Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-12-27
The NOV wnter-Tsz Ordlnance.
OFFICE OF CITY WATER-WOREs,
" AIl nmnLu .I-uL---r

No. 9l2 BROAD STREET.
RICHMOND, Va, December %, 1888. )
To the Editor Of the Dispatch:
Dear Sir,-In reply TO your favor Of even
date asking OF me an explanation OF the new
water rates which 20 into effect January l.,
1889: The new water rates were recon-
mended after a careful cOmpRrison with the
rates Of seventy OF the principal cities OF the
United states. and on the whole are lower
than the charges In those cities. In every
instance the charges remain ne same rs for
merly or are reduced. except the charge for
Nater-closcts not self-closing and fer carts
for street. prinklng. The charge Tor SELF
closing water closet is 81, the nou.seli-closing
s. per annum. Each icGier-CiOset not Sct-
CLOSING can he changed 10 Set-cioslpg
closet tOr tie sum Of s. The main change
and reduction in the ordinance is thst pri-
yate families viii be charged only for the
fixtures ihey have in Use aud not Tor the
fixtures. and additionally upon the value OF
their property. The charge for sprinkling
carts was based upon the average rate
charged in other cities. The new regulations
will in my Opiuion be a great protection to
our poorer classes who rent houses. They
90 into houses not knowing the kind Of iiN-
lures or how they are arranged, and suffer
from the annoyance OF burst pipes and
lealv fixtures, on account Of which they are
Frequently subjected 10 the expense OF re-
pairs. OF having the water turned of, and
someiImee fine. Under the new rules the
pipes will have 10 be Of good quality and
The fixtures Of Il gCod deSiQR and protected
from freezing. feel sure that the public
generally will be benefited.
Yours respectfully,
CHARLES +. Boiling, Superintendent.
The Chamber OF Commerce long time
ago pointed out the fact that the water
rates OF Richmond were IN some important
respocIs--iOr steam boilers, for instance
among the very highest IN the country, not
withs;audng some cities pipe their water as
long distance - twelve miles.
The CITY Council has been slow 10 grant
the relief the manufacturers prayed for, aud
row II il j. to be done at the expense Of the
community in general the new ordinance
will be- very unpopular. The result OF il
will be tina; il the landlords viii not put in
new fixtures or alter old ones the tenants
will have to pay the double tax.
As TO the tax on Watering-carts IL is TO be
hoped that It Is not probibitory on the many
squares Of streets where the wSterlngmen
csn Only obtain q few customers. Main,
Broad. Franklin, and Grace streets are in 10
such situation, but Clay, Leigh, Marshall,
Cary. aud numerous other thorougbiares are.
In some sections most OF the residents are
people of moderate means and the watering
men can only obtAin a few subscribers on
each square and can barely meet their ex.
peuses. With the intoleraby dusty streets
that we have in the summer the Watering
cart is not luxury; II is a necessity.
Mr. Bslllng has made such great success
in bis administration Of the Water Depart
ment that he will no doubt ne glad to have
all these mstters thoroughly considered be-
fore II is too late for the City Council, upon
which the whole responsibility rests. TO re-
trace their steps should they 20 desire.