The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1889-09-11
WATER-WORKS WRANGLE.
An Interesting Question Which Concern
All Natcr-Takcr~.

Al interesting question W hifh 'hh''ih~
All Natcr-Takers.
Sir. Charles L. Boiling. superinten1-
ent Of the Water.Works. submitted to
the following chin from TIMES news
gaiherer, Yesterday. on a subject which,
Just at this time. Is creating consldera-
Die excitement among water tax pay
eIs.
MIR. Boiling. hear considerable
complaint about the extra family charge
recently added to the water bills. Will
you please state why this charge is
made and upon what authority p
Chapter q, section %. OF the water
ordinance saws that: w hen the occu
pier Of a lot or tenement on which has
been erected or placed a hydrant, cock
or other fixture to supply water. shall
permit the water TO run from the hy-
drant cock or fixture, without proper
care to prevent waste. or fail to keep
their water pipes and fixtures in good
repair. and protected from freezing: or
shall permit the water to be used, taken
or received by any person other than
the said occupier or a member or visi-
tor of hls family. there shall in each
case be fine on the said 0ccupieT OF
not less than five nor more than twenty
dollars: and there shall be "A like fine
on the person SO using. taking or re-
ceiving the water; and in either case
superintendent of the water works
shall stop the water from the tenement,
aud not turn II on again. until salts
factory assurance is given him that the
I IL. ~
This ordinance has been IN existence
for many years. The Committee on
Water instructed me whenever prem
ises were occupied by more than one
family. rather than report the parties
/ fora fine rs imposed by this ordinance, to
makea charge of one dollar and twenty
five cents per quarter for each family
on the premises. Ii it so happens that
| the family occupying the premises are
poor and unable TO pay for water and are
worthy, the committee has invariably
granted them free use of water. which
Il also authorized in another section OF
the ordinance. You will observe that The
same fixtures are not charged twice las
many persons think. but when per
son is able to pay a water bill charge
is made. in order that all persons using
water shall pay alike. The principa
object of such "A charge is to save tht
annoyance and expense of fine before
the Police Court for allowing the use a
water to those who have paid no bill
aud who are able to pay.
The additional family charges u,u
ally occur in the large and cOmmOdiOu,
houses. which were formerly taxed
for water upon their valuation, and
which now furnish accommodations tor
more than one family"
! IL will b. seen from the foregoing
that the Committee on Water was ac-
tuated by the best motives IA their in
slructions TO Mr.. Boiling. but the PR
tinent question arises. has the commit
| tee the right 10 impose a fine without
authority of ordinance. and legis,aie &c
the extent Of making change against
water-taX payers that Is not plainly
covered IN the ordinance
The City Attorney has been asked fol
! his opinion. and ne has stated tha'
where the Police Justice has fined under
the ordnance his decision stands unit
reversed. but upon the other question
he has not been heard. but says he Wi
give his opinion ii wanted.