Evening journal., 1908-04-25

to pay for what he getsg' asked Mr..
Townsend.
I think the exigencies Of the case
demand a minimum rate" was Mr..
Leisen's reply. When asked II he
thought the small consumer should
pay for more water than he gets, Mr.
Leisen said he thought IL only fair for
the department TO charge for the use
of the meters. He thought the small
consumers use all the water they need.
Meters Increase Cost OF Operation
Mr.. Leisen then explained that the
use of meters was suggested with the
idea OF preventing the unnecessary
waste of water. II then came out that
water for which the department
charges $40 costs the city between SO
and IS. Mr.. Leisen said he thought
the city was entitled TO 20 per cent
profit, plus a profit for contingencies,
bonds, etc. The engineer admitted that
the present rates were in excess Of the
requirements Of the department.
Taking another tack, Mr.. Townsend
proceeded 10 show that the establish
ing of the meter basis was entailing n
loss to the department despite the fact
that Il had been established, according
70 Mr.. Leisen, to reduce the expenses.
BY means OF a table Mr. Townsend
showed that the number OF meters had
increased from $40 In 1896 to 4O9s in
1906, and that the cost Of operation in
1896 was si6.49 per million cubic feet,
as compared with S23.41 for the year
1905, an increase OF 81, an increase
from 40 to 64 per cent Previously MI
Leisen said the department had adopt
ed the meter system to reduce the
operating expenses Of the department
Assuming that the table as produced
by Mr.. Townsend was correct, Mr.
Leisen said he could not explain why
the system had worked contrary TO the
theory
IF the table be true. how long will
it be before the department is self
sustaining2" asked Mr.. Townsend.
MANY years, doubtless, assuming
the table is correct Meanwhile the
consumers will be getting the advan-
'tage."
Mr.. Leisen admitted that he had
never made a study OF the department
Operation under the meter system
relative to the excess cost when as a
matter Of fact Il should be less. He
'of operation. but above 1t all he be-
lieved the consumers were getting the
benefit.
Thought Department the Peoples
"Then you are looking out for the
consumers rather than for the de-
Ipartment?" inquired Mr. Townsend.
mo. except that believe the de-
lpartment belongs TO the people"
Ira arFr
system had increased the expenses Of
the department, Mr.. Leisen declared
the system was not a failure as con-
Quoted here.
Mr.. Townsend asked Mr.. Leisen II Il
were not possible that the department
lis pumping more water than is meas
lured, and If so, whether this would
not account for the increased cost of
operation2 Mr.. Leisen replied that II
might. The department he said, could
not tell exactly how much water Is
pumped because Of leakage, etc.
Mr.. Leisen insisted that the meter
system is paying for itself because of
the fact that by its use the depart
ment gets the minimum rate OF SO
whether the small consumers uses
water OF that value or not.
s'-AAN~tA
consumer, and poor?" asked Mr. Town
send.
1T is always unfortunate to be
poor. But there is no one who uses
a meter who would not pay more
without IT," was Mr.. Leisen's reply.
Mr.. Townsend then referred to the
table offered by Mr.. Leisen several
days ago, explaining increases in the
department payroll. but as Mr Leisen
admitted he had not compiled the fig
lures unassisted and therefore could
not explain the data as Mr.. Townsend
might desire, the solicitor gave him
more time to examine the table.
Before adjourning for the day Mr..
Townsend notified Mr. Leisen that he
would take up the matter OF steel
pipe in a few days. going into the JUS
tifcation Of its use by the city in pref
erence TO cast iron pipe for period
Of not hxs years. but rather for 80