Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1899-05-28
WATER METERS
What Citizens Think of introduce
ing Them in Norfolk.
Tho Opinions OF Mon who Handle
Property-some Oppose tho Intro-
duction or Meters. while Others
Favor the Yroposition.

The question OF introducing water
meters in Norfolk has called forth
much comment pro and con. The Water
Board has discussed the question at
several sessions. and Is undoubtedly IA
vorable to the meter system. The main
by the gentlemen who compose this
board are summed up-an three, viz:
First. The prevention Of the waste OF
water.
Second. The insurance OF q Better
water pressure.
Third. The increase Of revenue to the
city from the water department.
The first two OF these reasons might
be made one, as the second is the logi-
cal outcome of the first. The third argu-
inent is urged in counter to the allega-
ton of those who oppose the meters
to-wit, that the city will be put to a
large and unnecessary expense in put
ting them in. 1t Is commended by the
Water Board that this expense will be
more than gained by the increase in
revenue from the meter system and by
the decrease of expenses in pumping
as there will be less pressure needed
when the waste of water is stopped.
In view of the interest which the
question has aroused, the Virgnian-
Pilot has secured n number of inter
views upon the subject, mostly from
real estate dealers, who own or con-
troll big property interests in residences
and real estate in the city, and who
would thus he affected by tho meter
system doubly.
The views expressed are as follows:
Mr.. II. II. Trlce, of W. II II. Trlce &
Cot am opposed to meters They are
unnecessary and would be a hardship"
Mr. II. c. IIoggard. of Hoggard G.
Cot am opposed to meters. if they
work as they have been working where
they have been tested. The water used
by the city has 4 tendency to rust and
corrode the meters and they do not reg
lister Faithfully. After the water is fill
tered it may be different. but if it is not
we do not want meters.'
Mr.. w. r. Fentress, of Fentress G.
Son-"I am against the introduction OF
meters in the city"
Mr.. Joseph r. Allyn. attorney at law
and real estate owner-'"rheoreticall
the meter system is all right: practical
~ do not know how it would work.
1t Is all right in theory to charge n
man for just what water he uses and
no more, IL 1t is practically and will
not cause too great economy in the use
Oh water. Inere 1S no doubt but that
| the water is being wasted at present
| In the tenement districts. But the Ques-
ton is, IL metered would not the re-
action toward economy be such as to
hurt the sanitary condition of these
sections by the too scant use of water?
My idea is that Il few meters should be
purchased and put in as an experiment,
not only in one class of houses, but in
all classes from the finest residences to
the shanties. 1t could soon be told by
this experiment whether the mctering
of the city would be practicable and
profitable. But let's not expcnd over
n hundred thousand dollars until we
know it is good thing
Mr.. f. i. Nottingham, of the Norfolk
| Rental Co-"There is absolutely no use
for meters. What is the use of the
! city spending a big amount of money
! when she already has plenty of water
| and n satisfactory system if rightly
| managed? The renting agents have tc
pay the water bills of tenants in most
| cases. and If these tenants are wasting
water now they will continue to waste
1T. and our burden will be increased
The city has water inspectors. If these
| inspectors do their duty they can rem
| edy the matter of wastagc. II meters
are put in it will amount to Il virtua
| confiscation of small houses. where ir.
! responsible tenants are kept"
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