Evening journal., 1899-02-06
THE WAITER BILLS BACKING

as cOntrON eItldalet. IL Represents no
public sentiment It's columns are be-
ing loaded with nonsensical sugges-
tions emanating from the Water Com
missioners. They have been driven
from pillar to post by facts figures
and comprehensive argument until
they have no place to stand, and now
they are clinging, like shipwrecked
sailors. to Patrick Neary's water meter
bill. Imagine the desperation to which
William T. Porter, Washington Hast
ings and Alfred Belts must be reduced
when they are compelled 10 look to
Patrick Neary for salvation. HOW hui
initiating II must be, and yet how nee
essary, to seek slccor from man
whom they have been systematically
feecing OF hundreds Of dollars In water
taxes. Patrick Neary Is a large prop
erty owner. He is the possessor of
many small houses. His water taxes
amount to 1915, or somewhere there
aIbouts, each year. For many years
he has recognized the injustice Of the
schedule OF water rates IN the city of
Wilmington. He has been fully cog
infant OF the abuses 20 which the
water meter system has been put He
has known that it was relieving the
burdens Of the large consumers and
maintaining them upon the small con-
sumers. Despairing OF obtaining any
general reduction he adopted the next
best course, and took to Dover a bill
providing a water meter system for all
persons who now pay $40 or more for
the water which they consume. That
IS the bill towhich this trinity OF extor-
tionists lcok for salvation, but they do
not know how unstable their depend
ence is. Patrick Neary Is In favor Of
the passage OF the Pyle water tax bill.
He is fully acquainted with rs proyi-
sions. Il was at his suggestion that
the reduction OF 40 per cent was
STAYED of until January l, 1900 He de-
sired to give both the Board Of water
Commissioners and City Council a year
In which TO adjust themselves 10 the
new conditions. His suggestions were
accepted. and they are represented in
the Pyle water BILL Now, what have
the Water Commissioners 70 say2 II
Patrick Neary backing the water
meter bill is such a recommendation
for its passage, why is sueh recon-
mendation not Just as good when II il
found in support or the Pyle water
biz? Can they blow hot and cold on
Patrick Neary? Do they think that he
is so vain or so foolish as to be caughl
by their chaif? All he has to do is tC
go to his receipt file, pick out thos,
from the Water Department and every.
one Will be a silent advocate OF tn,
passage Of the Pyle water bill. II,
has been paying every year for thl
water for his houses about sl57 8,
more than there was any necessity for
We wonder how the Water Commits
sioners can invoke the patronage of
man who has been robbed OF all fhes
hundreds Of dollars. The Water Com
missioners know that something is 20
ing to be DONE They are seeking tn
easiest possible terms rhey want M
legislation, but il they must talk
something, they naturally accept tina
which is most favorable to them. The
care nothing for the water consumer
With them 1t is all self. II they favo
the Neary meter bill Il Is because IL
terms carry with 1t advantages fo
them, which the Pyle bin does no
This is not recommendation for tn
Neary meter bill, but a strong one f.
the Pyle water bill. Patrick Neary
not especially welded to his mete
bill 1t merely represents an effort
give to small consumers cheap,
water. II he can attain that end b
any other means he Is willing 10 d
1t. He is a practical man. and to hi'
the matter is more important than II
manner. SO long as he and the 9th,
consumers get cheaper water, they 1
net care how it comes. so long
enough revenue is left to the depar
ment to run 1t properly. Patri,
Neary cannot be won over to the 81,
Of the Water Commissioners by al
such tactics as those which have be,
adopted by the Water Commissione
N this eleventh hour OF their distree
If water meters are 50 good for sms
homes, why is it that the Water Cor
missionens have not placed them
long ago, as they had full power
do? We will tel them. BE cause. tn
would not make a concession Of a.
kind to the water consumers un
they had to. That is the kind Of
endorsement which they have given
Patrick Neary's bill. and we'll
knows it. II they believe that Patri
Neary's proposition OF water met'
for small houses is so good. why
they want his bill passed when
49, 1...o ~ ID f- - ~ tho 49,.