New-York tribune., 1906-03-23
'THE USE OF WATER METERS" +"
Why Mr.. Trautwine Made Recommends
ton He Did in Philadelphia.
To the Editor Of The Tribune.

To the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir; Ny attention has just been called TO your
editorial OF the 17th inst. on THE Use OF Water
Meters" IN which you remark that, IN Philadel-
phia in 1898, recommended the employment OF
only $4,000 meters, whereas Major Gillette would
have 500. .Ooo."
1t may be in order to explain that my modesty,
IN 1898, due partly to the lamentable igno-
rance ard prejudice OF people, to which It
seemed advisable TO make all possible concessions
and partly to the antagonism OF our City Councils
to the existing administration and TO whatever
that administration might attempt for the public
good
This opposition appears to have been inspired
partly by a desire 70 hold up all work on the
water supply for the advent OF the notorious Ash
bridge administration IN 1899, and partly to de-
uberate intention to make people 50 disgusted
with municipal management Of the waterwOrks as
to lead them 70 camOr for the turning over OF the
works to some OF the benevolent corporations
which Ike sharks, were following in the wake Of
the municipal vessel waiting for this precious NOR
sci to be thrown overheard (Simnar tactics had
worked successfully in the OF the gasworks-)
was. therefore. fain to restrict my rscommenda-
tions the placing Of meters upon only that small
fraction Of residences (probaby less than one
hfth) where the waste was perpetrated. although
I recognized that such a course would involve
deal OF labor and unpleasantneEs In ascertaining
which OF our residents were the perpetrators Of the
waste and possibly still greater difficulty IN keep
ing the meters applied to the offending residences
York frequently change tenants. so that careful
consumer may be succeeded by careless one
And even without such change the service pipe
Of a careful consumer may waste large quantities
without being suspected
You refer to The Engineering News and The
Engineering Record" arguing exclusively from
the point OF view Of economy" This is the line Of
argument natural and proper for technical jour
nails; for every one who has studied the record OF
the water meter knows that this is. after all, the
ruling considerations: for the question as to the
effect OF the meter upon the public health has long
been settled in favor Of the meter.
But the public (includng the local medical paper
which you Guote) has not learned this 1t stu
Iabors under the deusion that the meter IS de-
signed to restrict (whereas It encourages and pro-
notes. the OF water, and that by protecting
the majority against robbery by small minority
With a view to enlightening the public mind on
this point, I prepared and sent TO each member
Of our City Councils and 10 our newspapers let
ter and circular, but while these documents were
on their way. their honorable bodies were busy
resolving their unalterabe opposition TO the water
meter and their very natural willingness TO vote
millions for tribute, but not one cent for defence
millions for useless works in completion Of the
filter plants but, Of not one dollar for the
knife which would have cut on this graft"
JOHN c. TRAUTWINE. Jr.
Philadelphia, March 49, 1905.