We therefore recommend that his Hon- or the Mayor appoint a competent engi- neer to represent this board and report at our next regular meeting as to the necessity of this large expenditure of the Public funds. C. A. CLINTON, WASHINGTON DODGE. “I move the adoption of the report,” #aid Supervisor Dodge. “The board iIs not ready to impose this additional heavy taxation on the people on the unsupported statement of the com- pany’s officials. We should have the opinion of an engineer representing the board on this matter. It may be just as the company represents—that new umping stations are necessary. If so would favor granting the request of the compan Until we have that tes- timony before us I think we should not ‘Did T understand you to say,” asked pert appointed by the Mayor would re- port against the expenditure and would be appointed for that purpose.” “We have the utmost confidence in the honesty and integrity of Mayor Phelan,” replied Dr. Clinton sharply, “and I think the insult offered him is as undeserved as it is gratuitous.” “We don’t all see things in the same light,” retorted Britt. The roll was called on Britt's amend- ment to deny the request of President Howard and it was carried, Britt, Riv- ers and Morton voting in the affirma- tive and Clinton and Dodge in the neg- ative. “There is something in the wind,” significantly remarked a bystander as the committee adjourned to the board room, where the other Supervisors were walting to sit as a committee of the whole. Supervisor Clinton was called to the chair and all the Supervisors answered the roll call. “If Engineer Schussler is present,” said Supervisor Smith, “I wish he would take the-stand as I have a few questions to ask him.” Schussler took the witness seat and settled himself down as if expecting to be compelled to undergo a lengthy ex- amination. ‘What was the last issue of stock?” asked Smith. adding this “T have been told it was 7000 shares,"” replied Schussler. “When was it issued?” “I have been told since the new year, was the answer. “Is the company paying interest on the same?” “I understand it is proposed to do s0." “That's all,” and Schussler, with a sigh of relief, took a seat by the side of Attorney Kellogg. “If there is nothing new to be brought up,” suggested Dr. Dodge, “we z):llght excuse the witnesses subpenaed jave you anything else to offer?” asked Dr. Clinton of Attorney Kellogg. “Nothing,” he replied. ‘We have presented our case.” Dodge then moved that the commit- tee take up the discussion of the sched- ule of rates and Britt seconded the mo- tion. The majority report of the Committee on Water and Water Supplies, signed by Britt, Morton and Rivers, was then ;‘rad by Clerk Russell. It was as fol- ows: To the Honorable t.e Board of Super- visors of the City and County of 8an Fran- cisco—Gentlemen: Your Committee on Water and Water Supplies begs leave to state that the annual statement of the Spring Valley Water Company has been examined and consideration given to that statement which shows that the actual increase on the income of said company over that of last year is only $548, show- ing clearly the effect of the resolution which s'our honorable board passed reduc- ing and fixing the rates for the year com- encing July 1, 1897. Notwithstanding ihe increascd income from the city and county and from water ratcs, and al- theugh the collections of the rates so fixed are for a perfod of six months, the T It has conclusively shown that the said resolution has materially reduced the income of the company. The investigation last year was pro- longed, and very fully presented the questions that were to be adjudicated. The fact that every indication points to a dry winter and the consequent ex- pense entailed by reason theceof in pump- ing ter to the high levels for the pro- tection of life and property and to afford a plentiful supply for sanitation cannot be lost sight of, and while your coramittee does not feel justified inrecommendingany increase in the rates, yet every considera- tion induces your committee not to cur- tail the revenue of the company, as tne works must be adequate at all times o furnish such a supply of water as may be required for the use of the Inhabitants and for protection against fire. As stated, the actual revenue of the company was $58 for the year 1897 in of the year 19, and certainly no £00d reason appears to warrant disturb. ing or changlng the rates heretofore established. Your committee has considered