Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1896-09-10
WATER RENTS DISCUSSED.
The Board OF Trade Requests That
They be Lowered.

h'iSy oo h-oWoi Us
Adoption Of n Resolution to be Sent to the
board of Water Cominissioners-TrsGie
Bureau and Other Important Matters
Talked Over. &.
The Board of Trade on Thursday held
its first meeting since last spring, and.
on account of the warm weather, the
attendance was not large.
Tho matter of water rents was the
principal subject of discussion, a ma
jority of the members present being of
the opinion that there might be some
change made in the rates which would
be beneficial to the general public and
not work to the detriment of the. Water
Department.
Chief Bond of the Water Department
was present and answered questions
concerning that body.
Mr.. Bush brought the matter up by |
offering the following and moving itsl
adoption:
''The Board of Trade would reepect-f
fully call the attention of the cityl
Water Department to the fact that in ]
consequence of the extreme depressionJ
in real estate, the reduction of rents
and the uncertainty of their collection
in this city, the charges for water rent
are proportionately much higher and
more onerous to property holders than
| they formerly were.
GAS the financial statement OF the
| department shows large cash balance
| in the treasury over all expenses they
would suggest the propriety of making
pro rata reduction in the SCHEDULED
charges, for the use of water for do
nestle purposes.
In introducing the resolution Mr.
| Bush stated that there had been great
deal of criticism on the present sched-s
ule of charges made by the Water De-
partnent, and especially concerning
the recent advance on a certain do
nestle use of water, which, be believed,
was higher than the charge for water
used in the same manner in PhIladel-
phia. He thought that reduction
might be made in view of the large
surplus turned over to Council.
| Mr. Reed agreed with Mr.. Bond, and
in talking on the subject, related
personal experience, stating that he
had paid for water in idle houses.
which he considered he should not have
been required to do. He was heartily
in favor Of adopting the resolution, as
were also members, who expressed their
views. 5.l.. q
Mr.. Bond said the Water Department
| was required by law to protect itself,
and in order, to do so the department
must have safe surplus 1t is neoes-
sary for the board to have on hand
money to make necessary repairs, and
| as a break is liable to occur at any
time aud a. money cannot be obtained
from City Council or borrowed, it is
incumbent on the board TO protect
itself.
The resolution was approved and 1t
was ordered that copy, signed by the
president and secretary OF the Board af
Trade, be sent TO the Board of Water
Commissioners.
The committee appointed to visit
the Philadelphia Commercial Museum
reported that they had done SO and
were favorably impressed. They pre-
4 sented a comprehensive written report,
which was ordered filed, and tho COM
mittee was discharged with thanks,
they having made the trip at their own
expense.
A communication from William Jonks
Fell requesting the board to consider
some properly at Newport for rhanufa c.
turing purposes was referred to tho In
dustrial Improvement Co.
On motion of Mr.. Bush, Josiah Mar
vel was added to the committee APP
pointed to bring before the Legislature
the Terrence land title matter.
Tbs suhjecr of traffic rates was
brought up, and it was decided that at
the next meeting the board will con-
slider the ACCESSIBILITY of establishing
here traffic bureau to work in con-
junction with the National Transporta-
tion Association. 4M
Mr. Bush of the harbor improvement
committee reported that Gen. Smith
had been communicated with, with q
view to having available funds ex-
pended on the Christiana at once. and
that Gen. Smith had placed the matter
in the hands of the chief engineer, who
is now working ON it. President Law
ton said he had received communi
cation from Washington on the sub
ject.
II being the last meeting of the
boards year, on motion of Mr.. Bush.
President Lawton was extended vote
of thanks for the efficient manner in
I n L T. L 4