The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1898-06-02

evidence shows conclusively that the Wa
terworks company has made a practice
of fixing a minimum rate for measured
water, and when the amount exceeds the
minimum rate, of charging for the excess
but when the amount used was less than
the minimum rate, the charge was made
at the minimum rate, regardless of the
amount shown by the meter. This is
shown to have been done in the instances
cited; and while 1t is contended by the
Waterworks company this was aequiesced
in by the consumers without complaint,
the committee is of the opinion that in all
such cases where there was not an express
agreement with the consumers, the Water
works company has violated its contract.
With reference to complaints as to rates
for water furnished for elevator purposes,
we find that the company has never
charged in excess of the contract, and
usually at lower rate than specified
therein.
While the committee recognizes that in
the case of mixed buildings. used partly
Tor business and partly for offices and
domestic purposes, 1t is a difficult matter
to provide for all the occupants according
to the contract as construed by the SUI
preme court in the Smith case, yet it
seems that it is the duty of the company
to provide meters for the business part
of such buildings, If required, and charge
for the remainder of the building in accord
ance with the contract rate for dwellings.
This question raised in the Smith case APP
pears to have been settled by compromise
to the satisfaction of the parties interested,
and the committee did not inquire into
the details of the arrangement in that case,
but the public generally, under similar
circumstances, should be entitled to SINH
lar concessions without the necessity of
litigation, where justice demands it.
In considering and reporting on the quail
ty of the water furnished by the Water
works company, the committee feels that 1t
Is confronted by a very grave respon-
sibility.
1t is evident, not only from the testimony
of the witnesses, but the committee knows
as matter of common knowledge, that
the water is at times more or less cloudy.
This can not be entirely prevented, but
we are of the opinion that by carefully
controlling the inflow of the water into
the reservoir at times when the streams
are swollen with rains and carrying large
amounts of sediment, the difficulty can be
to a considerable extent overcome.
AS to the purity and wholesomeness of
the water, a number of citizens not ex-
perts, who testified before the committee,
differed In opinion as to the quality of the
water.
The committee can only submit the
analyses made by Prof Phillips of water
taken from different places in the water
works system, and the opinions of the
highest authorities thereon.
know swwi cmfwyp cmfwy pcmwf ymmm
We make such analysis part of this re-
port, and give the opinion of Wankin, the
leading authority on water, as bearing on
this analysis.
We also attach as part of this report
letter on this subject from II. C. Rizer, of
| the United States geological survey, to
| whom was submitted the analysis of the
water made by Or. Phillips
Under the further instructions of the
hoard TO this ponnmiftpa- have taken
the question of rates to consumers and are
unanimously of the opinion, from the test-
mony of the witnesses examined, a compar-
ison of the Birmingham rates with those of
other cities of like size and Importance,
and also from statements made by the
Water Works company in its answer to the
charges contained in the minority report,
that very substantial reduction should I
be made in the schedules of rates, both for
domestic and business purposes, and that
in order to obtain such reduction for con-
sumers generally the company should be
protected by stringent laws to prevent
waste of water, which the evidence shows
to be enormous, and that minimum
charge should be made to all consumers of
measured water. The Water Works COM
pany have stated to the committee that it
is willing to make substantial reductions
along these lines provided the city will
pass and enforce laws to prevent the ex-
cessive waste of water; and submitted for
the consideration of the committee two
schedules of proposed rates, neither of
which the committee considers satisfactory.
The last and best proposal made by the
company is as follows:
The water rates for private dwellings
shall not exceed the quarterly rates named
below Except when the consumption of
water exceeds the maximum allowance for
| said rates., payable quarterly in advance,
| viz:
| Dwellings, 8 rooms or less ..............T 80
| Each additional room, up to and in
cluding ten s........-... 20
Each additional room, up to and over
| ten 49,. ....... 80. ........... 49,. 1875
Additional for one waetr closet, for
dwellings, of 8 rooms or less 49,. $50. rs
Additional for one water closet, 4 rooms
or less $500. 80. 49,. ...... So. -. l 90
Additional for one water closet, s rooms
Additional for one bath tub :. -. -. 90
Water closets and bath tubs in excess of
one, on the premises for same family, shall
be at one-half the above rates.
| Where more than one family use the same
| hydrant or other fixture, each family is to
J be charged full rate.
| No service shall be at a less rate than
| $1.50 per quarter as a minimum.
| The maximum quantity of water to be
| furnished to a consumer paying the above
rates shall not exceed the following num-
Der of gallons per quarter: