Lewiston evening teller. [volume] (Lewiston, Idaho) 1903-1911, 1907-01-05

LeWiSlOHS water SYSTEM ~ " DC
metered, and about $4,000 expended
during the next few months In inn
proving the plant and service. If the
plans Of the city council which were
discussed at last nights meeting, are
carried into effect.
w. A. Smith. water commissioner.
submitted a long communication set
ting forth the cost OF metering the
city and the advantages which would
accrue to both city and consumer. AS
result Of this report he was directed
to prepare detailed statement on the
$4,000 bond issue, to be submitted at
the next meeting Of the council,
Mr.. Smith made the following esti-
mate as to items to be embraced in
the bond issue:
Pump and motor. $7.se5; pump
foundation. $1,000; power house. $2,-
$50; excavating for foundation. $3.50;
5000 feet OF six-inch Kalamine pipe,
$4,000; 5000 feet four-inch Kalamine
pipe. $2.4S0: laying pipe. s1,1oo; 40
fire plugs. $500: setting fire plugs,
5000: 50 four-inch gate valeves $3.50;
20 six-inch gate valves, $3.50; total,
s21.s25.
Motor System Equitable.
It Is the intention Of the council, II
the proposed improvements are made.
to lay the pipes and make all other ex-
cavations before the paving Of the
streets are begun, 30 that the pave
ment will not have to be disturbed.
The size and character Of the pipes to
be used Ii to be decided later.
Mr.. Smiths report IN part. is ar fol-
lows:
AS superintendent OF the city water
works. l wish to make my reasons
plain and to the point why. in my
judgment. the wholesale installment
OF water meters in our city would be
2 good investment for the city. and a
large saving to all Of our patrons.
=
Il do not claim that It Is absolutely
essential to meter this city. for It is
not SO. and II our citizens say they
do not want to meter now, our plant
will take care OF all who want water
just the same, and still make good
showing.
Il do not claim that meters will re-
duce our interest of $4,000, our salary
Of s5,s73.30, our repairs, oil, ETC., $4,000,
our betterments of ss.267.73, but 1 do
claim it will distribute the burden of
our water consumers SO that the Just
and unjust will bear equal share, and
no man will get water for three cents
per 1000 gallons, while his neighbors
pay 80 cents for the same amount.
Condemns Flat System.
There is no justice in so-called
fiat rate. because you have no basis
to work from to establish a rate that
is fair and equal to all concerned. We
already have number of residences
on Normal hill metered, and fail to
find SINCE one but what is perfectly
satisfied and would not change to the
fiat rate basis under any condition.
They ask only for fair meter rate,
and that we propose to give them, and
II any one who will take the trouble
to visit these same places, they Will
find just as beautiful lawns shrubbery
and trees as any place in the city. Be
low submit figures showing est,ma
ted cost of 800 meters installed; also
figures showing proposed benefits and
savings to be derived from the meter
savings to be derived from the metef
system.
/. I've can get 10 per cent from all
prices on meters in lots of 100 or over
500 SIS meters at s9.45 each s. 4.725.0O
800 "a meters at s1420 each 1920. 20
Setting 500 meters at 80 each. 1900 90
Total .........,.. s10.5s5 %
interest on s10.5s52o at s
per cent ....-,..... 52g q
Depreciation on same at 10
per cent .'......'......... 1.05s.0o
Maintenance of same 72dO(
Total cost first year -. .s12.s9a. As
Benefits Of Meter System.
THE figures above give a close esti-
mate of what we would have invest
ed before VIC would expect to derive
any benefit. II we continue under the
present system OF furnishing an un-
known quantity Of water. regardless
# whether il Is one cent or 50 cent,