the communication from the Spring Valley Water Works for an increased allow- ance for pumping and the construction of additional works, and is opposed to and report against making any additional al- lowance, as the company has it in its power to regulate its expenditures and by this power to determine the amount of the inter to be paid on the stock of the company A majority of the members of your com= mittee, believing that any further post- ponement of this question may be taken advantage of and place the board in an anomalous position, are, therefore, of opinfon, and so report, that the rates charged and collected for the year com- mencing July 1, 1867, be established as the rates to be charged for the year com- mencing July 1, 1898, and that a resolu- tion embodying sald rates be adopted by your honorable board. Dodge moved that the report be di- vided into two sections. ‘“Let us first vote on the adverse report to the granting of the request of the water company concerning the pumping sta- tions,” said he. There was no objection, but before proceeding the minority report, signed by Drs. Dodge and Clinton, was also read. Chairman Clinton ruled that the mi- PRS- I ] pLLy Supervisor Dodge Proving to His Associates, From the Figures Furnished by the Spring Valley Officials, That If the Haskins Wate Rate Schedule Were Adopted the City Would Pay the Company $142,500 More Than It Asked. nority report, recommending the em- ployment of an engineer, had prece- dence. “Before you proceed, gentlemen,” said Attorney Kellogg, “Engineer Schussler would like to make a brief statement.” “I think the board thoroughly under- stands everything,” sald Dodge, “but I will not offer any objection to grant- ing Engineer Schussler the privilege of & statement.” Schussler said that it was a year ago instead of a few months ago when he announced that the company had an ample supply of water to furnish the city, in the event of there being two or three dry winters. “We still have enough water,” he added, “for there is 1,400,000,000 gallons in the Crystal Springs reservoir. It is the upper res- ervoirs that supply the Western Addi- tion that are nearly depleted. Then the request for $900,000 has not been clearly explained. Two hundred and eighty thousand dollars of the sum is wanted for a new pipe line from San Andreas, as the one in use is about worn out; $200,000 for extending mains in the city in the outlying districts and $320,000 for new pumping stations to get water into the reservoirs on the upper levels."” 5 “Don’t you think that under the ex- isting rates you can set aside enough for all that work?” asked Supervisor Smith. “I don’t think so.” “I think that an engineer should be appointed to look into the pumping station question,” said Dodge. “The ‘Western Addition is building up rap- idly and more water is required there. In addition there has been a great waste of water. I don’t think it fair to say to the water company that we don’t believe the statement that addi- tional pumping stations are required.” “I shall vote to give every one a fair chance,” said Dr. Rottanzi, “and T hope the minortiy report will prevail.” A vote was taken and the minority report lost, Dodge, Lackmann, Rottan- zi and Clinton alone voting for it. The majority report, in so far as it related to denying the request for pumping stations, was carried without discussion. The matter of adopting the Haskins order was then taken up for considera- tion. Supervisor Dodge said he wished to introduce an amendatory resolution and schedule, whereby at least $128,000 could be saved to the city after giving the water company all it asked for. Britt was opposed to any schedule be- ing introduced at that time. He said that the adoption of the report would not fix the rates. That would have to be considered afterward. “If this course is to be pursued,” re- plied Dodge, “it practically amounts to gag law. 1 think I should be given an opportunity to prove, if I can, that the Haskins order as now in operation will give the company much more than is asked during the coming fiscal year. It will also give the company 8 per cent, whereas we are pledged to only allow & ber cent on the invested capital. The members of this board cannot be ex- pected to stultify themselves. If they adopt the report it is not likely that they will afterward vote against the Haskins schedule. It is strange that Supervisor Britt wants to vote before hearing all the evidence.” Supervisor