Evening journal., 1904-06-30
NEW RATES To
CO INTO EFFECT
Mornings Mail Will Bring
Notices From Water Com
pany to Consumers
MANY EXPRESS GREAT INDIGNATION
Citizens Firm in Their Determination
to Cut Out Hydrants and splsots.
Residents Of the Town Are Between
Two Fires.
Special 70 no Evening Journal.

Wo FIRES.
Special to the Evening Journal.
New Castle, June 3o.--When the good !
people OF this city or at least that por-
tion of them who have transactions with
the water company, open their morning /
mail tomorrow they will find a circular ,
letter signed by the New Castle Water
Company announcing the fact that it IS
compelled TO advance its rates for the
year 1894.
The letter which explains itself follows.
The New Castle Water Works Company
New Castle, Del, July 1, 1904.
To Our Patrons;
In presenting you with bills for water
rent for the half year beginning this date.
we beg to state that we have been COM
PEELED to increase the charges in order
TO meet the necessary operating expenses
and to pay part Of the interest on the
bonded debt OF the company amounting to
10000.
The bondholders have been paid no IN
teress during the past year. nor will K
be possible 20 pay them the amount due
out Of the rents in arrears to July 1, 1904.
The estimate of receipts for the year be-
ginning July l. 1901. based upon the in
creased charges, IS less than the operating
expenses and interest Tor the year; so
that the bondholdors are already confront
ed with a considerable additional loss.
No thought has been given ITO the pay
menj OF dividends on the stock Of the
company. and dividends are not expected
by the stockholders az this time.
The new rates have been made as low as
III an.
are less than those charged In a number
Of cities Of the same size as New Castle
having similar water plants.
We can only rely upon the good viii and
assistance OF the patrons of the company
Ia our effort to continue the operation Of
the works. II this good viii and assistance
be refused, it Will be impossible to con-
tinue the business OF the company.
Soliciting your cooperation. we remain.
Yours respectfully,
New Castle Water Works Company.
Between Two Fires.
That the letter Will cause much dis
quietude Is self erident as. although Il Is
generally known that the rates will be adj
vanced the fact set forth Ia cold type viii.
20 many, seem more unjust and aggres-
slvo
That the city is between two fires can
not be denied. That the citizens must
stand an Increase in water rates or a
greater increase in fire insurance rates Is
certain and It remains for them 20 decide
which Is the lesser evil. Tho water COM
paHy clearly sets forth in its leuter that
more money Is needed to place the plant
on a business basis and without said
money At cannot operate and as there Is
no law known that can compel concern
to operate upon a losing basis unless by
an iron-bound contract. the city IS prac-
tically at the mercy Of the company
Windmills and drive wells. the more
conservative say are adequate enough for
ordinary use but when Il comes TO water
for the purpose OF extinguishing fires such
appliances are impractcahle without the
adjunct Of a water towcr-and water tow
ers cost money, which the city Is short Of
at the present time.
It Is probable. however, that before any
radical steps are taken on the subject
public meeting will be called and the mat
ter discussed in all Its phases.
Now that the city Is in state OF fer
ment over the water question the subject
of a bonded debt IS cropping out and is
being discussed thoroughly. Some even go
so far as TO advocate the calling. previous
20 the fail election. Of a mass meeting of
citizens whose object shall be TO place IN
nomination man Irrespective OF poll
tics, for the General Assembly from New
Castle hundred and one who shall urge
such legislation accordingly as he may
be instructed, as win bring relief to the
city.
This plan. naturally, has met with op-
position on the part OF some Of the more
radical element who place general State
legislation above any enactment which
would be beneficial to the city alone, bas-
ing their opposition on the ground mat
such legislator would have the power to
cast his vote, possibly the deciding one,
on strictly party measures that naturally
arise.
Strange as it may seem TO some. ono oil
the strongest advocates Of this policy is
a former city official, a Democrat, who
is not seeking office, one who while In
office proved faithful and VINO is Wiling
to abide by the choice Of the people That
some prompt and energetic action must be
taken at once is admitted by al.
I NEWS " AfiI NRhfAf
Members Of Industry Council Daughters
Of America. met last evening and elected
the following officers for the ensuing six
months:
Councillor. mrs. Sue Morgan; vice-coun-
cilior. Mrs. Julia Schroeder; assistant
councillor, Mrs. John Hammers; assist
ant vice-counciiior Mrs. Mary Countiss;
warden. Mrs. Annie Winslowi inside sen-
rinei. Mrs. Zachariah Gemni,ll; secretary,
Miss Mary Gemmiil; assistant secretary,
Miss Anna Gemmill; trustee for six
months. Mrs. Mary Countiss.
Scholars Of the NJ. f. Church Sunday
school returned last evening. tired. but
happy from a days picnicing in Penns-
grove.
An examination into the condition OF
the Ienape fire engine will be made this
morning by a Wilmington machinist and
a water pumping test will be made. The
result OF t7e test and the cost of repairing
the steamer will be laid before council.
George Pustil has engaged In the FISH
business and win occupy shortly stand
on Delaware street wharf
Peter G. Madden visited a Philadelphia
hospital yesterday and consulted physi-
clans as to the condition OF his leg. Mr..
Madden will return to the hospital again
IN a few days.