Evening journal., 1899-03-07

add it to the s32. 900 emergerlcy fund,
and it gives a practically assumed
emergency fund OF $4,000 in 1900, or
within $4,000 Of the total running ex-
pense OF the department. But that is
not an. Cheaper water rates win
bring increased consumption, and in
creased consumption viii bring in
creased revenue Am examination of
The working schedules Of the engines
and pumps belonging to the Water
department, or rather to the water
consumers, shows that the power is
not by any manner cf means fully utii-
lied. In fact, there is so much Of It
left that e. n. Warner suggests the
installation Of an eloctric light plant
at the water works to use This power
He knI-ws that no sudh step Is seri-
cus.y considered, but we use his declar-
alton merery TO demonstrate to the
members of the General Assembly and
to the water consumers that the de-
partment Is in adequate condition to
meet this increased demand for water
and that such increased demand will
be practically am profit barring wear
and tear on machinery and the differ
euce in the coal bills, which will be in
considerable. We venture the predic-
tion that at the end cf the fiscal yeai
1900 the surplus will be not ness than
$4,000 with the 40 per cent, cut In
fun force and effect. This knowledge
impdlled us to suggest that the cut be
made SO per cent.
Now let us carry thts thing few
steps farther. Taking the figures OF
the Board Of Water Commissioners for
lS97-the printed report fer 1898 not
being in public hands at present, al
though more than two months have
elapead since lt was made-we find
lthat the free water for fire protection,
public schools, city buildings. foun-
talns, sprinhfng streets and State
Armory amounted TO nearly $4,000.
THAT free water lis enjoyed equally by
CONSUMERS and non-consumers, and
should be paid f.r out Of the general
levy instead OF out Of The water fund.
Nobody but a fool would make any
Other contention. Then we have Cool
Spring Park, bounded by Tenth and
Eleventh, and Jackson and Van Buren
streets. Here Is ono OF the MOST
beamiTul spots in the city. We have
Board Of Park Commissioners, In
whose hands an the other parks are
placed and whgch derive their mainte-
lnance from the general fund. But that
Board cf Paik Commissioners has alb
lsoiute,y nothing TO do with the Coo
lSprng Park, and not a dollar Of lis
maintenance comes from the genera
fund That park is under the con'tro
cf the Board of water Commission
ems, and every dollar spent for Its
maintenance is taken from the pockets
of the water consumers, although its
benefits are enjoyed in all their com
pleteness by consumer non-consumel
= and the stranger who is Within oui
gates. We viii not say that the liant
was bought with water consumers
money, because we have not at han'
facilities fer such ascertainment, but
judging by The system Of extortiol
and maldlversion pursued by the Boar
OF Water Commissioners we incline 4
the be1ef that it was. But let tina
{ go, and come back b. the matter Of Ii
D maintenance. In 1897 the cost wa
nearly $1,000, Add that to the $500
e Cf free water for general benefit, AM
;, it gives us S3S.OO0 In gratuties. Ever
dollar Of that ehould be paid out o
$ the general fund. which is collected 9,
p equal proportions from consumer an
, non-consumer. Does any sane ma
deny THESE propositions? Can the
r be shattered by any method Of reason
e ling? Assuredly not They are base
: on the rock-bottom Of commonsens
IttAA NluAtAr anu hNAAAhh ANh HAlahS q
n shatter them. Talk about an increase
, tax ratel Every water consumer shout
s court it, If coupled with it is a remed
D. fer theseWaterDepartment abuses. dieI
" we have S3S,OO0 worth Of free wat,
a and park maintenance. $1,000 MOI
l. than .half CT the actual running el
lie pense OF the water Department, an
d, every dollar of whlch should come ca
Is Of the genral fund, and besides TIM
Ne an actua. surplus Of SOS 5000 in u
8 course Of a year. Let the general fur
sr pay that SSS.0OO, as it should do, an
n the water rates could be cut 65 d
n cen6 and stlM leave a surplus fn a
al HANDS cf the Board Of Water Commi
m e.oners Then let the tax rate
We raised under the general levy. and Y
be shaE have these tax dodgers and "
r cant lot owners paying their fair sha
ss OF the money for general purposes, al
fe the water consumers paying all tn
n. ought to pay f5r water. We have
'e- winter tax here. Only those who ha
ne spigcis and actually take water ID
s. a dollar to the Water Department.