Smith said that he could not see any objection to giving Dodge an opportunity to be heard. “This matter means a saving of fully $128,000 to the city,” said Chairman Clinton, “and Dr. Dodge should be listened to.” Britt withdrew his Dodge proceeded. objection and “I am going to prove,” said he, “that the Haskins schedule gives the water company much more than it asks for at our hands. I will use the figures given by the company's officials to prove my as- sertion. Secretary Booker testified that the revenue from householders amounts to $1,800,000 annually. He estimates the rents of the new building at $27,000 and increased business at $65,000, making a total annual revenue of $1,892,000. What does the company ask for? Four hun- dred and ninety-eight thousand five hundred dollars for interest on bonds, $105,000 for taxes, $43,000 for interest on floating debt, $400,000 for running -ex- penses. Now in my figures I have al- lowed $460,000 for running expenses, as I thought the pumping stations might be allowed. I allow $697,000 for divi- dends at 5 per cent, making a sum total of $1,803,500, or $88,500 more than the company asked for. You decided to re- fuse to allow interest at 6 per cent on $800,000 for the stations, and that is another saving of $54,000, making a to- tal of $142,500 given under the Haskins order in excess of what the company require. We can easily cut down this surplus of $142,500 and deal fairly with the company. Secretary Booker testi- fied before us that the income for 1897 from meters was $542,000. 1 propose that we make a cut of 10 per cent in the existing meter rates.. From the same source we receive the information that the receipts from householders on floor space amounted to $484,980. I pro- pose a cut of 20 per cent on household- er rates, amounting to $96,996. This would make a total cut of $151,196. Bear in mind that I have left $60,000 in the running expense account that is not necessary, as the pumping stations are not to be granted. What is the result? The company stands $51,404 ahead after making a 10 per cent cut on meters and 20 per cent on householder rates. These calculations are made from the com- pany’s figures and I challenge anyone to prove that they are incorrect. If we adopt the Haskins order as it now stands we will violate our pledges to the people by giving the ¢company over 5 per cent interest on the investment. They can pay interest at 6 per cent on $900,000 they claim they require and still have an excess of $88,500."” “From these figures,” said Dr. Rot- tanzi, “it can be easily seen that the company can pay 6 per cent and still have a balance of nearly $10,000 at the end of the year. Then we have not taken into consideration the rental that will come from the company's old building on California street.” “Have the company officials any questions to ask me?"” asked Dr. Dodge. Schussler and Kellogg remained si- lent. “The company admits the correct- ness of my figures by its silence,” add- ed Dr. Dodge. “I now move that the new schedule be based on the Haskins order, with a 10 per cent cut in meters and 20percenton householder rates. In order that the members may have time to consider the matter I move a recess until 1:30 o’clock this afternoon.” Sheehan objected to a recess and Dodge withdrew his motion. “I don't see how any member can vote for the Haskins order in the face of these fig- ures,” added Dodge, ‘and keep his pledge to the people. If the board re- fuses to accept my order a serious mis take will be made and the members placed in a bad light. I now move that my order take the place of the Haskins order in the report of the Water Com- mittee.” Lackmann seconded the motion. Dr. Rottanzi offered as a substitute measure an order providing for a 10 per cent cut in meter rates and that hydrant rates be reduced from $5 to $2 50. “A schedule of this character,” said he, “will mean a reduction of $150,000.” Dr. Clinton then took the floor after calling Dr. Dodge to the chair. “I de- sire to introduce,” said he, “the sched- ule I presented last year making a clean cut all around of 20 per cent. I know that it is useless to waste time in argument, for I regret to see that most of the members have made up their minds. The figures presented by Dr. Dodge show that if the Haskins order is again adopted it means nothing more and nothing less than a present of $150,000 to the Spring Valley Water Company. Any one of the last three measures introduced will give the members