Omaha daily bee., 1908-10-26

M0TkHnoHHs AtNl ENtIE UIh " AoN sHsHHH wv
Each additional person ............ o.S
Meter Rates.
In all cases where water shall be fur
nished by meter measurement, the rates
therefor shall not exceed the following:
Gallons per Day. 1000 gals.
SOU OF iess ~ I
1000 to 1000 ~ c
4,VO 10 l6,6OO 10 c
l6,6O TO 2o,WO ia2c
over 5000 ~ G
Providing, however, that In cases where
the consumption of water shall not equal
1900 gallons per month, the water company
shall have the right to make an additional
charge OF 10 cents per month to cover cost
Section 2 II is further hereby ordered
that any consumer OF water may elect,
upon written notice to the water company,
to take water by meter measurement upon
paying or rendering the cost OF the meter
and for the installation thereof, said me-
ters to be installed within or without the
building, as the consumer may elect.
is not in recognition Of any right or claim OF
right OF the Omaha Water company to oc-
cupy the streets Of the city Of Omaha, or
to maintain or operate It's water works
within the city OF Omaha, but is intended
and Is to be interpreted as a fixing of just
and reasonable rates to be charged by the
Omaha Water company since the expiration
Of its contract rights with the city, or to
occupy the streets OF the city, and pending
the period of time that may elapse before
the final termination OF the proceedings
under the election by the city to purchase
the said water works unless sooner modi-
fled or amended.
Review of the Work.
Accompanying the report the committee
on water rates submits a long report cov-
ering the detail Of its mission dating back
to March IS, 1906. tina report states that
the committee found the rate Of IS cents
per 1000 gallons charged of small con-
sumers to be exorbitant and the rate of
5 cents per 1000 gallons charged some large
consumers to be disproportionately high.
The report goes into the various steps
taken by the board and the invitations
issued by the board TO the officials of the
water company TO meet with the board and
take up the matter Of rates. 1t says tho
board advised the company OF its intention
to reduce rates and argued that IL the
company had objection to this and thought
the rates reasonable It should appear
through its officials and make a showing.
Thereupon, the report states, the attorney
for the company challenged the right OF
the board to cut rates. The board based
its right on the claim that the contract
rights between the water company and
the city terminated September 4, 1908.
President Woodbury. of the water CON-
pany declined to appear or produce the
DOCKS or records OF earnings OF the COM
pany for the use of the Water board, the
statement says. Thus, the committee says,
it was deprived Of this information which
might have benefited It in its work.
Denies Right of the city.
The report concludes thus;
This report and recommendation is moi
made in recognition of any right claimed
by the Omaha Water company to occupy
the streets of the city of Omaha since the
4th day of September, 1905, or hereafter &c
occupy the streets of the city of Omaha
or to have, collect, or receive, since the 4th
of September. 1903, or to hereafter collect
and receive the water rates set down In
ordinance No. 423, but is intended to fix and
determine what the Water board under and
by virtue of the powers in it vested, Judge
and determine to be reasonable compehsa.
ton for the water which the Omaha Water
Company may deliver TO private consumers
pending the period of time that may elapsC
between this and the final termination Of
the proceedings under the election OF the
city OF Omaha to purchase the water works
unless otherwise ordered and directed BY
L ~