Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-10-14
SEVERE CRITICISM
CATHOLIC PRIEST AssAILs METH
OBS OF DISTRICT GOVERNMENT.
Tells Water Registrar Karpeles He Has
Met Better Persens-Trouble
Over Water Supply.


With reference to the failure of the an
thorities of St Joseph's Parochial School
to install water meter as ordered by the
District officials it wus stated at the DIS
trict building today that Rev. V. r.
Schmitt, pastor of st. Joseph's Church,
will be notified again that the water meter
must be installed, and If this Is not done
within a reasonable length of time the
water for that institution will be turned
off
Rev Father Schmitt has written letter
to Mr.. H. l.. Karpeles water registrar.
and to Commissioner West, In Wmcn ne
vigorously critcises the business methods
of the officials of the District. Mr.; kar-
peleS several days ago served notlce vi
Father Schmitt that the school must III
stall a meter and pay for the water IT uses:
That official stated that the school is not
entitled to exemption from water tax De-
cause it receives compensation for tuition.
Father Schmitt complains in his letters
to the District authorities that he was not
adequately notified of the necessity Tor
installing water meter. He declared tnat
the business of the water registrars once
is transacted in a slipshod way, and that
1.-The order cutting off the water supply
from my poor school children sounds very
much like an order from the little water
car of Washington"
The Priests Letter.
Continuing the priest says:
IF there is such thing as requiring a
water meter, why did not you, or the man
delivering the order, call in person ana
see me. the responsible party? Do you be
lieve it below your dignity to see me ana
explain matters to me? If prejudice Is at
the bottom of it, I can say that nave
met better persons than yourself and un-
derlings on the battlefields during our civil
war Why drop notice at my door when
the wind may blow in any direction! Inc
fact is that you fellows, when you ge&
a little authority, try to lord 1t over help
less people that have absolutely 40 say,
but pay taxes, and by those taxes sup
port YOU Some of these little Washing
ton cars are worse than the Car or Rus
sia."
In closing he said that he would not pay
any attention to contemplate and unbus-
ness-like ways. He said he wanted 10 90
what is right and just.
Chief Inspector Charles Wenger of the
water department. in reporting on this
case, says that he first served the notice
that the school must pay for It's water on
June 81 the janitor of the school, NO
test coming in for a meter for the school,
he saW-the janitor again and was informed
that Father Schmitt was on his leave. In
September he again called at the parson-
age, and young woman who came to the
door told him Father Schmitt was not at
home. The next week he called again, to
find Father Schmitt at home but not to be
seen. The notice on October 1 was hand
ed to the young woman who twice before
had answered the door.
Water Registrar Karpeles informs the
Commissioners that when he came into Of
flee the school was furnished with water
free. This institution receives compensa-
ton for tuition and consequently cannot be
classed as charity school, hence it is not
entitled to exemption from water rent. 1t
should pay $50 per year water rent" The
Commissioners put their approval on the
report of Mr.. Karpeles yesterday.