The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1885-03-20
THE WATER WORKS QUESTION

sa@l-- w. N
Over Mt Martins Ferry-A Cltxcn's View
of 1t.
To the Editor at the Iatelltgaeer.
sR: On Saturday, the elst inst, the
people Of Martins Ferry will vote their
sentiments on the proposed erection of a
water works, and the Issuing Of bonds for
that purpose TO an amount not exceeding
100000. One Of the most prevalent fears
in the minds OF many thoughtful persons,
Is that the adoption Of the measure would
increase taxes more than we are now able
to bear. A few suggestions on this aspect
OF the case, may, l hope, be of service in
reaching conclusion among those who
entertain this apprehension.
The cost OF water works, estimated from
carefully prepared plans and specifications,
is Sfs5, ,000, but allowing percent for con-
the cost would be, say $50, 600,
for which sum there arc now responsible
parties. ready To give bond for the con:
struction OF the works. This once secured,
the expense TO the town, aside from the
bonds, would be annually the interest OF
the bonds and the running expenses oil
the works, which would be the salaries of
the superintendent and an engineer, cost
for fuel, oil, &C., &c.
The interest on Ss0, 600 at 6 percent, is
S., 500 q year. The running expenses OF
the waterworks OF Bellaire, for the past
year, were 81 1900. But placing ours at the
fair allowance Of 81, 900, the total cost
yearly would be 50, 500, a sum that would
be raised from consumers at very much
lower rate than they are now paying for
what little amount Of water they get for
their money.
Suppose an ordinary family OF Eve per.
Sons consume one barrel OF water q week,
q very small quantity indeed. They will
then pay SIS ina year Of 50 weeks at the
regular price Of % cents per barrel, for
water.cart water. But with water works,
they will pay only SIS for tho common use
OF one hydrant in the same length OF time.
Some difference. [
But taking o higher average, including
the nse Of water by plasterers, stone and
brick masons, saloons, hotels, livery
stables, factories, baths, hose, and the
like, and the average would advance to
S. IS per family OF five persons, and still
be 81 less than the yearly cost OF water
cart water. By the last census taken for
school purposes, we have 1,1Sl families.
II 1000 Of the families use water works
water, at s. 7s, that would yield an
annual revenue Of s., $50.
Also we have seventeen factories which
would produce the remaining $1,020 at o
low proportionate rate. Thus We emeet the
$500 annual interest and running ex.
penses, and with an actual saving over old
ways, instead OF increased taxes. THERE'S
no doubt that the total annual yield in
revenue would be greater than here pre-.
sented,
Now for the bonded debt Of $4,000.
Suppose the redemption Of the bonds COM
menced Ave years hence and continued
twenty years, their payment would not be
q serious matter, II we but consider the
help to be, derived from the following
sources: A
7 ]. The increase in our population, say
at the not rapid rate OF s percent yearly.
2. The reasonable, ifnot, indeed, alb.
solute, certainty at no distant day, Of sup.
plying water to. our neighboring towns Of
Etnaville, Bridgeport and Kirkwood,
with their combined population Of 5000,
who are looking forward with peculiar In
This This supply. u too weald6e made At small
extra cost 70 as. for fuel, compared to the
amount Of revenue returned, These
towns will never consent to drink the
sewage constantly flowing into the Rack
river, all the Worse on account OF the dam
and they inevitably look 10 "a for their
water supply.
Bestdes, there would be The resulting
decrease Ia cost oiinsuranee and increase
In the value Of property, Taken oil In all,
these considerations seem TO mo 10 merit
our attention. CITIZEN.
Hmtia's Ferry Hrea 10.