The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-12-07
NOT FOR Them.
WaterWOrks Trustees Won t
Have Light Plant.
Too Much Opposition in the City
Council.
TALK OF NEW RATES.
Mr. Newland Says Schedule
Simply EquaIizes Things.
Says He Doesn't Feel Sore Over
Council Action.
TALK OF NEW RATES.

with opposition meeting them in
the council in their management of
the waterworks plant, the board Of
trustees won't listen to any scheme
which has as an object the foisting
upon them the city electric light plant
This has been announced by Frank
NeWland, member of the WaterWorks
trustees. THE members OF the board
have been approached by the council
men of late and asked to assume the
management of the electric light plant,
but we won't stand for that now, I feel
assured, not with the opposition which
seems 10 confront us in the council
as a criterion. 1t looks as If the coun-
ell were trying to make a scapegOat
out of the board with this WaterwOrks
plant, to load us up with the trouble
and responsibility and then stand off
and do the talking for low rates.
1--WE have our instructions from the
council and we are endeavoring to live
up to them They instructed US by
ordinance that, The board shall main
TAIN manage. conduct and control and
may improve and extend the water
works, and shah furnish supplies of
water 1t also states that we shall fix
a rate which shall insure an income
sufficient to provide for a fund to pay
salaries and wages of employees, to pro-
vide for miscellaneous expenses, to pay
all interest charges. to provide for a
fund to cover cost of repairs. renewals
betterments and extensions, to provide
Tor fund to cover depreciation to
provide fund to cover all loss Occa-
stoned by accidents. to provide a fund
TO recoup the city for all loss of taxes
assessed against a. plant OF this kind
When owned by private corporations
10 provide d fund to cover cost of
water furnished to fire hydrants and
nushlng Of streets, and to provide for
sinking fund"
These we have to meet. The new
rate does not increase anything except
the one class, the 10000 gallon users,
those enjoying special rates BY reason
OF faVOritism and the minimum meter
rate. Aside from this there are no raises
and there are some material reductions
j nave not received any complaints
from the large users with but three ex-
ceptiOns and they are in that one class
referred to- We have worked over this
rate; we have q more equitable system
than under the old company. It was
possible for a. man before if he really
used 10000 gallons to waste L, 900 addi-
tiOnal gallons run it into the sewer and
save $lI. That does not exist now. The
classes are diam more closely under
the new schedule
I'VE have to adoD- some schedule If
we don't We are liable 10 run into trou-
bic. don't see how we have any au-
thority to charge anyone anything under
the present system We are fustrt1cted
We have not adopted any yet: we are
trying to but can't There is no authuri-
ty for the schedule which is now in eff
feet, except that if is the one which has
been in use all along. If the council
doesn't want this one, they will have to
pass some other kind. No don't feel
sore because we were turned down in
our communication.
There is one feature about this raise
SIN the minimum rate Which is not IN
derstood by a number of people" said
superintendent Jesse Shaw. 1T is this,
that they viii get 500 gallons instead
the 500 gallons for which they are ray
ing % cents. They don't pay more
money for the same amount of water.
But they are required to use more Wa
te.'
The following estimate has been
prepared by the board of the probable
budget of It's expenditures and re-
ceipts.
According to this. in order to pro-
vide for the various funds they are
required to do under the law. the de-
partment will fail behind at the end
of the year by S9,299.S4:
Salaries and wages. .S11.352. OC
miscellaneous expense 5,347.S4
interest 24.5OO.0t
Estimated extensions 800. 100000
Repairs and renewals. 100000
Depreciation of plant 100000
Loss of taxes. ........ $4,000