The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1899-03-16
rbs water Eli,

Kindly give place in your columns
to the following expression Of my
views on the water bill, which has
just passed and will. become law
with the Governor signature. l
am aware that my view Of this ques-
ton differs radically from the RE-
PUBLICAN, Morning News and Every
Evening, but all the same, l believe
it TO be the sentiment of at least
two-thirds Of our property owners,
if they will but study out the work.
ings of the Pyle bill, Under the
present system all property of low
value is made to pay part of the
taxes of those more valuable, which
you will admit is not just. Allow
me to prove my assertion by figures.
Suppose l own house worth $500
to $1,000, which is assessed at$l3OO;
my tax is $50 and water rent $13,
making total of S33 Under the
new bill my water rent will be but
$3.50 and taxes increased to $2l.95,
making IA clear saving to me annu-
ally of 1925.
Or suppose again have house
assessed at $500; taxes will be
about $35, water rent say $l4, total
$40. With the new bill my water
rent will be reduced S.. 60 and nv
city taxes increased S3.75, making
saving to me of $1.S5
Suppose again | have a house as
sessed at $4,000. My city taxes will
be increased Sc by the new bill and
if my water rent is now SIS, that
will be reduced So, so will neither
make nor lose by the Pyle bill
Thus we see that holders of the
cheaper properties will all be bene-
fitted in proportion to their value up
to about an assessed city valuation
OF $4,000 and all above that will pay
more than under the present ar
rangement of our water rents, or,
in other words, the cheaper proper
ties are carrying tax burden out
of all proportion to the more valua-
BILE, and cannot see any Justice in
taxing the poor man to relieve the
rich. There would be no Injustice
to any one under our present system
providing the water rates were laid
so as to cover all yearly expenses
for running the Water Department
and making necessary improvements
but when the rate is so high that a
surplus is piled up of about $40, 700
yearly to be turned into the general
fund. any one who will, can readily
see that the Weather class receives
the benefit at the expense of the
poorer classes. l have reference
only to improved property. When
we take into consideration vacant
lots. the injustice of the present
system becomes still more appar-
ent. Such properties do not pay a
cent OF water tax, but at the same
time, receive the benefit of the sur
plus that water users pay into the
department annually. A man who
OWNS a lot assessed at $1,000 takes
Sl'oo every year from the pockets
OF those who use water. Our taxes
now fall heavily enough on holders
OF small properties. Justice to all
demands the cutting down of water
rents. No one wants the Water De-
partment abolished or would Grip
pie its workings in the least and
under the new law it would still have
an annual surplus of nearly $40, 900
a sum, amply sufficient, it would
seem, for all improvements, extern
slons or contingencies that may
arise In the future. | have read
many of the letters that have been
sent to the Legislature, also the
editorials OF the three papers above
referred to, in opposing the Pyle
bill, but not one OF them undertakes
to give any facts or figures compar-
ing the two systems, all have been
harping on one string, let the Wa
ter Department alone, they have
brought it up to its present efficiency
and the people ought to be satisfied
If they get good water at a rate as
low as most cities. They all fail
to note that by charging a rate al
most double of actual cost, they are
placing a burden on the poor 70
benefit the more wealthy, and for
one out OF thousands, | am glad the
bill has passed the Legislature and
Will, believe, receive the signature
of our Governor. Justice and equal
rights demand it. f. p. p,