Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-08-10
GEORGETOWN kffAIRs
INVESTIGATION INTO MUNICIPAL
BUSINESS APPROVED.
Mr.. George w. King Thinks There
Should Be Revision Of
Water Rates. -

java ASs~SSSs
The ideas of the board of commissioners
as to general investigation into municipal
affairs to insure a more perfect and bust
ness-like operation of the various depart
ments of the local government in the fu-
ture are receiving the unqualified approval
Of the people of the westerly section of the
District. Suggestions can be heard on every
hand that the inquiry be thorough and COM
plete.
In referring to the plans of the Commits
sioners, Mr.. George w. King. one of the
leading citizens of Georgetown. expressed
himself as being in favor of such action.
Mr.. King is a large property holder and has
made study of the various taxes levied
by the municipal authorities He declared
that Of late he had gathered data bearing
on the mana cement and operation of the
water departments Of other cities, and that
after making thorough comparison is of
the opinion that the Commissioners should
especially direct their attention to that par
ticular branch of the local government.
THE conditions under which water is
furnished to the consumers in the District
and those under which 1t Is supplied to
residents of other cities" continued Mr..
King. ARE so different that no comparison
can be made regarding the annual water
rents. The United States government con-
structed the original reservoirs, dam and
conduits, without cost to the citizens of the
District. During the enactment Of said
law the general expression in Congress was
that the citizens were to have the surplus
water over and above that which was nee
essary for the use Of the public buildings
and grounds, at greater cost than
necessary to pay for the pipes conveying it
to their residences and keeping the same in
order.
Quotation From Revised Statutes.
"As an example. section 1893 of the Re-
vised Statutes of the United States relat-
ing to the District of Columbia, states, Wa
ter rates levied in Washington and George
town shall never be a source of revenue
other than as means of keeping up to the
said cities a supply of water, but shall con-
stitute fund exclusively for maintenance
ana management and repair Of the system
of water distribution.
During the construction OF the water
works l, with many others who are now liv-
ing. heard Gen. Meigs, the designer and en-
g1neer In charge, say that 1t was intended
that the construction Of these works should
be of such character as to almost entirely
90 away with future expense, and the wa
ter should be In the near future, after the
completion Of the works. given to the con-
sumers thereof free in the case of George
town and at very little expense to the con-
sumers in Washington.
This discrimination between Washington
and Georgetown. arose from the fact that
the citizens of Georgetown 0hen a distinct
corporation) accepted the prov.so, which is
shown in section 200, which reads as fol-
lows: Water tax not exceeding 60 cents
per front foot may be levied and collected
on all lots and parts of lots within the
limits of the city of Georgetown In front
or parallel to which water mains may be
laid
Section 213 The taxes mentioned in the
four preceding sections shall never be a
source Of revenue other than as means Of
ter
''One OF the four sections, No 212 being
partly quoted: And shall cease whenever
the cost Of the distribution of water is fully
paid
This relation of the water taker, in ref
erence to the cost of the original construc-
ton is carefully kept out of sight by those
connected with the Office of the water de-
partment and Is probably. not known to
those who assert that the water rates in
Washington are lower than In other cities
In many cases this is not a fact. In other
cities the entire cost of construction was
paid by the taxpayers. 20
Auditors Report.
1.-The auditor for the District reports, for
the year ending June 30. 1902, under the
head of water fund.- as follows:
Balance to the credit of the water
funds of the District of Column
bia in the United States Treas
ury July l, 1901 S376 142 80
Amount of collections deposited
in the United States Treasury
during fiscal year of 1902 $50. 1916 4O2 90
'Repayments NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.. 81, $50 81
Total amount available for
eXpenditureS(water fund.-. .SSO6 065 &c
This is contrary to sections 1913. 212 and
213 of the Revised Statutes. before cited.
haf tS Of toto
simplification in the manner Of making out
water bills and the payment of the same,
is self-evident. The statuatory require
ments should be complied with. the rights
of the taxpayer protected, and the inten-
tons of Songress carried out. The con-
structon of the law is clear The govern
ing desire in the water Office appears to be
simply the collection of large revenue"
General News.
A pair of horses, attached to heavy
wagon, took fright and ran away down
Wisconsin avenue, extended about noon
yesterday, causing pedestrians to flee to
places Of safety and compelling drivers to
give them the right of way. The frenzied
animals pursued zig-zag course. and just
after passing the fountain, erected by Mr..
John r. Mclean, collided with a fire plug
and were quickly brought to halt. The
runaway team is owned by Joseph l..
Crapper of this city.
The funeral of Mr.. Thomas NJ Crown,
who died suddenly early Wednesday morn
ing, took place at o'clock Friday after
noon from his late residence 3237 Prospect
avenue. The ceremonies were conducted
under the direction of American Guard
Council, No. l, of which the deceased was
a member.
Mrs. Catherine Sullivan of 1915 O street.
has reported to the police that her home
was entered yesterday afternoon by parties
unknown to her and that pocketbook con-
tanning between 81 and IS is missing.