Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-12-02
Municipal Plant Likely When
Great Falls Are Harnessed.
STATED AT WATER HEARING
But Commissioner Judson Says It De.
ponds on Congress.
PROTEST AGAINST NEW RATE
Citizens Are Heard, But Little En-
couragement Is Given That It
Will Not Be Enforced.

If Congress provides for Harvesting the
water power of Great Falls through the
building of an additional conduit to the
Dalecarlia reservoir, which not only will
| increase the water supply, but will make
possible the establishment of a municipal
lighting plant. the District Commission
ers may give consideration to lowering
the new water rates, scheduled to so into
effect July 1 next.
This promise was made by Engineer
Commissioner Judson today during a
hearing on the water rates given repre-
sentatives of citizens associations in the
board room of the municipal building.
The Engineer Commissioner injected a
new feature into the situation by stating
that the decision of the Commissioners to
increase the rates was due in no little
measure to pressure from officials of the
War Department, in charge of certain
water matters in the District who long
since have been under the impression that
the entire service should be metered in
order to conserve the water supply.
He declared that he held out against
raising the rates with a view to metering
the service until he had become absolutely
convinced himself that unless steps were
taken Immediately to conserve the water
supply the building of an aqueduct at a
cost of several millions of dollars would
Citizens Given Little Hope.
Several speakers, representing citizens
associations, appeared at the hearing, but
they carried away with them but little
hope that the Commissioners will recon-
slider their action and restore the rates to
the old basis. The conference, which be-
gan at 10 o'clock, lasted more than three
hours.
William NICK. Clayton, president of the
Federation Of Citizens Associations, CEN
sured the Commissioners for ordering the
rates before giving the taxpayers of the
District chance to be heard in the
matter. He requested that the order be
withdrawn until the citizens could be
fully heard.
To this Commissioner Judson replied
that the District heads were charged with
the duty Of fixing the rates each year and
that 1t was within their power to increase
or reduce them at any time good reasons
appeared for making a change in the
schedule. 1t was not necessary. he point
ed out. to withdraw the recent order with
a view to securing the opinion Of the
citizens.
Representatives of the citizens associa-
tons, he suggested, should at this time,
or any other, lay before the Commission
ers any arguments they might desire to
present in favor of changing the rates,
and they could be assured that the Dis
trict heads would give them every con-
Sideration.
Mai. Judson said that if Congress were
to provide for the metering of the entire
wdter service of the District 1t would
still be necessary to raise the rates, as 1t
is estimated that the revenues of the
water department would be reduced to
the extent of $214 per meter each year,
making total reduction Of 100000.
Says Revenues Have Increased.
Replying to this. S. S. Symons, repre-
senting the Rhode Island Avenue Subur-
ban Citizens Association, pointed to the
fact that within the past six years the
water department has metered "a per cent
of the service out of its surplus, funds,
and yet it's revenues constantly have in
creased.
IF metering reduces the revenues, how
! is it that the funds of the department
have increased?" Mr.. Symons asked.
Major Judson said that the meters in
stalled represent practically the growth
| of the water service. 1t would be an i'm
possibility, he declared, for the depart
! ment, with it's own funds, to entirely
| meter the service.
| Under the new schedule. the Engineer
Commissioner said that there would be a
sufficient water supply until Washington
has reached population of 100000.
With the former rates continued. it is
possible that there might be shortage
in the water supply this year, he de-
clared While this is not probable, it is
| at least possible, and should be guarded
| against, he added.
| NJ NJ McLane, who spoke for the
Brookland Citizens Association said that
/: his association favors the proposition to
meter the service, and would stand by
| the Commissioners decision
j. w. Butterfield declared that, in his
| opinion, water consumed by househoiders
should be free and put on the general tax.
Should Compare With Other Cities.
Other speakers were Evan Tucker and
/ W. j. Frizzell, representing the Northeast
| Washing ton Citizens Association: Mrs.
! Frederick Coville and d. A. Edwards of
the Lincoln Part Citizens Association
I TIE latter association. also, has Endorsed
/ the Commissioners stand.
| Before complaining about Washington
prices our people should always inquire
what the prices of similar articles are in
| other cities throughout the country said
| Mr.. Edwards. .'If the prices prove to be
! less here than in other cities where con-
| ditiOns are much the same, then surely
| there should be no complaint.
| Official statistics are published describ-
| ing in detail the water supply depart
ments of 375 cities. In some of these the
| water plant is owned by private corpora
| tons or individuals, and some by munich
| palities In some cases they have the ex-
| ira expense of filtration plant as Wash
| ington has, but large share of them dc
| not.
| In many cities they have a high and a
! low rate. The large consumers. like the
| factories, are given q much lower rate
| than the homes. They have struch an