Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1899-11-22

"A strong protest was registered
against the water-meter project yes
tcrday afternoon by one hundred and
fifty property owners and prominent
citizens of Norfolk. The estimate given
Is that Of President Thomas Townsend,
OF the Real Estate and Stock Exchange,
and of several others present. It is a
fair one. and would miss the exact
number by small margin at the
most. All the seats in the Exchange
room on Main street were taken and
number present had to stand. 1t
was representative meeting in every
sense. and more Norfolk property was
represented than at any meeting held
there for long time.
Out OF the $50 present there was one
who partially favored meters-Mr. II.
j. Randolph, an attorney-at-law. His
was the only dissenting vote cast
when the proposition to memorabilia
Councils in opposition to meters was
voted on, and he afterwards withdrew
his vote, making 1t unanimous.
At least 100 of those present might
be classed as large property owners.
The others represented considerable
property also. That they are deeply
interested In the question was evident
from the enthusiasm displayed. APP
plause greeted every score against the
meter project.
STENOGRAPHER TAKES NOTES.
1t was evident also that there are
some parties not present who are in
.terested In the proceedings of the meet
Ing, since n stenographc report was
taken by Mr. ID. S. Phlegar who de-
clned to act as secretary when re-
quested to do so, because OF the fact
that he represented someone else"
MS he said. The fact that the party
or parties who Mr.. Phlegar was taking
the report FOR ala not come to the
meeting themselves was caustically
commented upon by one OF the speak
ers. The stenographer declined to say
70 he represented when asked by
~Aa reporters.
The meeting was called to order by
President Townsend at o'clock Mr..
Townsend was made chairman of the
chosen as secretary, after Mr.. Phlegar
declinedr -far-the reasons -slhnNe- stated
MIR. BROOKE ANSWERED.
Chairman Townsend addressed the
meeting for few minutes, and his
remarks were approved by liberal
cheering.
Mr.. Townsend said that he thought
the meeting should not adjourn with
mere action In opposition to meters.
He thought there should be free dis
cussion of the question. He took ND
tho interview with Mr.. w. T. Brooke
published in the Landmark and an
awered 1t.
In Mr.. Brooke's statement, he said
figures were given showing the running
expense OF the Water Department to be
$95.00000 per year, or $4,000 per day
Continuing TONvncand
"This is for pumping five million GAL
Ions per day, or an average of 500. 90
per million gallons. Now reduce the
supply one million gallons daily and you
save $23. 100000 per year. I am somewhat
under the impression that our friend has
not gone as fully into the expense as
he might had he more time to do So
The same force of engineers, firemen.
ETC.. would be required to pump four
millions as the five millions hence l am
afraid 1t would not reduce the cost S23,-
10000 per year, but would simply re-
duce it by possible saving of a few
tons OF coal.
year in this way by reason of reducing
the pumpage a million of gallons. Let
us see II we can't offset this.
fIfst-lt Will rquire possibly thirty
men, at salary Of $4,000 per month.
which Is $4,000 per year, as meter in
spectors, takers and repairers. Now
add to this expense interest on about
100000 for meter and connections, or
$4,000 interest per year, which, if added
to tho $4,000. makes $4,000 or a saving
OF $4,000. at a cost of s2S,000
Now. gentlemen. one word as to the
supply. I shall read now from q report
made through the press:
The water Of this creek is brackish.
caused by the inflow and high tides
from Chesapeake Bay, but from per
sonal examination and reports made by
the Engineer and others. this can be
entirely overcome by constructing q
series OF dams, description of which
can be seen by reference to the Engi-
neer's report under date OF March 9th
1895, to which you are. respectfully re-
ferred: AS to the quantity which would
be supplied from this source your hon
orable bodies are respectfully referred
to the same report. This estimate
which Is 100000 enllons per diem, to-
sether with the 100000 gallons. now the