New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-05-21
THE GARDEN HOSE.

Now that Commissioner Monroe is ready to
acknowledge the Injustice of the present garden
hose rerulations as they are enforced, 1t Is TO
he hoped that the department will in good time
return to the comfortable arrangement when
made possible flowers and grass in the interior
of CITY blocks without unreasonable expense
For years househoders paid lump sum each
wear for a hose attachment and were allowed
TO sprinkle their grass plots for certain specl-
fed time each day subject to absolute prohibl-
ton in time Of shortage. Last year Commls-
sioner Dougherty's desire for reform led TO
sudden change Of system which has been the
cause of much embarrassment and Of the pres
ent complaints.
When the water rates for 1902'O3 were paid
citizens who had put in plumbing according 10
the old regulations were told that they must not
use it. If they wanted to use hose even once
week for ten minutes they must put III
meter. That meant a considerable initial out
Law for the meter and higher price for all the
water used in the house, according TO the best
comparison between the frontage rates ana the
meter rates. Unless the householder was espe-
ciallv particular about his yard he refused to
succumb to this pressure to buy meter ana
increase his water tax II he was scrupulOus
about obeying the law he let his grass plot dry
I'D and his hose lie unused. If he treated ordl-
nances as the average New-YOrker treats them
he went on watering his garden just the same
confident that the department would never
know the difference. 1t now appears that MS
confidence was not misplaced. Commissioner
Monroe admits that he has no sufficient force
of inspectors to see that the new rules are
obeyed. Consequently those who put in meters
find themselves mulcted for privilege which
others get for nothing
Some householders last year who had always
been accustomed to Fay 81 80 for a hose attach
ment found this item stricken from their bills.
They might object to the new system as yeXa-
tious and expensive, but they could not com
plafn that they were paying for water which
they were not allowed 20 use. Others, how
ever. in the same borough found the hose items
in their bills, and paid for what they were
forbidden to use. No wonder there is opposi-
ton and confusion and the easiest way out is
TO rive householders their old rights to use hose
under careful restrictions. 1t may be said that
this system is subject to abuse. Let people use
a hose at all and they will use it recklessiy-
But they do that now. The prohibition is a
confessed failure and robs the city Of the rev.
enue formerly collected for practically every
house The honest and law-abiding citizen IS
now penalized and little is accomplished IN the
way of saving water The great waste Oh
water does not come from the garden nose
Those who would carelessly leave hose run
ming for hours if they were allowed TO use IL
for minutes would as carelessly leave faucet
running all day in a laundry or bathtub and be
much less open to detection.
1t is for the city's interest to encourage the
keeping OF yards in good shape. Public spirited
movements are foot for 'blocks beautiful"
The rich peoI'e. who think nothing of buying
meters, go away for the summer. The other
pee. le for whom green grass plots vine
covered fences are desirable, find the present
regulation obstacle TO such Improvements.
No doubt Mr. DOugherty adopted this plan with
the best of intentions but il is not probable
that the gain has compensated for the trouble