The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-02-19
MEMPHIS DAILY APPEAL.
TUESDAY. 49,; FEBRUARY 10. 1880
1ROnL WIrER M ~ cOsE

anon WATER iND IT'S COST.
The Taxing District Government has got
into what might DO termed a snnrl growing
out Of is contracts aud a proposed new
contract with the two water companies,
which, rs our readers know, have CONSOLE
dated aud are now working under one
charter, the Ar,esian Well Company, with
the longest term OF years 10 run, having
gobblcd the old Memphis Water Company,
which has only six years moro OF lifa.
With tins old company the Taxin. Dis.
trict had a contract for the supply OF water
for general public purposes aud for the
municipal buildings aud offices. at the
rate Of $4,000 per annum, aud also
with the new company ut $4,000 per
annum, which last Is 10 b, increased
as the population Of the city increases rs
was explained by AN eminent citizen in an
interview publishodin yesterday Arrr,l,
la addition to this the eminent inter
viewer stated the income Of the united
water companies. Independent oi what
the city pays them, TO b, something enor.
nous even upon the combined and watcrcd
stock. II this be so the Taxing District
Commissioners owe II To the public 10
make q clear explanation Of H. business
relations with the united companies, the
actual amount OF money presently to be-
paid per annum lot water Tor public pur.
poses and the amount oi increase Per
annum per capita Of the population. II
ought also to explain the present pet
capita charge for water by comparison
with other cities and also tho avcrag,
quantity oi water used per capita as com.
pared with other cities and lct thc people
see where and how they stand a. to water
before any further legislation Is granted
for Or aglins, the doublc.hca lcd water
company. an official statement un th.s,
heads may have satisfactory effect thu
no amount Of interviewing pro or Goa can
ever have. Tho people do not ask some.
thing Tor nothing FROM the water com.
pany, but they also DO not want 20 pay
morc Tor water than iis eos, with a reason.
able percentage added. The fact l. that
water, like air and light, should. 70 posi-.
bic, be free. This was long recognized b.,
European nations a. a natural right ol thC
people, honce waior was conducted inl,
Rome and other cities, even Co moIcr
times, by aqucducls ani distributed
by public fountains to the masc
free. But this Is no longer pmru
cable. The modern methods Of dis
u'buiion 10 houses by costly systems %
piping and plumbing make this Inn
possible. Thcrc must be q charge. bu
that charge should b, reduced 10 the low
csi possible limit commensurate with th
cost Of delivery, embracing interest charge
and sinking fund as we'll us running an,
incidental expenses. II this cannot b
done through the united water company
the city las an ample anil complete rom
ely IN It's own hands. Il can Organize iu
own water service, dig wells aud connect
them, Law pipes Tor distribution 10 honsO
connections aud thus insure chcapncs
with abundance aud an absolute com
plIancc with the sanitary regulations ~
quiring the proper flushing Of closets an,
Sewers Tho Taxing District Commits
siones hold all the trumps Ia their hand
In this game with the united water CON
panics and can compel reasonable tern
with more certainty than they ever ha,
with either Of the street railroad con
panies or any Of the corporations il hr
had dealings with.