Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1858-07-14
WATER. WATER. WATER -


To the Editor Of the Star:
My attention was called to an article in your
local columns on Wednesday, designed to cse-
brate the wonderful efficiency and zeal Of the
Ward Commissioner, in discovering that the
water pipes of the city were tapped in several
places, and seeking to convey the impression tn t
he had acted the part of great public bensf C r
to various suffering citizens. Now, as | happen
to be one Of those who were victim.z by this
energetic Commss ioner, 1t Is only fair the public
should hear the other 81 ,e Of the story. | own
and occupy house which has always had the
use of the water, and 1t was one of the induce
ments which led to the purchase. Since the
property came into my hands, have understood
the water was originally introd ed with the
knowledge of, IL not with the consent Of, the
Commissioner; aud it is within my personal
knowledge that the recent performance Of that
func ionary was no such discovery as is now
ella med.
While find no fault with any public officer
Tor the discharge Of bis duty under the laws
however much it may affect my personal conve-
nIence, cannot but feel disguise at the parade
of pretensioDs which are wholly unfounded
And until sufficient proof is furnished that this
exhibition Of alleged zeal was prompted by pub
lie reasons only, | shall indulge the opinion
which is authorized by some little experience
that other considerations were equally potential
80 lar as the actual supply Of water is concerned
il is easy to prove by actual observation and conn.,
parlson that more than ten times the quantity is
now wasted at the hydrants than could have been
C consumed by the ten twelve houses which
have been cut of, had their pumps been kept in
constant motion. And it is also capable of de-
monstration, that if every house was allowed to
enjoy the privilege of tapping this water which
Is conceded by the Govern for the use of the
city, 1t would be attended with economy in the
consumption. l have had occasion to examine
this matter with some care. And while il is said
that the tappings were removed to supply per-
sons 90 between Twelfth and Fourteenth streets
aud the avenue and Canal street. it is notorious
that the cutters of Thirteenth and Fourteenth
streets have been daily filled with running
streams OF this very water. And such was pre-
ciseiy the experience last year, when this idcnt-
lcal Commissioned performed similar prodigies
OF energy, which cost some Of us no triis TO re-
pair.
If it can be shown, that by an absolute waste
OF ten or twenty times the quantity of water con-
sumcd Dy the few hous which have been cut
OF, any body has been benefited, then | will
agree that the Commissioner ought to have the
leather medal he seems ambitious of getting
IL the supply which the Government aud not the
city, provides, has not been equal to the demand
tue fault is with the Commissioner aforesaid
VINO has not taken the necessary steps to prevent
The pTodIgal and wantOn Waste which is now
witnessed by those who are suffering for The
want OF 1t. There is water enough daily run
through the cutters, within half dozen so uares
10 bath the whole population, and vet we are i'm
PeItlnently told the supply is short.
w hen the appropriations for this city come up
before Congress next winter, promise for one
that the public shall be allowed To understand
how some Corporation officers, under pretences
OF the public zeal, contrve to serve personal in
teTe>t man may be willing to be taxed or
even biac k-Inailed without submitting to have
his intelligence insulted
Your lot al reporter, doubtless under the inspi
ration OF this over jealous Commissioner, gives
notice that since information has been obtained
relative to the tapping OF some of the pes il IS
quite probable teGC cases will be tried by the
law in relation to that affair."
suppose he means TO say the Commissioner
Will select bis victims just IL il likely he ex-
ercised the privilege of discrimination, in regard
TO the houses from which the water should e
cut OH. shall take care to have myself included
among that select few - for the special purpose
OF producing witness or two for the e,sitication
OF the Commissioner and the community In
The meantime, we shall whether this eacep-
uonal mode OF visiting one set of x-payers with
vengeance, while another set is to be excused
Will be countendnced by those to whom the
COMMISSIONED owes obedience.
L would suggest TO the Commissioner ref rred
TO, that be might employ the labo! ers under his
cOntrol-whom We are taxed to support as for
his own salary,-much more prOftably In CLEANS
ing the grass-grown cutters and crossings aud
thus helping To preserve the health of the city,
thdn In digging trenche. in the streets under the
petext OF saving the water, which by that very
means Is lost by - IS of thousands of gallous
every day in the week. A TAxPAyER