The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1897-12-22
4 CHANGE IN RATES
BY WATER COMPANY
Inau6urated in Cases Of Some Consumers
During November.
MINIMUM PLAN DROPPED
Meter Readings Given and All Bills Are
Greatly Reduced.
THE INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE
Held Meeting Last Night-Testimony intro
duced on Rates and Quality of Water
Another Session VIII Be
Held December 30.
MINIMUM PLAN DROPPED
THE INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE

From the evidence thus far adduced be-
fore the water investigation committee the
construction is drawn that the Water
Works company has inaugurated some
material changes in regard to rates, begin
ming with the month of November.
Before that date in many instances
minimum rate was charged and no water
readings given on the face of the bills.
Beginning with November many consumers
testify that the meter readings We're given
and the calculations made thereby In
every case the bills were greatly reduced.
The agitation by The Age-Herald and
numerous consumers, as seen in the public
eye, has brought about this change. The
object is obvious The attorneys for T.
II. Motion are always very particular to
bring out that the change was made when
public agitation was started.
The water committee held another meet
ing in the city council chamber last night.
1t is a strange coincidence, but every time
this committee holds meeting the MEM
bers are forced to go to the city hall in a
down-pour of rain.
Several witnesses were examined last
night and benson and Tanner, representing
Il. H. Motion, announced that the testi-
mony they would introduce was all in with
the exception of an analysis of the water.
Attorney London, of the Water company,
said he had testimony to introduce. but
was not prepared at that time, and the
committee adjourned to meet again Deem
Der 30.
Alderman Kerr presided at the meeting
last night, and there were present Messrs.
Hentschel, Drennen and Ashford.
The first witness introduced was Bert
Jacobs. He testified as to the amount of
rain fall for the purpose of showing them
when an analysis was made which would
be introduced as testimony, the water
should have been cleanest.
Testimony iu Detail
Mr.. Jemison. of the Florence hotel-He
said the water was of very good quality.
A filter was used for drinking purposes
in the hotel. He thought the water of ev-
erage quality. He testified that bills for
the water used in the house and that in
the elevator were rendered separately. He
said the bill for the elevator varied from
$50 to $40 monthly. The consumption for
the last month was 1,O31,112 gallons
Mr.. London in the cross examination
said that did not look extraordinary.
"It has always seemed extraordinary to
me-" replied the witness.
Mr.. Jemison said he had been kicking
for three years. Once the meter was test
ed. He was not an expert and did not
know whether or not it was done right.
He said once when he complained about
his bill the water company said there was
leak. He had the pipes examined and
found everything as dry as a bone
Something Peculiar
T,,s+
Jemison said: 1.-THE peculiar part of it to
me in this water meter business is that the
bill is just as liable to be large when YOU
have got nothing to use it for as when you
have big crowd I tried to find out the
cause, but finally gave up in despair"
Minis B. Stone, merchant and agent for
filters-In answer to question as to purity
of water he said he had never seen an
analysis of the water, he only knew its
appearance and smell. He said that in the
filters the tube was coated with a Shiny.
yellowish mud. From his knowledge and
experience the water was not clear and
wholesome. 1t contained impurities and
therefore cannot be wholesome. The water
works company formerly had 3-tube filter
I do not know whether it Is still in use I
filter my drinking water
In regard to rates he said his bills av-
eraged s12 per month by meter reading.
He paid 80 cents per thousand gallons for
water.
In cross examination he said he drank
birmingham water many years before he
handled filters. He said there was no water
in this section that would not leave sedi-
ment in the tube Anytime clear water
Is compared with the Birmingham water
the difference Is apparent.
James A. Going-Did not pay any water
bills by meter rent. On a store house in
Seventh avenue he paid $3.50 per month on
entire building, including sleeping rooms.
No distinction was made between stores
and sleeping rooms. 1t was his opinion
that the water was very good. He used
a filter at home. Had a building in Tween
tieth street for which he paid by meter.
Sometimes the readings would be $40 and
again 81 He said he never had any trouble