New-York tribune., 1901-03-31
NEWS OF BROOKLYN.
TROUBLEOVER WATER TAX
soTsEHoLDERs FOR THE FIRST TIME
LEARN WHAT A HOSE BIBB" is.

HoUsEHoLDERS FOR THE FIRST TINE
LEARN WHAT A HOSE BIBB" is.
The average citizen gives little thought 70
she water supply, and IL he is not property
owner he accepts his daily portion OF croton
or Riagewood. looking upon it as one OF the
free commodities which he does not have 10
nav for in so much cash each day. The people
of Brooklyn the last winter have had their
troubles. and those living in top floors in the
bjlly sections Of the borough have for weeks at
a time been practically without any water sup
ply.
Now, the property owners in some portions OF
Brooklyn are up in arms against a new rule
which is being enforced. The water taxes are
due in october and most Of the owners OF prop
erty in Brooklyn have hidden away somewhere
in their homes the proper legal receipts for the
paynent of the regulation taxes. Recently, an
other bill in red ink sent out from the De-
partment Of Water Supply for an extra assess
ment Of So and the property owner was in
formed that this 81 was for hose bibb' A
dilIgent investigation yesta arday showed what
hose bibb'
Those who made inquiries at the Department
OF Water Supply were told that about their
houses inspectors from the department had dis
covered faucets with metal threads to which
be used for watering the streets, the front and
rear wards and the washing of front stoops.
In many cases the owners Of the property
were not aware that any such "bibbs" were IN
their homes One young man who has Wltmh
the last year or two acquired little property
called at the department yesterday, wishing 10
keep within the law and out Of possible ntlsa-
tion He explained TO the man la charge OF the
ward in which he lived that he would like en-
lightenment upon the new order before he paid
his S. The young nan denied that there were
any hose bibbs" his premises to his knoWl-
edge. and said that il any were there he dld NOT
know of it, He did know. however. that there
was no hose in his house, and none had ever
been used there.
Now if YOU viii take my advice" said the
Official leaning forward and speaking in a CON
cliatory tone, you will go to the cashier ana
nav the So That is the best way out of it, Tor
II really does not matter whether your street IS
sn,inlxIed under contract or not. Now, when
YOU go home look around your premises ana
find some faucet 10 which there is a brass
thread This brass thread is what you are pay
ing the So for. Then get a file and file on the
threads Inform this department that you nave
no 'bibbs' on your premises, an inspector VIII De
sent around and you won't have TO pay the -
next year" Much enlightened the young man
was about to walk out when well dressed man
who had been standing near remarked; 80
YOU are having your troubles, too. but they are
hardly as bad as mine. j am a lawyer ana nave
been retained by some property owners 10 look
after a case which is distinctiTely peculiar.
My clients" continued the lawyer, nave peeI
paying water rates vacant property for me
last two years They came down here, HANDED
in their money and received the regulation re-
ceipts OF course, there is no law compeIllns
pe0ple to pay water taxes on vacant lois, oul
many property owners have been doing IL gust
The same OF course, l will get the money back
for my clients but as far as ] see IL may
talxe two or three years to do it," And the
Young man walked out wondering what TAM
many had up its sleeve for the next trick