National Republican., 1879-07-26
THE WATER RATES.

The farmer has not looked more anxious
ly to the heavens for water supply to irri-
gate his farm and give productiyeness TO
his crops during the present heated and |
parching term than the water consumers of
Washington have looked to the District |
Commissioners for some sensible and just
solution of the water supply question, MS
presented for their consideration under
largely increased rates. We doubt if there
is water consumer in the city but who
stands ready to pay any water rates that
are legitimate and just, and TO do so cheer
fully; but this unlooked-for and excessive
advance in the rates has naturally led to
dissatisfaction and inquiry why such ad
vance has been made and by what author
| ity of law. The Commissioners have con-
sented to present the public with q state
ment which sets forth the necessities for
the proposed advanced rates, accord ing to
statistics drawn from their books, but rs we
look at the case they fail to show how such
a necessity can possibly exist if the law un-
der which they act, aud which is clear and
explicit, has been observed in the manage
ment of the water fund. That law is us
| follows:
SEC l9S The water rates levied In Washing
ton and Georgetown shall never be source OF
| revenue other than as u means of keeping up
TO said cities u supply of water, but shall con-
stitute a fund exclusively for the mainte-
nance, management, and repair of the system
of water distribution.
Have the terms of this law been strictly
followed and adhered TO? And, if so, what
has become of the money which belongs to
that fund, which, under the law, is "excu-
"siyely for the maintenance, management,
I" aud repair of the system of water distri-
button 2" That is what the water con-
sumers are the most anxious to know at this
interesting juncture, when they are con-
fronted with an advance of rates of nearly
20 per cent, and unless we mistake their
temper they will not be satisfied with any
thing less by way of a solution Of the vexed
question.
The statement made by the Commission
ers regarding the water rates, which ap-
peared in The REPUBLICAN yesterday
morning contains much information and
, gives very clear explanation of the pro-
cess of figuring by which they arrived at
; the present exorbitant rates. 1t is made
J very plain that water-taliers ut the present
! time have to bear the burdens of an indebt-
edness incurred without the full authority
of law, and at a time when money was spent
with reckless extravaganza. The receipts Of
the Department during the last fiscal year
are stated at $10s,G32, in addition to which
Si4, 600 was borrowed from the general
= funds of the District to pay for interest and
: sinking fund. The requirements of the
Department are estimated at Sl7O,06O in-
Guiding the payment Of the 4I,60O, and the
S25 900 for improving the water supply on
Capitol Hill. The requirements Of the pres
ent year, ii will be seen, exceed the receipts
of the past year by 63! per cent, and that
, figure may be taken as the gross amount of
the tax under the increase; and yet the
estimated receipts for water rents for the
,, present year are Sl22,9l3, rs against the re-
ceipts of last year, which were SS3 ,5s309,
making an increase Of 6S per cent in the
: estimated receipts Of the present year after
making due allowance for delinquencies
over the actual receipts of last year Even
with these figures, the receipts from water
taps, permits, and water-main taxes being
reasonably estimated at the same figures as
, the actual receipts of last year, the total re-
ceipts for the present year are reckoned AT
; $147 7ss2.25, thus leaving q deficiency Of
J S23O77.75 under the stimatedrequirements
And now, strange to say, the Commission
. ers inform water consumers that, after load
= ingupon their shoulders this heavy burden o.
" 6s per cent advance, there will be a de-
: ficiency to confront them with still further
taxation,
One thing is very certain. If the conduct
of the Commissioners in managing the water
. supply aud its funds is intrenched in law
Q then it can be successfully delended but i
c the law has been violated, and the fund
. that have been consecrated to the mainte
4 "nance, management, and repair Of the sys
: " TEN of water distribution" have been di
y verted to other purposes not authorized b,
G law, or have been squandered improperly, o
n have 10 any extent been embezzled, tn,
}, Commissioners can scarcely be held blame
a less if they conceal those facts from th