Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1906-03-06
WILMINor0N. rUBsDAY. MAHoH ..
nIscAllANEoDs aEcoRh
oenornl Uae of va Matera.

General Use OF Water Meters.
Msior Gillette, the new chief of Phila-
delphias Bureau Of Water Filtration,
has created a commotion by his recon-
mendation that a meter service be in
stalled throughout the city, in private
houses as we'll as in manufactures and
public buildings. To do this would re-
quire about 100000 water meters, costing
Sl2 or sl5 apiece e-Ss, 500 600 to s4,5O0,-
600 in all--the cost Of which would come
from the pockets Of the consumers Of
water
The organs and leaders Of the recently
crushed political machine are foremost
in the opposition 10 Major Gillottes sug=
gestion. In the first place and, natu-
rally, considering their native Incline
tions they shout "grnft" in the purchase
OF the large number Of meters. Next,
they howl about the imposition" which
the people would be compelled to sub
init to under a meter system.
To the first objection Major Gillette
replies by saying that open advertising for
bids, and honest awards Of contracts, will
assure competition in the matter Of pro-
curing meters and the award Of the CON
tract 70 the lowest and bost bidder. In
tho matter Of imposition" he is CON
idcnt that tho people will obtain their
water az cheaper rates under the meter
system than under the prevailing system.
The great incentive to the change,
Major Gillette insists, is the enormous
waste of water, amounting to millions
OF gallons each day, under existing con-
diiions This is due to tho carolessness
OF people generally, and in cold weather
10 allowing water TO run al night in order
to avoid freezing Of the pipes, both of
which evils, he holds, would he eifec-
tually romodied by tho introduction Of
meters, when people would bo careful
about wasting water that they were re-
quircd 20 pay for. Under the new system
he would have tho water rates imposed
on the people, instead Of on the proper
ties. his argument being that tho land
lords, relieved Of the wator tax, would
make a corresponding reduction In rents.
u ia not surprising however, that many
people do not indono this conclusion.
In addition 70 the opposition of the
machine leaders and organs, the opposi-
tion Of many good citizens has boen
aroused by Major Gillcitos suggestion,
which. by tho way, has bcen warmly in
dorsed by Mayor Weaver. People are
fearful that the introduction Of meters
would result in increased charges for tho
use Of water Some hold that the intro
duction Of meters into dwellings would
50 affect pcnurious people that they would
restrict themselves TO the point Of un-
cleanliness in order to make their water
hills as light as possible Tho argument
h advanced that when bath presented
itself in the form Of costing 30 much money
at meter rates, thousands would dispense
with the bath. Il is also urged that ex-
cessive economy, melted by the knoWl-
edge that every gallon Of water meant sc
much IN money value, would restrict the
uso Of water for cleansing purposes TO fai
below the limit Of proper sanitation.
In the city of Wilmington water meter
arc used 70 a considerable extent, but not
generally. With respect to dwellin.
houses the department is restricted b,
law 10 a charge not exceeding five dollar
per year for a hydrsnt in the yard o.
house, or both, and this is the prevailin,
charge for such houses. The five dollar
a year for one hydrant in the house o
yard or both. is also the basis for dwellinl
house charges generally, with additiona
chsrges for additional hydrants, batl
tubs, layatories, &c.
Water meiors have been installed b,
the department in manufacturing estab
lishments hotels, public buildings. an,
also in many private houses. For TN
latter a fat rate is established, with ex
ira use charged At meter rates. tn,
experience Of many householders VII,
have liberal water arrangementsat thei
homes Is that they pay less under thl
meter system than under formes.eondi
tions, and at the same time use an IN
water necessary to health and comfort
without stint in bathing. Large con
sumeN of water find the meter systeu
saving over the former fat rates.
Perhaps the Wilmington system woull
be better for Philadelphia than an arbi
trary installation Of general mote
system against the wishes Of many goo
citizens who doubt the propnety OF sue
8 change.