a chance to redeem their pledges. My schedule will give the com- pany 4 per cent interest, and as it had 6 per cent last year it will amount to an average of 5 per cent, and 5 per cent is what we promised the people we would give.” The Clinton order was then taken up and defeated by the following vote: Ayes—Clinton, Dodge, Rottanzi, Lack- mann; noes—Devany, Haskins, Dela- ny, Sheehan, Morton, Britt, Smith and Rivers. “The memebers are putting them- selves in an unenviable light,” sald Dodge, warningly, “by giving the com-~ pany more than it asks. “The Haskins schedule has been in operation for going on eight months,” replied Britt, “and I have not heard any serious opposition to it. It is bet< ter to stick to it than try new experi- ments.” A vote was taken on the Rottanzi or- der, and it was defeated by the same vote as the Clinton schedule. “It is wrong, gentlemen,” said Clin- ton, “to present the Spring Valley Wa- ter Company with $150,000.” The solid eight paid no heed to his remarks, for they promptly voted down the Dodge order. “I move that the report of the com- mittee recommending the Haskins or- der be adopted, aid Sheehan. S We d better take an adjournment until 2:30 o’clock,” suggested Clinton, “in the hope that some of the members may experience a change of heart.” “We don’'t want any recess,” said Britt. ‘“We can soon finish up the busi- ness. The report was adopted by the same vote as before, and Britt moved that the Haskins schedule be adopted for thé fiscal year 1898-99. “‘Let us postpone action until the reg- ular metting of the board next week. The Supreme Court may in the mean- time decide that we are not legally in office,” said Clinton. “I have stood all the abuse I am go- ing to stand from the press,” said Britt, “and I am prepared to vote. I move that we rise as a committee of the whole and report back to the board.” Ciinton, Dodge, Lackmann and Rot- tanzi, seeing that the eight had their minds fixed, gave up the battle. The committee reported to the board and Britt moved that the Haskins schedule be adopted. “Can_we do so?" asked Dodge. “Should the matter not be taken up at the regular meeting?"” Clerk Russell was appealed to on the legal point. “You are now sitting as a Board of Supervisors,” he replied. Britt thereupon renewed his motion, and the schedule was adopted, Super- visors Lackmann, Clinton, Dodge and Rottanzi alene voting against it. Francisco, for the sum of $5, 8o you can have some idea of what things cost here. Meat now is $1 50 per pound whol sale; flour, $135 per sack of fifty pounds. Men' are paid $1 50 an hour, and they are not worth that much per diem. Without exception this camp has fewer mining men than any other place I ever was in, | They have not the slightest conception of { mining. The only wonder to me is the | DIRE FAMINE IN | DAWSON (ITY fact that this place has been able ‘to exist as long as it has under the terrible prices here demanded for everything. Peoplo -in_ San Francisco—even Bloss & Food an Fuel Cannot Be |Co.tcannot conceive the condition of af- B A faits here “There is absolutely nothing ou to be obtained, and it will be fully two g at Any years before these mines can be han- Erice dicd as they should be on account of the | want of the ordinary essentials for work, let alone living. Wood sells here at $50 a cord. There is plenty of it, but no means | of quick or easy transportation. % | To go back to the mines, they are cer- Statements of a Letter Received | tmm;.g extraordiparily rich, but this : present system of work must be largely From a Weli-Known or entirely abandoned and corporations i o >3 | must take hold and ciean out this crow: Mining pert. | of good-for-nothings and a new era will As for the Alaska Commercial dawn. > and Northr American SRR C desie : only two business concerns here, Poverty and Hunger the Lot of Many | they must bs met with a decided opposi- Residents of the Arctic | tion, and traders must come in here, where there is ample room, if transpol tation lines are established. Situated thesc companies are, they will throw every obstacle In the way of any and everybody coming in to compete with them and thus keep up all their sales, and slowly but surely absorb all the gold output by the Infamous prices of supplies. : The Alaska Commercial Company dur- ing the present famine has never raised City. A recent letter from Dawson City | tells of dire famine, and it seems that | the relief expedition will be of very lit- | #tle