Evening journal., 1908-05-26
WATER BOARD IS
SEEKING MONEY
Commissioners Shawand Ford
Threaten to Provide Only Tor
Departments Operation
COUNCIL MUST HELP
IF 1T WANTS RECEIPTS

The letter which President Shaw and
Commissioner Ford adopted at the
regular weekly meeting Of the water
commission yesterday afternoon to be
sent to City Council practically pro-
vides that in the event of Council fail
ing to borrow 100000 to complete the
new water system, the board will re-
turn to the public in rebates all re-
Ceipts from water rents over the amount
needed to operate the department dur
ing the coming fiscal year. The letter
follows:
ITO the City Council, Wilmington, Del
Gentlemen: We estimate that the
gross revenue Of the Water Department
for the fiscal year ending June 30th
1908 will be approximately S235,0OO 90
and allowing a discount Of ten per cent
on schedule rates, and five per cent
on meter rates, the net receipts of the
! department would be approximately
| S22O,0 100000.
1T is the feeling Of our Board thai
the citizens Of Wilmington are desir
GUS of having filtered water. and they
are entitled to have it, and It is our
most earnest desire to provide means
for furnishing a pure. wholesome sup
ply of water as directed by law, and
in the event of being prevented from
carrying out the proposed plans with
1 this object in view, we believe that as
compensation the citizens should re-
ceive their water at a lower rate, and
we would accordingly feel justified IN
granting greater discount on all water
bills for next year.
IF, however, the necessary means
are provided for proceeding at oncu
with the construction Of the filtration
works. and all legal and technical
obstacles TO the execution thereof are
removed. we will guarantee that there
will be no reduction in the rates be-
yond the ten per cent. on schedule
and five per cent. on meter rates. in
which event you can rely upon receiv-
ing approximately 100000 from this
department.
Harmonious action between civic
bodies IS the best means of promoting
the city's welfare, and we trust tha,
in our effort TO complete the last linl
of our contemplated plans for fur
nishing a pure water supply. we CIR
rely upon the earnest cooperation ol
City Council. Respectfully,
Board of Water Commissioners
Would Refund Surplus
Following the reading of the letter
Mr.. Knox, who later voted against ITS
adoption, asked the question why IN,
rebates could be estimated shoulc
Council issue the 100000 and If it dit
not provide the 100000. how the re
bates could not be estimated.
President Shaw replied that they dl,
mot feel so disposed
Then you could fix the rates. bu
won't It's a hold-up." said Mr.. KnoS
Mr.. Ford said that the letter spok
for itself and II seemed plain to hia
THE people will either get the filter,
he said, "or get back the surplus O
the department"
Councilman White, chairman Of III
finance committee of Council was pres
ent at the meeting and wanted to know
how the board intended TO provide To-
its Indebtedness.
President Shaw said that he did no
think that Mr., Ford meant that all thi
money received over the annual appro
priation of the department, whicl
amounts to 100000, would be returned
TO the public, but that provision woui,
be made for taking care of the indebt
edness of the department.
The letter was adopted on motion o
Mr. Ford with Mr. Knox voting agains
it,
Board Asks For Bonds.
Another letter which was also adopt
ed followed the reading of the on
above, and # calls Councils attention
to the 100000 loan matter and re-
peats the request made to that bodl
sometime ago, that the loan be foated
It follows;
ITO the Council of the City of Whining
ton
Gentlemen: On April 18th. 1908. III,
Board OF Water Commissioners sent t,
your honorable body a communicates
requesting that you issue bonds to th'
amount Of 100000 as authorized unde
the act of Legislature approved Marcel
29th. 1907 AS we have heard nothinl
in reply thereto. we beg leave to re-
peat the request contained in the resO
luton of the Board, passed April 18Th
, 1908. a copy of which was contained
in the communication above referre,
. to. We would. however, suggest tina
you adopt the necessary measures fo
issuing the whole of the balance au
thorized under the act, viz $3.50 900
and that Glass L. and NJ amounting
to $4,000 be sold as soon as possible
and the balance from time to time OF
required Respectfully.
Board of Water Commissioners
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