The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1895-04-15

general custom for water companies TO
charge a basis rate. or rate for the hrst
faucet. and then rates for water closet,
bath tub, stationary wash bowl, stable
with horses and carriage and use OF hose.
COW, and n rate for the use of hose for
sprinkling lawns. An inspection OF the
rates charged by tho Butte City Water
company will show that there Is no rate
in private families for water closet. bath
tub or wash bowl; family therefore oc-
cupying a six-room house with faucet and
sink in the kitchen, bath tub. water
closet and one or moro stationary wash
bowls-aE of which - an indication of
easy circumstances-would pay no more
water rate than the occupant OF n two or
three-room house with hydrant in the
yard, or one faucet without sink. in the
kitchen. The former, having an unlin-
tied use of water and and an easy means
of disposing of the waste. would without
undue waste OF wafer easily use 5,O00
gallons OF water per month, while the
latter. with no sewer connection, or other
means of disposal of the waste other
than carrying IL out, would not be likely
to use 1000 gallons in tho same time.
This Is an evidence of discrimination
against the small consumer. A read
justment in his favor, even though the
same had TO be made up at tho expense
of those in better circumstances, would
DO greatly appreciated by the poor, aud
an act of justice to the small consumer
THE payment of $l.50 per month for
1000 gallons OF water, or less. Is certainly
hardship, while the payment of a small
charge for the privilege of a water closet,
bath tub and wash bowl would not be felt
By those who are able to afford these lux
uries. While the basis rate of the Butte
City Water company is high, the general OF
total family rate and tho meter rate is
not excessive. when the cost of the works
IS considered.
"While the Butte City Water company
under its franchise and contract has the
privilege OF charging for water, closets,
bath tubs and wash bowls in lodging
houses and other public places, tho family
rate is fixed by the number of rooms rc-
gardicss OF what fixtures they may. con-
tain. The statistics which have gathered
show that water Is supplied by municipal
ownership at from IL to so pcr cent. less
than by private companies.
II have procured statistics of hydrant
rentals throughout the United States, and
have selected from the same about 20
cities from each geographical division and
averaged tho annual ntal. These cities
were selected indiscriminately and in AL
most all cases ranged in population from
10000 to 10000 inhabitants. Practically
all of the large cities and many OF the
small ones own their own water works
and no charge is made for hydrants. The
following figures are therefore for works
owned by private companies:
hydranf rental .................,.... So o5
New York average annual hydrant
rental. % w
Pennsylvania average annual hydrant
rental. $1,000. 90 W
Delaware average annual hydrant
fentai... % w
Maryland average annual hydrans
rental. ..-............. % W
Southern states, average annual Migrant
rental. ............ " W
Middle states, average annual hydrant
rental. % W
'G nusi 6ydrant rental ........... So 90
Average for the United States annual
hydrant rental...... Observation-Disclosures. 45 20
DI rental .... liz 90