The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-04-24
CITY HALL NEWS.
Big Plan Launched to Reduce
City Water Rates.
Raise Tax to One Mill on a Dol
lar and Pay Bonds.
WATER 25 CENTS LESS
Shift Burden From Consumer
to Property Owner.
Idea Is Favored by Mayor and
City Officials.
WATER rs CENTS LESS

Here is a proposition launched at
the city hall among the interested Of
ficials with Mayor Green at the head
for the purpose of reducing the water
rates in Topeka % per cent and thus
saving the consumer one-fourth of his
water bill every year-if he is willing
to pay an increased tax for fire pro-
lection.
The idea is to raise the levy for the
water department from thirty-seven
hundredths of a mill to one mill on
every dollar. In other words to re-
Quire tax of 81 on every $1,000 in
stead of 81 cents to every $1,000. This
would pay to the water department
of the city Of Topeka $4,000 instead
of $4,000 as is paid at the present
time. This increase of $4,000 to the
levy of the water department would
make it possible for them to cut the
water rates 25 per cent thus giving
the consumer a rs cents on the dol
lar decrease.
The purpose of this new scheme is
to benefit the small water consumer
or rather the average citizen. The
tax system now in use makes it neces-
sary for a man who owns a home to
pay a double tax-one for the use of
water and one for the fire protec-
ton. If the tax was raised he would
pay one price for all and the big prop
erty owner down town who never uses
an inch OF water would average his tax
with the consumer-thus making fire
protection one general tax-and the
water rates would fall 25 per cent.
The policy of the Topeka water de-
partment is to make the department
self sustaining. This policy is carried
ont all right hnf If costs the little
property owner and the big water con-
sumner too much mOney-Say the city
officials. The annual levy from the
city turns $4,000 into the treasury
for water purposes. In order to make
both ends meet it is necessary to keep
up the high water rates-and thus
pay the expenses of the department.
A larger tax and a smaller rate would
serve the same purpose as a small tax
and large water rate-and the bulk
of the citizens of Topeka are paying
the large rates.
If ii was not for the fire protection
the water department could run on
less than half the cost now caused.
The big heavy mains, the expensive
pipes, the high pressure pumps and all
these are the things that cost the
city so many thousand dollars every
year. If it was not for the fire pro-
the duties at the plant and small
mains would suffice. And who is it
that demands the high pressures and
the big water supply-the down town
districts. the property owners who
own thousands of dollars worth of
for water consumption. These are
the ones who make the expense. The
little workman with small home and
a big water bill is the man who pays
for the fire protection down town.
1t is for his benefit that this new idea
was launched.
1.-THE burdens heaped upon the con-
sumers should be shifted to the prop
erty owners"-is the slogan adopted
by the city officials in favor of the
new plan. For Instance man owns
property worth $4,000 on Kansas
avenue. This man simply owns the
roperty-probably he has no connec-
ton whatever with the city and prob
ably he has no desire to benefit the
city in any manner or means. This
man is paying thirty-seven hundredths
of a mill on a dollar tax for the ex-
cellent fire protection that is on tap
at any time night or day. He is in
good shape. Now take the workman
residence districts. He pays out just
much tax per dollar the man
behind the mahogany desk down
town. But another collector haunts
the domicile of this workingman-the
water bills come around every month.
They are paid with reluctance because
everyone is kicking on water rates
Thus one man pays two bills-this is
not democratic.
If the people of this city wish to
nave their taxes distributed in this
manner all they have to do is to
make their wants known to the city
officials. Mayor Green and his adj
ministration are all anxious to make
the change-and it will be done if the
taxpayers so desire. 1t is simply a
proposition of raising the taxes and
reducing the water rates-the latter
would be reduced much more than
the former would be raised. There
are many people who will raise a
great howl because the taxes are
raised-they always do and they have
a perfect right. The taxes in Topeka
are just as high as the people will
stand at the present time. But when
It is a case of big reduction on one
part with a little increase on the other
the public as a whole would be ready
to vote for it.
J. f. Hazen of the election commits
sioner's office has issued a map of the
city OF Topeka for wall and office
use. 1t contains a business directory
and a marking of all the portions Of
the municipality-such as wards, ad-
ditions. etc. Mr.. Hazen has issued