Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1899-11-22
And That Was Withdrawn and the Condemnation Of the
Water Meter Project by One Hundred and Fifty Sub
stania Citizens Made Unanimous Ringing Speeches
by President Townsend and Others W. T. Brooke
Answered VIII Memoriaize the City Councils and Ap
peal Direct to the People The City Aroused.

present supply. would it is conserva-
tivciy estimated, furnish a supply for
a population of 100000 people, reckoning
the consumption per capita at 100000
per diem
NO SHORTAGE OF WATER
"The supposltion is that Norfolk now
has population OF about GO 1000, leaving
us room to expand $4,000 more before
we should meet with Il shortage of
water. Then why measure it out by
meter ut this time. Some of you might
say give us something stronger than
water Gentlemen, am not q Prohibit
ZIONIST. but l do say give us water and
plenty of 1t, not only in our homes.
but have an abundant supply in case
OF fire to protect those homes, and if
n new main is necessary to accomplish
this. give us the new main with more
wafer and less danger from fire"
A METER RESOLUTION.
Mr.. Il. ]. Randolph was recognized
by the chair, and said that in order to
start the ball rolling"-that is, to bring
the question of meters before the meet
ing-he would offer resolution stating
that 1t was the sense OF the meeting
that system of water meters be nut
In in Norfolk.
MIR. c. White Sans moved that the
resolution of Mr.. Randolph be amended
by inserting the word "not"-reversing
the meaning and effect OF the resolu-
ton.
WANTS BETTER REGULATIONS. ]
Colonel d. ]. Turner secured the floor
and moved that n committee OF ten be
appointed and instructed to draw up
n ;.,l
position to meters, and also to memo
r1alize the Legislature to enact some
law governing the regulations as to
pipes, etc. In n speech favoring his
motion Colonel Turner spoke of the in
convenience and loss caused property
owners by having to make connections
with the sewers and water mains under
the present regulations. He also spoke
of the stealing of the connecting pipe
and appliances by thieves. which has
grown TO be prevalent complain. He
thought better police protection should
be afforded.
MIR. BROOKE'S ARGUMENT
FAULTY.
General V. D. Groner was the next
SDrIkuT ffr tifct too
sitions were eating before the meeting
at once. Speaking on the question of
meters, he said he was totally opposed
to their introduction. He thought the
argument of City Engineer Brooke.
which was read to the meeting by Mr..
Townsend. was faulty in several re-
spects. II there were q million gallons
of water lost to the city the cost of this
ought not to he aggregated on the in
tercst on the water bonds. The inter-
est on these bonds should not be in
cluded. That would have to be paid,
anyway. Then lac thought the cost of
meters had been underestimate. Nor
folk is growing rapidly, and within n
short while he was sure the cost would
be double what it was estimated at. 1t
would cost n great deal more than Mr..
Brookc's estimate to put in meters now.
'.You can see by the representative
people. who have left their business at
this hour TO attend this meeting that
the people are greatly Interested in this
question"
y VOTE TAKEN.
Mr.. C. w. Sans moved that the
meeting declare as follows: "That it is
the sense of this meeting that it Is not
expedient for the city of Norfolk to
adopt system OF water meters"
vote was taken upon this proposi>
ton and there was only one mo" Mr..
Randolph. who cast this dissenting
vote, subsequently withdrew it.
A RINGING SPEECH.
Mr.. ]. Sydney Smith arose at this
juncturc and made u ringing speech In
opposition to meters. He said those in
attendance seemed to be of one mind.
He referred 10 the fact that one law.
yer voted against the resolution, but
lawyers would disagree when they got
together in a meeting. AS to the motion
of Colonel Turner ne thought therl
was too much put into It, He then
touched upon the merits of the meter
question. He said that an examination
of the question would show that 1t
was an unnecessary tax upon property.
1t would be an extra and oppressive
burden. He said he had been told that
meters would in the end cost about $50
each. If it would be necessary, as he
thought 1t would. to change the water
closets OF a certain class, it would mean
practically the condemnation OF one
half the water closets in Norfolk Tho
costly kind OF closet would have to be
put Inland the colored population would
not give proper attention to these
closets. Those WHO now have the
cheap kind would have to nut In the