The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1904-06-14
CHARGES OF TWO CITIES
Table Showing What Some Of Largest
Consumers Pay Under Meter
System and Old Method.

exOrbitant rates paid for water by
people having water meters, we give
herewith a list of representative Gus
toners, which affords a good general
idea of the prices paid for water.
In this table we have given the
amount paid by the customers on the
flat rate before the meter was in
stalled, the amount the customer
would have paid had the rates estab-
lished by the city of Great Falls
beer charged. We have quoted the
Great Falls rate on account of the
fact that their plant is owned by the
city, that all large customers are be-
ing placed on meters, and that in adj
dition to the amount paid by private
consumers the city levies a tax of
2 mills On all of the assessable pro-
perty of the city, which is credited to
the water fund, and Notwithstanding
this the published reports of the de-
partment show that the plant ran be-
hind about $4,000 during the past
year. The appended list of customers
was selected at random and we would
be glad to make a like statement in
regard to any of our other customers
to any one interested:
Mrs. D. A. ROss-Amount paid on
flat rate for 1902, $31.95; amount paid
On meter rate for 1903, $24.OO; Great
Falls rate, meter, $3.50.
Thos. A. Snidow-Flat rate, 1902,
$4,000; meter rate, 1903, $4,000; Great
Falls rate, $48.8O q.
W. B. George-Flat rate, 1902,
$4,000; meter rate, 1903, $4O.7O; Great
Falls rate, $42.15.
B. G. Shorey-Flat rate, 1902,
$46.80; meter rate, 1903, $500; Great
Falls rate, $54.65.
Chas. M. Bair-Flat rate, 1902,
$4,000; meter rate, 1903, $23.9O; Great
Falls rate, $1,000.
Ed. Cardwell-Flat rate, 1902,
$4,000; meter rate, 1903, $19.15; Great
Falls rate, $12.65.
Chas. F. Burton-Flat rate, 1902,
$4,000; meter rate, 1903, $3.50; Great
Falls rate, $27.45.
1. D. O'Donnell-Flat rate, 1902,
$3.50; meter rate, 1903, $27.4O; Great
Falls rate, $24.35.
Chris Yegen-Flat rate, 1902, $50. 90;
meter rate, 1903, $31.4O; Great Falls
rate, $1,000.
j. B. Elliot-Flat rate, 1902, $500
meter rate, 1908, $44.35; Great Falls
rate $38.15.
David Fratt-Flat rate, 1902,
$4O.O 0 meter rate, 1903, $27.95; Great
Falls rate, $24.9O.
w. L. Linton-Flat rate, 1902.
$4,000; meter rate, 1903, $32.05; Great
Falls rate, $29.90.
Billings Brewing Co.-Amount paid
on meter rate, 1903, $414.9S; Great
Falls, rate, 1903, $526.O4.
Steam Laundry-Amount paid on
meter rate, 1908, $26S. 80; Great Falls
rate, $397.95.
School District No. 2, north side
Amount paid on meter rate, 1903,
$146.27; Great Falls rate, $232.7O.
School District No. 2, south side
Amount paid on meter rate, 1908,
$13O.93; Great Falls rate, $179.45.
Billings Water Rate.
For first 1000, cubic feet per month,
rs cents per 100 cubic feet; all in ex-
cess of 1000 cubic feet per month, 10
cents per 100 cubic feet; less 10 per
cent if paid when due.
Great Falls Rate.
Fifteen thousand gallons or less per
month, 80 cents per 1000; $4,000 to
10000 gallons per month, 25 cents
per 1000; 10000 to 100000 gallons
per month, 20 cents per 1000; 100000
gallons or over, Is cents per 1000;
plus 10 per cent if not paid when due.
One hundred cubic feet equals $50
gallons.
A large number of people have
been very busy making statements
about the outrageous prices, as they
term them, charged by u company
both for water and electric light. In
regard to water we would say that
three-fourths of the cities of the
United States are charging for water
by meter measurement and we court
comparison of our rates with the rates
charged in eastern cities. In regard
Ito the price of electric current we
make the unqualified statement that
there is no city in the whole northwest
where lower rates are charged or
better service given.
w. -oonoladA &hak tho