use unless it shall arrive in Dawson y ] le t T | the prices on any" staple article and has mp he; midd:;o_tv he pres‘efll month. been very just, but the North American rofessor Price, the well-known as- | Transportation and Trading Company, as sayer of this city, has received a letter | scon as its nds that the Alaska Com- ror gustus > it | mercial Company has sold out any -ar- from Sususths J; Bowle, an authouity | ;03 Jump the price 300 per cent or more. on hydraulic mining, now in Dawson | Coal ofl sells for $i0 per gallon and can- for a New York syndicate, which fully | dles fetch $1 cach and are esteemed & lux- ury for breakfast, The restaurants are all closed, as are the bakers and butchers, and bacon is a thing of the past. The | poorest_whisky made on the spot com- describes the situation there. ter is dated December 3. says: Note the hcur and the temperature— 2:50 p. m, and 2 degrees below sero - 1| little at that figure. 4 ) have just returned from a trip up the| Light just now is the most important Yukon to the Klondike, only a mile above | Proposition on hand. One cannot buy this place, and have sald good-ky to the | candles or oil now for love or money, sun for to-day. The mines arc all frozen, | and I car’t say how I am going to drag and we are enjoying the pleasures of an | Out some of these long nights. I have Arctic winter with none of the comforts | Only spent one night in the town, as the of civilization. Our means of transport | Place is absolutely too disgusting for any- are nominally by dog sleds, but shouRi | thing. Gin mills, loose women, dance you for one moment think that you | houses, gambling dens, and other deli- Wwould enjoy a sled ride of this kind you | cacles of the same order are rampant. would be sadly mistaken. trip with | There is not the slightest doubt that dogs up here means going on “shank’s | many a poor fellow has died en route here mare.” If you ride you are thrown out | and will never more be heard of, A man by an upset, or get out because you find | who came in the other day via Dyea told Yyourself on the point of freezing stiff, | me that on the way down he saw men's with a possibility of Jeaving one of your | arms sticking up out of the ice (the body extremities in the sled. |-belng out of sight) grasping oars, planks One thing is fortunate—we are not |and pieces of wood which the oubled with a wind of any kind, so |had grabbed as they were at as 2 matter of fact I do not feel | the ice floe. even 15 degrees below zero here as much The famine here cannot be pictured in Js I did some of the cold days In San | too awful a form, and soon the fuel will i";flnclsco. give out on us, as men cannot work with- bought a bottle of ink to-day, out food, and there is no food for wood- pvhich you would pay b cents The let- In it Bowie oor fellows | mands $5 per bottle, and you can buy but | rowning in| Zouinst Ciunle was continued 1n foree 1 town who earns a scanty living by mak- ing fur caps was sittlng in her cabin sew- ing with her feet resting under a Yukon stove (a mere sheetiron box. Not being a capitalist, she had only green wood to burn, and not much of that. This kind of wood gives out very little heat d when the poor creature fried to arise from her seat, she found that both feet had been frozen as far-as the ankles. Needless to say, she had to have them both ampu- tated. Some large sales have been made here to Eastern parties, $324,000 having been paid for three claims on Bonanza Creek, and $24,000 for two_others. Twenty have been bought on El Dorado Creek for $100,- 000. Sulpbur ‘and Dominion creeks now offer the best advantage for money. The yield of all the claims will, I think, be less than last year, as there are no supplies here for labor or materials to work with. And the famine s sure to kill off many laborers. If I do not starve to death I shall be very lucky. SOUTHEKN PACIFICPROMOTIONS Railway Employes Who Will Fill New Positions in March if Uncle Collis Approves. Owing to a mumber of vacancles that have occurred in the Southern Pacificdur- ing the past year Vice-President Stubbs has decided to submit the following list to C. P. Huntington for promotion to the positions named: William Sproule, at present general freight agent, to be freight and traffic manager; A. D. Shepard, general freight and passenger agent at Los Angeles, to fill the position left vacant by the pro- motion of Sproule. George W, Luce is slated for the Los Angeles position, and