The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-06-06
A PROPERTY OWNERS KICK
Another Side of the Meter Question
Laid Bare.

Savannah, Ga, June 5, 1897
Editor Mornings News: Being inter-
ested in the water meter question, 1 have
read carefully Chairman Dixon's views on
the subject, and also the communication
in this mornings News signed Meter"
regret that have not been as fortunate
in receiving as kind consideration from
the hands of the commissioner and his
clerk as Meter" who claims that when
his water bill was exorbitant they kindly
reduced it to nominal sum.
have the pleasure of paying water rents
on eighteen house now using meters. the
plumbing Of which is in perfect order,
with no waste of water on any of the prem
ises
-Four of these houses, which rent for SOS
to $S5 per month, were taxed by water
meter for the month of February. $1s.S5. a
little less than IS per month a house and
a single house for same month, 81. 80. while
the largest house l rent with double the
water fixtures of any of the above. escan-
ed with the minimum amount Of 50 cents.
waited patiently thinking the meters
might change their tactics and reduce the
water rents, but bills continue to come i'm
man Dixon, who very kindly agreed 10
nave bills reduced as he was satisfied the
amount was not consumed, but I was not
as lucky in this instance as "Meter."
On April l6 l received a communication
from Superintendent Lotion as follows:
Herewith please find water bills hand
ca 70 MI. Dixon. AS per instructions of
the chairman 1 had thorough investiga-
ton OF the meters made and find them
working nicely; in fact, they are in per-
feet condition. The bills rendered are cor
rect and l am instructed to saw the COM
missioners are not authorized to make any
deduction If you will kindly call on the
CITY treasurer at noon tomorrow you will
be allowed the usual discount"
1t seems from this that Meter" nav
ing rent for one house, was favored with
more consideration at the hands of the
commissioners than a heavy taxpayer
VINO has been contributing to the citv's
revenue for eighteen years and In all
probability has borne more of the burden
toward establishing and maintaining the
water works of the city than Meter
ana the entire commissioners, who hatlv
say you cannot enjoy the luxury Won
helped supply unless you tin the meters -
NOW, claim that taxation should be
equal with all citizens, and 1t is an ont
rage TO force me TO pay IS Der month
water rent for one house on Habersham
street, ana furnish the same water to an
Individual on Gwinnett street at 81 per
month, simply because I am unfortunate
enough to have a meter and further 10
allow me the use of water at a dwelling
renting for $50 month for 50 cents and
compel me to pay IS per month for one at
a. rental OF $25, containing only one-half
the water fixtures, while both are unde.
meters, and then our able superintendent
OF water says the meters are WORKING
nicely, while they are robbing the city at
one house and me at the other.
am glad to see the city council has
wisely shut down on the meter Male
things equal; let one know what tax he
mas to pay; it will be great enough ar
the best. Ut
l believe Chairman Dixon is oonsciep-
tlous In what he says and thinks. btIt I,
does not relieve the sufferers One is
readily classed a kicker when he objects
70 being imposed upon, but it is SAFE 70
say that IL Meter" and MANY others
were not getting a reduction on tbe,S
water meter bills the heels OF their sir.
pers would soon be visible. Yours vor,,
truly. n TT NSoS5si, very