The Yakima herald. [volume] (North Yakima, W.T. [Wash.]) 1889-1914, 1904-07-06
CURRENT COMMENT.

=
TEN by the company and the price to be
, charged for the water. which is Just
as much of necessity, in this arid
region. as the air we breathe. The city
; council is struggling with the company
in an endeavor to secure reduction of
the present rates charged, which are UNI
doubtedly excessive. and the recent or
der restricting the use of water to four
hours II day for sprinkling and irrigating
purposes has intensified the feeling of
antagonism against the company. The
council committee. without question.
is honestly endeavoring to protect the
rights of the people and will agree to
nothing that does not reduce the pres
ent excessive charges. 1t should go
further, in the opinion of this news
paper, mad insist that the company
improve the service by filtering the
water or otherwise purifying it by means
, of "A settling tank; the $4,000 filter pro-
vided for in the recent franchise that the
council has repealed is little better than
a farce. People who are posted on such
matters say that an adequate filter to
handle the amount of water used by
this city would cost $4,000 or $4,000
Such filter. or some other method to
purify the dirty water that the people
are compelled to drink whenever the
river rises little. should be insisted on.
In regard to restricting the use of
water to four hours a day. the company
claims that it is absolutely necessary;
that its mains are capable of supplying
a city of 10000 people, but that their
capacity is now taxed to the utmost
when only about $500 are being sup
piled; that it must 90 to an enormous
expense to re-pnforce its mains and
pumping plant to continue the present
supply and furnish an adequate pressure.
which should average about 20 pounds
to the square inch and 20 pounds for
fire purposes. 1t admits that the water
supply at the intake is far greater than
is needed, but contends that, by reason
of the excessive waste, the mains will
not carry it to town. The city is now
using. the company claims, about q
100000 gallons of water per day. or ll25
gallons for each man. woman and child
that are being supplied, when the per
capita should not exceed 200 gallons.
1t desires to teach the people to take
care of their lawns. it says. in less time
than they have heretofore consumed
contending that many consumers now
allow their sprinklres to run night and
| udN. o1tentlllleS WITHOUT moving lnem
thus robbing the careful consumer of an
adequate supply. Under these circum-
stances. i'll case of fire. it cannot furnish
the necessary pressure. The company
claims that it does not desire or intend
to draw hard and fast lines in restrict
ing consumers to two hours night and
morning for sprinkling and irrigating
purposes. but is willing for them to add
| hn, will Of
to keep their sprinklers running all the
time.
Concerning meters. the company says
if they are put in the rate will be made
on a sliding scale so that in summer,
during the irrigating season. the more
water used the less the rate will be per
thousand gallons. 1t claims that it does
not want to make more money out of
the consumers. but desires them to use
less water. on which it is willing to re-
| duce the rate. Several water meters are
i'll Use throughout the city to test the
system. two of them being at the See
ond street home of \. b. Weed. one to
measure the water used in his house
and the other the amount consumed by
his lawn. During p days in June, the
company claims. Mr.. Weed used but
6,225 gallons of water in his house. which
has ID rooms. two bath and toilet rooms
several stationary wash stands, pri-
waite laundry and is as well supplied
with water as any private residence in
the city. At 30 cents per thousand gal
| Ions. which Is the maximum rate the
company is allowed to charge under its
| franchise. this amount of water would
cost SlS7. On Mr.. Weeds lawn. which
is l40Xl00 feet. he used during the same
time 29250 gallons. At 30 per thousand
gallons this would have cost SS.11. but
on sliding scale it would cost but $35l.
| For instance. if 30 cents per thousand
gallons was charged for the first 5000
gallons used. the rate might be 20 cents
for 10000 gallons. Is cents for 10000
and II cents for 10000 decrea sing in the
same proportion. But it is not presumed
that the council would agree to allow the
company to charge the maximum rate
fixed under the franchise; it should he
willing to furnish the water at much
lower figure.
THESE facts and figures are simply
given for the benefit of the consumers:
they do not bind the water company or
council to anything. The Herald is
with the council and the people in their
fight for lower rates and a better SER
vice. but has asked the company for
the facts and figures contained in this
article. The latter contends that the
meter systsm will give the people cheap
err water and an adequate supply; that
while it may cost them more in the sum
mer, it will cost less in winter and re-
suit in saving for the entire year
That is what j, desired: that is what
the city administration will insist upon
The company. of course. has its rights
which must he protected but at present
it has no franchise from the city and is
not liable to get one unless it does the
right thing.
THE Politician" writing in last Sun
days Spokesman Review. sizes up our
esteemed contemporary across the street
in this wise:
That Governor Mcbride will identify
himself openly with the democratic pal
~ Is the fervent hope expressed by tine
Yakima Republic. edited by Colonel ".
W. Robertson. eX-democrat. and now a