Birmingham age-herald., 1895-05-30
THE QUESTION OF WATER Discussed at a Special Meeting
 of the Council. THE COMPLAINTS PROPOSITION And the Mayors Suggestions Relative Thereto Are Set 0ut-Dscussion by
 Leading Citizens.

The city council held a special meeting yesterday afternoon for the purpose of considering the proposition recently submitted by the Birmingham Water Works company with reference to a new
 contract. The proposition was printed
 in the Age-Herald several days ago. and is substantially as follows: That the water company will furnish the city with water for flushing tanks,
 sewers. etc., and 22S fire plugs. as at
 present. the company not to extend any of it's mains or put in any new fire plugs; the city to put these in. and make the
 extensions at it's own cost. the same to be the property of the water company. The company agrees to make q reduc- tion of 50 per cent in the water rates for the next five years, 75 per cent the sixth year and thereafter the present
 rate. They also agree to accept city scrip in payment for water used by the city, the same to be receivable for taXzs due prior to May |. 1895. After the ex- piration of the five years the city to pay
 money for all water used. Quite a number of citizens were present to participate in the discussion and oth- CTS to listen.
 After reading the proposition Mayor VanHoose submitted the following sug- gestions:
 | 1. That there shall be no charge for | use of the meters. The gas company does l not charge for use of meters. 2. That the price charged for small | houses shall be lower than the present 1 basis.
 | B. That the city can use water for flush l ing gutters. .sprinkling around the schools l and all public city building; use the wa ] ter for washing engines and cleaning pur- | poses without charge.
 1 4 Consumers can use water to sprinkle 1 sidewalks and in front of their houses up.
 to the amount of the number of gallons 1 specified in their rating; that is, that 1 they can use water for any purpose they l please, provided they be on a meter l 5. All consumers of water can get - l discount by payment within certain time. l as provided for by gas companies. 1 6. The 50 per cent cut to date from the | 1st of January, 1895.
 '. Extensions shall be made at the ex- l pense of the water company, but the l company shall not be compelled to make 1 such extensions unless an annual income 1 of 15 per cent on the prime cost of such l extensions can be secured in advance. 1 s, That at the expiration of the five 1 years the city will have the right to pur- chase the water works at price to be l agreed upon by arbitration. l 9. All fire plugs hereafter be put in at 1 the cost of the city shall be owned by l the city and that no charge shall be | made for the use of such additional fire l plugs.
 10. That the price charged consumers l shall be uniform throughout the city | both in the territory which is now em- l braced within the present city lines and l also in the territory which may here l after be acquired and taken in by the 1 city.
 l Members of the board present were l Mayor VanHoose and Aldermen Ward l Enslen, Pearce, Kettig, McCartin, Gil-
 lespie, Meade and Mcknight. Mayor VanHoose stated that the meeting was an informal one and called 1 on any one present who so desired to | offer any suggestions or remarks. l MT. A. T. London, counsel for the wa
 ter works company, In response to a l question Of Mayor VanIIoose, said the 1 company had submitted proposition 1 to which no answer had been received, l and until some answer shall have been l received they had nothing further to l say
 Capt. w. H. Graves read extracts from l the supreme court decision in the case l of Joseph R. Smith, Sr., vs the Bir- I mingham Water Works company, bear l ing on the rates which the water com pany can. according to it's contract with the city, charge for water supplied do- l nestle consumers.
 He said that the company charged. 1 rates that the contract did not warrant l He said the company now proposes to l give the city water at half rate for five | years. That's the sugar in the cocoa l nut. If they want to give the city water | at half rates. take it, but stop there. l He opposed the proposition, as a whole l and advised the issuing of interest," l bearing scrip to the water company l The present contract, he argued should I be compiled with by both parties l Mayor VanHoose said it was illegal
 for the city to issue interest bearing 1 scrip. 70 Captain Graves, continuing, said un | der the decision of the supreme court
 the company had no right to put a me l ter in residence. Under the contract l he said, they had the right to put meters l in business houses and charge for water used. But the consumer should not be required to pay for more than he uses. He opposed any change in the present contract.
 | MT. w. B. Leody said he represented | large consumers of water, and wanted l to enter a protest against any change in | the contract at present in force He l preferred special levy to pay off the water debt to any change in the con | tract
 MT, E. J. Smyer said that he repre- scented company that owned considera- ble property in the city, and appeared at their direction. He said the proposed contract gave the city a. reduction a thing to be desired. But, he asked, will it increase the cost to consumers? That question, he thought should be settled