Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1899-12-08
me- MORTAL SUBMIT TED
Property Holders Committee Pro-
test Against Water Meters.
A .'npcr tn which TIA. Views. OF inrge
Tax rayers re SInde Isnown 10
tho co"nei.s = Remedy su.-
scslcd.

The committee of ten. appointed at
the large and enthusiastic meeting OF
property owners at the Real Estate EN-
change room November 2lst to draw
mp memorial to the Councils against
water meters, presented that paper TO
the Common Council, through Clerk
Stced, Tuesday night, but on account
of the lengthy discussion over the light
1t was on the calendar
LII speaking of The memorial yester-
day. Mr. j. sydney Smith, one of the
members OF the committee. said that
the committee dealt pretty much in
Seneraities. but not because it did not
nave the facts and figures behind it.
The committee had estimates OF the
cost of meters to the city and to the
property owners before 1t, and based
their assertions upon these estimates,
which were carefully secured from the
best sources available.
The memorial will go to the special
Meter Committee, appointed at the re-
quest of the Water Board. This COM
mittee has held no meeting yet.
The memorial is as follows:
To the Honorable Common and Select
Councils of the City of Norfolk:
we, the undersigned committee APP
pointed at meeting or the property
owners of the city of Norfolk. Va. held
on the 21st day of November. 1899. to
memoralize your honorable bodice,
against the adoption of the water J, e;cr
system in said city, as will more fully
appear from certified copy of the said
proceedings herewith filed as "a part
hereof. respectfully submit the follow
ing:
list. We submit the said resolutions
MS showing the unanimous wish OF the
property owners present at the said
meeting. upon whom would fall the
burden of the said expensive innova-
ton, and which show them to be OBJ
posed to the same.
I'd. We submit that in view OF the
admitted fact that the present water
supply is sufficient for a population of
10000 people that an unreasonable re-
striction upon the use of the same
would he both unnecessary and hurtfuI
to the city from sanitary standpoint,
when cleanliness Is especially needful in
order to both prevent and stay the pro-
gross of contagious diseases which
cause great loss TO the city, pccuniarily
and otherwise.
"ad. We submit that there is no proof
that, by selling the water nv the GAL
lon, the amount consumed will
be unnecessarily consumed. though
CHARGED to the owner or tenant of the
premises. But supposing that the
amount of water consumed is greatly
essened by said system. then the rev.
enue to the city from its sale must be
likewise lessened. unless it's price be
greatly increased and the sanitary con-
ditlon of the city rendered worse by the
scant uee Of the water dolcd out by the
measure. Therefore, taking any view
of the matter, the revenue collected
from n limited and restricted use OF the
water If supplied at reasonable
charge. would not be in excess of that
now collected, while. on the other hand,
there would be added a very large debt
to put In the meters, besides q very
large fixed charge to operate the sys-
tenn. Just what this expense would be
has not with accuracy been determined
MS yet; but 1t la so large that the pro-
position should not be entertained for
moment. We submit that the debt
Of the city should not be further in
creased by the issuance of bonds ag-
gregnting 100000 or more. according to
the various estimates which have been
made. And ms to the additional cost
to the owners of the property we can
not approximate it, nor the incon-
Venicnce and annoyance which would
be occasioned by its adoption.
18th. We submit also. for your con-
siderati ton, the fact that these expen-
sive meters, Of which there would have
to be between 10000 and 10000 as soon
ms connections are completed in Bram-'
bieton and Atlantic City and the
Fourth Wards. are not permanent fix
lures, but perishable. and the ex-
pcricnce of these using them here, in
plants where they are required shows
IN some cases, at least, they are con-
demned and thrown aside In five wears
and some Of those retained as being in
good order have peculiar ways or reg
ist"rng. slowir" at times twice as
much water used NV the Same plant in
y like period without any known
chnnrc in the amount OF water con-
sumcd on the part of the owners. Such
conditions would doubtless attend their
general use. and owners of property
would hc ut Il less to know how TO nd
just rent 10 meet an ever nuctuatinS
water charge. nor would the depart
mont know how to charge and collect
In advance, as they now do. without re-