Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-11-28
WHY DEAR WATER?
Can't. Markham Writes in De-
tense of the Increase.
STILL DEMAND A HEARING
xckiuRtou Citizens 1ndorse Attitude
Of The Star in Respect to
New Water Rates.

Although no formal expression Of the
attitude Of the association toward the
proposed increase in water rates was
made, individual members OF the North
Capdtol and lexington Citizens Associa-
ton went on record last evening in favor
Of the Commissioners withdrawing tenn
pofarHy their order and giving to the
PEOPLE of Washington hearing on the
merits OF the question. An editorial In
The Star of recent date on Next Years
Water Rates was read by August
Jaeger OF the water committee. No
sooner had Mr.. Jaeger taken his seat
than W. J. Frizzell declared that for
ono he wanted to indorse ''the attitude
The Star has taken on the side Of the
people
W. G. Henderson. after several others
had spoken on the proposition. urged
that the matter go back for further COM
mittee consideration, and this action was
taken.
Letter From Capt. Markham.
Prior to tho discussion Of the question
M. Jaeger read a communication from
Capt. Markham, assistant to the Engi-
neer Commissioner, which is regarded as
one Of the first formal communications
from an authoritative source at the Dis
trict building dealing with the matter
ct issue.
1T may be stated said Capt. Mark
ham. that by reason of the fact that
past consumption in critical months mas
Appropriated, and on one occasion ac-
tually reached the capacity of our aque-
duct and storage, it is recognized as
necessary to do one of two things. either
to provide at once for the construction
of additional water supply at cost or
several millions of dollars or TO eHect
such control of consumption as to pre-
vent the known large extravaganza and
actual waste involved in the same.
Moreover. 1t has been recognized that
past rates have involved manifest inequl-
that in an investigation of some 1900
metered services recently made 1t de-
veloped that under the fiat rate OF 40
less than IL per cent of these lS,OOo
services have utilized their minimum al
lowance, and about 81 per cent of the
same have actually utilized less than one
half the said minimum allowance, not
withstanding that all pay the same nat
rate.
'Under schedule rates, where the charge
IL based on frontage and story height,
similar inequalities OF consumption under
the same cost exist. Under both meter
rates and schedule rates 1t Is known that
a large proportion of premises use far in
excess OF any TedSOHdDic VI CSCu cAlpiO
domestic needs.
No Alternative Method.
'.ro control the situation and at the
same time obviate the necessity of as
dollars for additional supply many years
In advance of actual need for such addi-
tional supply, it has been determined that
all services throughout the District should
be metered. There is manifestly no al
tentative method Of effecting the desired
control,
Furthermore, there exist throughout
the city many old mains whose physical
condition and insufficient size make nee
essary their replacement as soon as funds
can be assigned to that purpose. such
assignment of funds cannot be made I'M
der present rates without the serious cur
tailment of water extensions. the advance
OF which Is certainly most desirable.
The funds for the installation OF
meters in question will come from the
small increase of schedule rates,
which will. of course, obtain only until
premises now under schedule rates
are supplied with meters, and the per-
manent increase OF funds will result
from increasing from 8 cents per hun
dred cubic feet to cents per cubic
foot for metered consumption beyond
the minimum allowance of $500 cubic
rect per annum. For this min lmum
consumption there will, of course, be
charged the fiat rate OF $3.50. The de-
partment contemplates a definite loss
Of revenue of $3.50 for every premise
that is changed from the schedule
rates to the meter rates.
TT has been stated that the re-
visions referred to are unnecessary by
reason Of the fact that the water de-
partment is said to have made a
profit for the fiscal year 1911 of $751;
600. This Is entirely erroneous, since
the sum referred to was merely a re-
naming working balance at the end
OF the year and in no sense a profit
1t could have been wholly expended
IN extensions and requirements, 1eav-
ing balance or profit Of nothing
Calls for Much Money.
TN the replacement of old mains
above referred to Ii is proposed to
use. after metering has been provided
for. such balance yearly as Is avail
able, estimated at about $50 900. Since
such requirements involve a cost of
not less than one and one -half mil
lion dollars. 1T will be seen that such
surplus will have an application for a
number of years.
1T is plain to the department, and it