The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1908-01-03
INCREASE IN RATES
Company Gives Reason for Making the
InCreasc-SmaH Are not
Affectcd-Aaise Was Decided ON at
Meeting of Directors on Monday
Norning-Thc New Rates Pub
IiShed.

SuilftIS "dS utCIuCu Oil DIT d L1S0liiE
OF the directors of The Clarendon Wa
terworks company at q meeting held
on Monday, and the lew water rates
were sent out by the company to itb
patrons yesterday morning. The rates
go into effect today and water serv-
ice will iE the future cost more than
it has in the past.
The claim IS made by the company
that under the old rates a reasonable
interest on the large amount of mon
ey invested was not returned, which
would also provide for deterioration and
betterment constantly demanded ana
made necessary. After r~eciting this
fact M announcing the new rateA
which are considered necessary, the
company asks the fair consideration
0: the public.
On the lowest fixture and meter
rates there is no increase, and hence
the small users of water will not b.
effected. The rate for one opening
will remain at $500 per annum and
the meter rate up to 5000 cubic feet
per quarter will be 20 cents per hun.
Gred cubic feet. The minimum quar-
terly meter rate will be $3.50 which
allows during the three months 9,37j
gallons. The maximum rate is 2G p
cents per thousand gallons and an
interesting comparison with the maxi
mum meter rates per thousand gal
Ions at other points in the state is
made. II
The increases announced are nOr
based on any regular percentage, but
are made in accord with the best wis
don of the company's officers who
have ~endeavored to make the neces.
sary changes with as little hardship
to consumers as possible.
There was not any great criticism
OF the company yesterday by citizens
who had received the announcement
of the increased rates, the few who
were heard to express themselves hav
ing taken the view that as there mas
been an advance in nearly everything
else an increase in water rates could
not be reasonably unexpected.
The following communication issued
yesterday to their patrons by the Clar-
endon WaterWorks company is self
explanatory:
Office of Clarendon Water Works Co.,
Announcement.
Wilmington, N. c. Dec. 81, 1907
TO the patrons of the Clarendon Wa
ter Works CO.:
During the past three years a steady
relentless, staggering campaign has
been waged by politicians n part O,
press against this company and its
interests.
1t was sometimes call a fight FOR mu>
nicipal ownership. At times it was
1t has always been a fight against
us
The people were mislead. More
through ignorance than prejudice, they
were lead to believe that this company
was charging oppressive rates, when
the rates here were lower than any
place in North carolina, OF its size.
Leading chemists and our state board
of health declared the water whole
some and pure. This blessing to any
community was a fact practically sup
pressed to the d%etri1nent of the city's
welfare and progress and to our
hurt.
The will of the people is supreme and
must win. We hoped that the con-
slant agitation would enlighten. Fin
ally at the polls further existence was
denied us. 1t was decreed that We
must sell or die. We then only asked
fair remuneration for our property.
Two experts, one for the city and one
for the company, passed upon the val
lie of the plant. These two experts
only, of all connected with these ne
gOtiatiOnS, has such experience as
gave them knowledge to know. Their
reports had little influence. and the
money paid for them practically wasted
The reports, however. made this fact
known, that municipal or private Op-
Grafton of public utilities was nOt in
the same class as free producing gold
mines. The people who wants facts,
heard the ominous truth.
They then Knew that there had
been much talk with little knowledge
behind it.
The craze began to decline. It's pop
ularity decreased perceptibly.
What of the company in the mean
time? It's friends had been driven
from it, and worse, its credit totally
destroyed. We awOke IN the morning
not surprised to read of some attack
upon US: the sun went down to the
grim music of the attack repeated.
A business without mus. |
die. !
Municipal power Or impulse cannot
be overcome by stricken business in
t~erests, and finally We succumbed, &C
cepted the situation as best We could,
to sacrifice the plant at a value |
&C fair by the CITY itself sever |