will_take with him 8. N. Boswick and G. A. Parkyns as assistants. These changes will take place in March next, provided they meet the approval of Mr. Huntington. —_——— A Fatal Fall. J. Zimmer, a longshoreman employed on the Waila Walla, met with sudden death vesterday while in the performance of his duties. He was engaged with others in hauling the gangplankonboard thesteam- er when the rope slipped out of his hand and he fell backward into the hold. When picked up he was breathing his last, his skull having been fractured. The body was taken to the Morgue and an inquest will be held Thursday morning. —_———— The Insurance Ifijuncflon. TUnited States Circuit Judge Morrow yesterday morning continued until March 7 the hearing of the application of the foreign insurance companies to restrain Insurance Commissioner Clunie from de- claring their bonds void. The temporary restraining order heretofore granted until that time. ——— Landaus, wagonettes, traps and drags of the latest designs at O’'Brien & Sons’, . | Golden Gate avenue and Polk street. BONDIOLDERS WIN A VICTORY The Supreme Court Reaffirms Its Decision in the Sacra- mento Case. A Case Which Involves the Question ©f Bonds Bearing Interest After Maturity. The Supreme Court handed down a decision yesterday in which a bare ma- Jority of Justices reaffirmed a former decision by the same court on the 9th of June, 18%. The decision affects cer- tain bondholders who hold the bonds of the City of Sacramento issued by authority of the Legislature in 1858, maturing in 1888, and bearing a cer- tain rate of interest, as provided in the act of authorization. The question at issue is whether the bonds should cease to carry interest after date of maturity or not. The case at bar was commenced in Sacramento by W. §. Kendall against the Treasurer of that city, and the Treasurer entered a demurrer, which Wwas sustained by the Judge of the Su- perior Court. From this position E. S. Pillsbury, a San Francisco attorney, took an appeal to the Supreme Court. The court in June, 1896, sustained the position taken by Mr. Pillsbury. In this decision, which was written by Justice Henshaw and concurred in by Justices Garoutte, Temple and Harri- son, the Judge of the Sacramento court was instructed to vacate his order sustaining the Tresurer’s demur- rer and have him put his answer in, thus permitting the case to proceed to trial on its merits. The City of Sacramento then applied for a rehearing of the case in bank. This petition was granted and the case was heard a second time by the Judges of the Supreme Court, with a precisely similar result. The concurring opinion simply said “for the same reasons as given in the decision of June 9, 1896, the case is sent back with instructions to the trial court to vacate fts previous order and permit the Treasurer to an- swer.” Justice McFarland simply quotes his dissenting opinion as written by him on the former decision, while Chief Justice Beatty devotes several pages to his dissenting opinion, and in con- clusion Justice Van Fleet concurs with his chief. As the case now stands it will have to be tried in ome of the Superior Courts, and the question whether the bonds shall bear interest after matur- ity or not will be finally determined. As it now stands Mr. Pillsbury has scored a point in the interest of the bondholders. —_— e Baldwin Hotel Lease. The terms of the lease by which E. J. Baldwin let his big hostelry to the Bald- win Hotel Company were made public vesterday when the instrument was put on record. The rent is as follows: August, 1897, $3166 66 for one month; September, 1897, to and including July, 1898, $366666 a month; August, 1888, to and including July, 1899, $4166 66 a month; August, 1899, to and including September, 1900, $4333 33 a month, with privilege of additional five years at a rental to be agreed on. D ————————— Accepts a New Position. F. F. Connor, general agent for the Oregon Rallway and Navigation Com- pany, will shortly leave that position to take charge of the business of the Pana- ma Railway and Steamship Company, which has been without a representative here for over a year. Mr. Connor's authority will extend to all the company's business on the Pacific Coast of North, Central and South America, reaching as far south as Valparaiso, General Manager R. L. Walker of the same company {s at the Palace, and says he expects the new wharf at Panama, which is three miles in length, will be finished about June next. R u— The