Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-03-14

A Proposition to Measure the Supply
of individuals.

Philadelphia, normally in ferment over
the water supply question. Is Just now es-
peciaIly agitated by an official proposition
TO place meters in the houses and other
places Of water consumption, as a means
OF preventing waste and insuring a closer
adjustment of tax to use The plan has
aroused serious opposition. not alone on
account of the expense. estimated at from
100000 to S3.JO0OoO. but also because of
the insanitary effect of restricting the
water use The Public Ledger, comment
ing on the situation, says:
NO sound arguments have yet been adj
Tanced for the passage of an ordinance
to force the use of water meters on the
people, but many cogent reasons have been
given against enacting any such measure
The statement that there are manufac-
turers who use between $1,000 and So, 600
worth of water annually and pay only
from 500 to $500. is not likely to be re-
garded as serious nor looked upon with
widespread indignation The manufacturers
are some of the chief veins through which
the hfe-blood OF the city's prosperity flows
and no one grudgeS them the surplus water
they use, provided there is enough left
for domestic and other purposes. Those
who advocate the Introduction of water
meters into dwelling houses are prone to
declare that by the use of this device the
water bills of householders will be low
cred, but this is not likely to be accepted
without question. Apart from the well
grounded belief that the city authorities
would not advocate any measure which
would reduce the revenue now derived from
water. there Is good reason to believe that
with water meters introduced the bills
would be trebled and quadrupled, even
though the strictest economy should he
practiced-
AS matter of fact. the question of
revenue to municipality Is of secondary
Importance to that of an abundant water
supply. The element should be as nearly
Tree TO all the people DOSSib1a 10
necessary to life. health and the growth OF
the community. The duty OF the city au-
thorities Is to encourage free use of wa
ter. not to do that which would have q
tendency TO cause people to use as little
as possible There had better be some
waste than a too vigorous economy II
water meters are forced on householders.
there is scarcely a doubt that very many
OF the people win economfze even to the
extent of not using sufficient to preserve
health and sanitation The bath Will be
less used. floors less often scrubbed and
clothing less frequently washed in the eff
Tort TO save money. The introduction of
water meters will bear most heavily on
the small householder and on the working
man who rents his house II the device is
introduced, he cannot hope to have his rent
reduced, but he win have to pay extra for
the water he uses, adding that much more
to his annual expenses.
There is still another serious objection
TO the Introduction Of water meters, name
ly. the enormous expense which VIII be
put upon the city. The meters will cost a
large sum, and after that a. small army of
Inspectors will have to be maintained Some
people may waste water and some manu-
fscturers may use more than their proper
tfon, but this Is preferable to the menace
to the public health. the injustice to- the
people and the great pecunfary cost to the
city that will follow the introduction Of the
water meter
The North American emphaticafy re-