The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1898-08-03
s.raining at a Gnat.

EDITOR HERALD;-
IT appears to me that our town council
is straining at a gnat after having
received a postal card, signed by
X. f. Meyers, secretary of town coun-
ell, notifying me that 1 must OBJ
serve greater economy In the future in
the use of water for street sprinkling-
for which | pay at card rates-and in
sinuating that | have overstepped the
privileges for which pay. Town busi-
ness property fronting some 20 feet on
one Of our principal streets, which is as
sessed at say $500. On this / am CON-
PEELED to pay water tax of some $40 or
Sl2- My next d Sor neighbor owns a prop
erty Of about similar value on which be
pays a water tax, but be Is not apairon
of the water works, and | am forbidden
to lay tie dust in front OF his place Of
business. thus adding to the discomfort
of my neighbor and pedestrians. This IS
all right in strictly business sense. II
my neighbor wants TO keep the dust out
OF his eyes he must pay for it.
But there is another SIDE 70 this ques
ton. The people of the borough of Som
erset are the owners of the water plant.
It was constructed entirely for their use
and convenience, and it was never in
tended that persons living outside of tie
borough. those who do not pay a penny
of municipal tax, should enjoy the con-
veniences furnished by the water. This
view is not only correct from business
point OF view, but is the only way in
which parties living close to the borough
lines can be induced TO ask TO be annex
ed, or taken into the borough. If they
can enjoy the luxury of electric light,
water and street improvements without
having to pay aproporion Of the expense
in the way Of direct taxation they will
never, and indeed would be great fools if
they should, ask to be taken into the
borough. Let me cite AN instance of how
this abuse of the water privilege is work
ing injustice TO property owners and tax
payers generally. We have two or three
owners are compelled to pay a heavy
water tax on the assessed valuation of
their property and card rates for water
service, if they avail themselves of it. In
the township several private properties
and at least one hotel are supplied with
water, presume at card rates, bat they
are not called upon to pay water tax on
their assessed valuation. The difference is
just here; the resident OF the town is COM
PEELED to pay from s. TO s35 water tax Ia
addition TO card rates for the use OF water,
the hotel proprietors are compelled 70
pay from s25 TO $50 water tax in addition
to card rites for water service, while the
nonresident escapes altogether the pay
ment of wate- tax.
Now, conteiId that the people of the
town, for whose benefit and convenience
the water works were constructed and
who are compelled TO pay for them by
direct taxation, are entitled to more con-
sideration than those persons whose
property is outside Of the borough lines,
aud that they should not be called down.
especially during dog days" for laying
the dust on our streets.
Au tut1 CouurCtton u - dOt hIuls5 "
emphasize the statement published in
one or more Of the local papers in regard
10 the additional expense incurred by the
borough in order TO pump sufficient
water TO meet the demands ON the reser-
voir. have heard it insimated that the
revenue secured for water from parties
living outside the borough will not pay
for the additional labor. wear and tear OF
machinery. fuel, etc.
In conclusion let me suggest to the
Burgess aud the members OF council, or
at least those who have voted the priv
ileges OF the taxpayers away, that ifthey
wish 10 be consistent and above suspic-
ion they viii recall the postal card di-
rections complained ofand givethe bene-
6t Of the water to those who directly
pay for 1t. whether they are patrons Of
the plant or not.
TAX PAYER