The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1911-11-15

For the first time since the issuance
OF the order for an increase in water
rates in the District, Engineer Commits
sioner Judson last night made public
defense of the action of the District
officials. The explanation was given be-
fore the Lincoln Park Citizens Associa-
ton at a meeting in Ingram Memorial
Church.
WORKS NO INJUSTICE.
The increase was declared by Maj.
Judson to be proper, businesslike. and
conservative" He said the increase in
rates would work no injustice upon the
people of the District. but would rather
accrue to their benefit. The Commits
sioner astonished his large audience,
composed OF representatives of many
citizens organizations, by stating that
under the new rates the water supply
would cost the average consumer only
little over cent a day.
Mai. Judson did not seize the opportu-
nifty, as some had anticipated, of making
a stirring speech in answer to the loud
denunCiation which has been flung at
him and his fellow-Commissioners since
the day the order *as passed. The Com
missioner merely presented facts and
left them for the consideration of his
audience without argument He deIiv-
cred his address on the theory that truth
needs only to be stated to be made plain.
MeterinE System Needed.
Every fair-minded man will admit
the need Of a system Of metering in
connection with the water service said
Maj. Judson. AT present there is a
-4-T,,n
the city. The system of metering will
reduce this waste materially. The waste
is the greatest during the extremely cold
weather, when the people let their water
run to keep the pipes from freezing. If
at present We should have two weeks of
cold weather the city probably would be
faced by water famine. Last winter
during the week of extremely cold
weather the people consumed more water
than the conduits could supply. Happily
our reservoirs will hold a supply of from
ten days to two weeks, and this decreases
the possibility of a famine.
II the present water supply, however,
should fail; for instance If Cabin John
Bridge should collapse, the city would
not suffer. While repairs were being
made to the Conduits water could be
pumped into the city mains out Of the
canal and while it would be necessary
10 boii the water TO insure against posi-
have all the water ii would need.
Besides the waste Of water, the con-
sumption is annually increasing in pro-
portion to the population of the city.
The Commissioners realize that at the
pr sent annual increase in the amount Of
consumption of water it would soon be
necessary to construct another conduit
for supplying the city. Such a conduit
would cost approximately 5000 900. In
order to delay this great expense for
years to come. the Commissioners de-
cided that the installation of meters was
the only means Of action.
Would Face Big Deficit.
But the Commissioners discovered that
assuming the meter system were donated
to the District the system would cause
such reduction in the water taxes of the
city that the water department at the
end of the first year would face a deficit
of $4,000 For instance, man paying IS
a year water rent under the fiat system
would be required to pay only about $3.50
under the meter system. So to prevent
such a deficit an increase in the water
rates was deemed necessary. l think that
the increase order was the proper, busi-
nesslike, and conservative step to take.
Some Of the citizens talk of petition
ing Congress to settle the question of
water rates for the District. If such
steps are taken, you will find that the
Commissioners will considerably increase
the rates. Congress will look at the
proposition from a standpoint OF cost of
production. and 1t will work strictly along
the principle that higher cost Of produc-
tion means higher rates.
Under the meter rates water will cost
only 1-3 cents for 1000 gallons. This
means only little over a cent a day
Isn't water more requisite than tele-
phone service? And yet we do not COM
plain of paying more than cent a day
for our telephone service.
This increase which the Commission
ers have ordered will be sufficient to
cover all expenses for years to come. At
least I'll say that there will not be an
other increase as long as I'm Engineer
Commissioner. I shall not father another
increase in rates. / have advocated this
increase because I think it is for your
benefit. I don't care whether it's popu-
lar or not; l know that it's a Justice to
you. This increase is entirely fair to
the people OF the District"
Purer Than Bottled Water.
In answer to a question which was
asked by an association member, Mai
Judson expressed the opinion that water
supplied to the people of the District is
purer than some bottled water. The
Commissioner incidentally suggested that
steps should be taken to improve the
cars and steamships. Mai. Judson said
the water supplied in these places is fire.
ouently unhealthy. The Commissioner
said he thought It unfortunate that in
terments were still permitted in Con-
gressional Cemetery.
Mai. Judson said every effort will be
made by the Commissioners to have a
public utilities bill passed at the coming
session Of Congress. He said he believed
the measure would be enacted into law
at once.