The French Broad hustler. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1896-1912, 1908-02-20
The MAYOR
TALKS ABOUT
The METERS.
Does Not Want to In
crease the Burden of
ation-A Herd
ship on None = Fair
AndJust to A1-The
Board Acts Only Af-
ter Careful Consid-
GRAFTON and Thought

4ssAS
Referring to the town commissioner
deciding to install water meters IN al
residences here, Mayor Michael Schemes
says:
"WhiIe I admit that meters are MOI
the ideal solution of our water problem
/ believe their use to be the best way tc
increase the water shortage.
The Board has acted only after the
fullest and most careful investigation
of the whole matter, and being ex-
tremely anxious to put noaeW burden oi
taxation upon the people under present
financial conditions, 1 believe they
have acted wisely in this'matter.
Last year, notwithstanding the fact
that water was cut of two and three
nights q week, the supply got down to
two feet-a mere puddle, and the board
believes that as much water was wasted
as was used. If this state of affairs re-
occurs and it becomes generally knowrs
our insurance rates will be greatly 10
creased.
"The use of meters will certainly pre-
vent this waste and thus increase the
supply. Meters were installed in Col
umbia, s. c., in 1896, and it did not be-
come necessary to incesse the water
supply until 1904, Notwithstanding
this was the period of Columbia's 8 great
est growth. Recently the leading pa
pers of Charlotte and Statesville have
written able editorials recommending
meters. Meters are used in Marion and
many other towns in North Carolina
advantageously and satisfactorily to all
concerned.
1.-THE average family will save money
by the use of meters. The boarding
houses will certainly save money. Four
fifths Of the consumers will come under
the minimum rate of so cents q month,
and even 1000 extra gallons will cost
but 1S cents. 1t will really increase the
water supply. 1t is the fairest, most
equitable and most just way of paying
for water. The city does not seek to
increase its revenue but It's water supply
in the way least burdensome to the tax
payers, and the Board is unanimous in
their opinion as to the best method.
'When the present city administra-
tion took hold, they found the town
deeply in debt. To cite two instances
as illustrations, the present board has
paid to x.treas. j. S. Rhodes $500 for
the school fund which had been collect
ed and diverted to other channels by pre-
vious administrations. They also paid
S. J. Justice $500 for city map author
lied by a previous administration, and
SO on. e,..,
''To increase the water supply in
any adequate manner would mean a
bond issue. 1 believe it would be i'm
possible to carry such an issue if voted
on by the people, and as a public
s erVent will not aid in
issuing such bonds or in placing addi-
tional tax burdens upon the people when
there appears to be an almost universal
sentiment against such action.
"The costof a pump and its up-keep
is prohibitive. To get water from
Finlay Creek would mean an expendi-
ture of between $4,000 and $4,000. Per-
sonally believe the city's water will
eventually come from Bridal Veil Falls,
when we would have supply for over
IOO, O,OOO people.
st is condition, not theory that
confronts us'' and as such has been
considered. Turning addi-
tional water into the reservoir has been
considered. The expedient of pumping
has been considered. The matter of
bonds has been considered. The cost
has been prOhibitive, the additional
taxation too burdensome and the meters
have been adopted as the only equitable
under our present clrcun-
of . serious problem that had to.
be solved without delay.