Pool Tournament. In the handicap pool tournament now being held at Frank's billlard parlors, on Sunday night Jim Burrows, the present champion of the Pacific Coast, after a hard-fought and briliant game, was de- feated by Swain, who played % wvalls to the champion’s 100. The score at the finish was 90 to 86 in favor of Swain, and Bur- rows’ defeat was somewhat of a surprise to his admirers. The same evening Cash Sloan, the jockey, was rather easily dis- posed of by Johnson, who won by the score of 100 to 53. —_——— Pulled His Whiskers. ‘W. P. Bock, proprietor of the Valencia Hotel, 718 Valencia street, obtained a war- rant in Judge Campbell's court yesterday for the arrest of R. Reordon, his cook, on the charge of battery. Bock said that he and Reordon had a dispute "Saturday night about wages, and the cook, after swearing at him, took hold of his long whiskers and twisted them so hard that he nearly fainted. He has been unable to sleep since from the pain. 5 DANCED FOR THE LAST TIMBE Final Meeting of the Pop- ular Monday Night Dancing Class. The last meeting of the Monday Nights was held last evening at the usual meet- ing place of this popular dancing club— Golden Gate Hall. In honor of the af- fair being the final gathering the hours were prolonged from midnight to 1 a. m. Palms and ferns made a tasteful decora- tion and formed a cool, picturesque zc;:gn. behind which the musicians pre- The patronesses of the class, Mesdames Willlam Gwin Jr., George Pape, Osgood Hooker, W. E. Lester, Taylor, Carolan, Smedberg, Southard Hoffman, T. C. Van Ness, Thomas Breeze, Paul Jarboe and Sidney Smith, received the guests, nearly 300 in number. * Although there is a possibility that the Monday Night will hold an assembly dur- ing Easter week, nothing definite as yet has been decided in the matter. —_—————— BURLAP GOODS. Not Regarded as Paper Stock and Must Therefore Pay Duties Till Final Proof Is Made. The, following circular from the Treasury Department has been received by Collector Jackson: The Department is advised that burlap goods suitable for baling of cotton or the manufacture of coarse sacking, and du- tiable under paragraphs 343 and 344 of the act of July 24, 1897, are admitted at some of the ports free of duty as paper stock under the provisions of paragraph 632 of sald act, the invoices specifying the goods as paper stock. You are, instructed to cause a careful examination to be made of all importa- tions of this character, and to assess duty thereon at the appropriate rates in ail cases where in the opinion of the Apprais er the article is found capable of u other than as paper stock, leaving the im- porters to their remedy by protest, under the provisions of section 14 of the act of June 10, 1890, when the question of fact as to the use of the article can be brought before the Board of General Appraisers. —_———— JUNIOR DAx. Entertainment and Ball in Celebra- tion of Washington’s Birth- day. Ever since the organization of the Junior Order of American Mechanics on the 17th of May, 1853, the members there- of, wherever there have been councils, have celebrated the anniversary of the birth of George Washington. The local councils of the order will on the evening of the 22d inst. celebrate the day by an entertainment and ball in Odd Fellows’ Hall, and in this they will ve assisted by the councils of the Daughters of Liberty. The committee on entertain- ment, consisting of Messrs. Basch and Kincaid and Mrs. Strong, have prepared the following programme for the occa- sion: Opening address by te 4 Henry C. Shaertzer; vocalization, little Rosie Bennett; banjo selections,” J. E. Appleby; vocal solo, Miss Clodie Bridge; recitation, M Flora Bowley; colored specialties, Miss Ollie Patterson and the Columbian Lady Minstrels; fancy dance, Miss Hattie Wright; tenor solo, M. Jones: contralto solo, Miss Erskine. This will be followed by the ball, of which E. N. Dodge will be the floor manager, assisted by the reception and floor committees. The former is composed of Seth R. Arm- strong, W. E. Bouton, D. C. Kincaid, Henry Lowe Lindsey, Miss Tda Fulton and Miss Laura Cantus; and the latter ig eomposed of C. L. Girard, C. H. Fanchier, H. A. R._Hansen, F. A. Miller, 0. C. Baldwin, Mrs. F. E. Bowley and Miss Annie McIntyre. State Councilor ADVERTISEMENTS. Producesa JET BLACK enamel TheModem S'I; OVE l’()l.ISHi Saving. 5 and 10 cent boxes. Try it on your Cycle Chain. J. L. PRESCOTT & CO., NEW YORK. oss. Dustless, Odorless, Labor