Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1899-11-18
Real Estate and Stock Exchange
Takes a Determined Stand.
MASS mEETlnc CALLED
,ropcrty Owncr,oftho city Sn,nS
moned to a Conference 10 BIO Hold
Next Tuesdny To D.-cuss tho water
Bonrd's Propo,l,ion sIcrrIi,-
chapman DerrIck d wreehinsi
Co,npnny'- Experience,

That the people OF Norfolk are
aroused over the proposition Of the Wa
ter Board to introduce the meter sys-
tenn of measurement is evidenced by
the action of the Real Estate and Stock
Exchange Thursday afternoon, and tho
general discussion of the subject in no.
tel Hobbies. counting rooms, on the
streets. and, in fine, whenever or wher-
ever two or more citizens meet.
No class of men are better qualified
to Judge of what would inllict hard
ship upon the people than the real es-
tate and rental agents, and what they
think of the proposition to introduce
inferred from the following, furnished
this paper by the Exchanges:
Thursday, Nov. 16, 1899.
At q meeting of the members of the
Norfolk Real Estate and Stock Ex-
change, who represent about three
fourths of the rental property OF the
city OF Norfolk, it was unanimously re-
solved that this Exchange does most
emphatically protest against the Meter
System.
MASS MEETING OF CITIZENS.
The Real Estate and Stock Exchange,
realizing the Importance of the ques-
ton at issue. has called Il meeting of
the property owners of Norfolk to ex-
change views on the meter system.
This meeting will be held Tuesday, No
vember 21st. at o'clock p. m, In the
rooms of the Exchange, No. 236 Main
street.
All property holders are invited to at
tend
See advertisement in another column.
HOW METERS WORK.
The following communication con.
tains valuable information concerning
the working; OF one of the water meters
introduced into Norfolk:
Merritt & Chapman
Derrick and Wrecking Co.,
Norfolk. Va. Nov. II, 1899.
Editor virsinian- Pilot:
I have read with great interest the
various and varied opinions of our fell
low-citizens in the Virginian- Pilot on
the subject of having the cost of our
water supply regulated in every in
stance by meter. At present L be-
lieve only large consumers are supplied
with that luxury. Without wishing to
argue the question l will briefly narrate
the experience Of our company, in the
matter OF water, which think is per-
tinent to the question. We are blessed
with meter. Prior to January, 1899,
we had been paying quarterly from
S35 to Si5 per quarter. On that date we
were startled to learn that our meter
showed 50.357 feet used during the
quarter-371, 6SS gallons at soc. per thou
sand, making $1l3.30. In the face Of the
facts that we are not water dealers and
supply only our own boats. nearly all
of which most of that quarter were alb
sent in Cuba, we were disposed to kick
Our pipe, from near the meter to the
end of the wharf. where the boats are
supplied. is in full view, and any leak
would have been discovered at once;
and our Waterman, Jim White, keeps
sharp outlook, and his name Is
Straight" and any waste or "shenani-
gan" would hardly escape him. April
the meter called for 14,975 cubic feet
1922 gallons, at zoe. per thousand
making $3.50 (about fair average
though there were more boats supplied
than in the preceding quarter).
July list the meter called for only
1854 cubic feet-25,155 gallons, and this
when we expected this quarter to be
larger than either of its predecessors
On this 40c. per gallon was charged
making s10.06. Upon receipt of this
statement We proposed to the water de-
partment to take out the meter and put
in new one. rs this record was as ri.
diculously small rs that Of January Isl
had been prenos terously large. No ac-
ton was taken. however. and October
1st the meter showed we had used foi
the preceding quarter 1928 cubic fee
-1,44o.0 9S gallons-probably more water
than we had been using during the
previous years we have taken it at oul
Atlantic City dock and storehouse. The
magnitude OF this showing caused the
department to test our meter. and We
received the following letter from thu
registrar:
I'm the matter of your bill for water
which has been standing on account Of
apparent discrepancies indicated by
the irreSularity In quantities used in
different quarters as indicated by the
meter, you are advised that the line
man OF this department has made q
careful test of your meter and finds q
practically correct, the slight variance
being in your favor"
should note that this 1,419,09S gal.
Ions cost only 10 cents per thousand
s144.91. or less than the 100000 gallons
reported used In the first two quarters
I have mentioned-the latter costing