144 VALUATION, DEPRECIATION AND THE RATE-BASE ‘““ The use of all water now appropriated, or that may here- after be appropriated, for sale, rental, or distribution, is hereby declared to be a public use and subject to the regulation and control of the State, in the manner to be prescribed by law; provided, that the rates or compensation to be collected by any person, company or corporation in this State for the use of water supplied to any city and county, or city or town, or the inhabi- tants thereof, shall be fixed annually by the Board of Super- visors, or City and County, or City or Town Council, or other governing body of such city and county, or city or town, by ordinance or otherwise, in the manner that other ordinances or legislative acts or resolutions are passed by such body, and shall continue in force for one year and no longer. Such ordinances or resolutions shall be passed in the month of February of each year, and take effect on the first day of July thereafter. (Art. XIV, Sec. 1) (1880) “The right to collect rates or compensation for the use of water supplied to any county, city and county, or town, or the inhabitants thereof, is a franchise, and cannot be exercised ex- cept by authority of and in the manner prescribed by law.” (Art. XIV, Sec. 2) (1880) “In any city where there are no public works owned and controlled by the municipality, for supplying the same with water or artificial light, any individual, or any company duly incorporated for such purpose, under and by authority of the laws of this State, shall under the direction of the Superinten- dent of Streets, or other officer in control thereof, and under such general regulations as the municipality may prescribe for damages and indemnity for damages, have the privilege of using the public streets and thoroughfares thereof, and of laying down pipes and conduits therein, and connection therewith as far as may be necessary for introducing into and supplying such city and its inhabitants either with gas light or other illuminating light, or with fresh water for domestic and all other purposes, upon the condition that the municipal government shall have the right to regulate the charge thereof.” (Art. XI, Sec. 19) (1884) San Francisco Charter Provisions relating to Rates. — The Charter of the City and County of San Francisco (in effect January 8, 19oo) mentions, among the powers of the Supervi- SOIS: