The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1911-04-29
WATER RATES.

To the Editor of Labor World:
Replying to the Water Boards ar
gument that present rates are correct
and equitable I wish to submit the
following:
The cost of any or all of the water
is not simply the cost of pumping
but the actual cost of every 10000
gallons pumped and sold during 1910
according to the statements and ad-
missions of the board or manager
was as follows:
Pumping .1.5 cents
Services .............. AT cents
Interest on Bonds ..:.....6.6 cents
making a trifle under 10 cents for
each 1000 gallons pumped and sold
without any allowance for deprecia-
ton or a sinkink fund.
The boards argument Of the excess
receipts over pumping cost being pro-
fit can be carried still further and the
claim made that all of the receipts
are profit except the cost of oil and
electricity as all Of the other expenses
must be paid for anyway by the fam
lilies and Taxpayers
All of the water sold at less than
10 gents for each 1000 gallons was
sold below cost. The pumping charge
is the least item in the three divisions
of cost.
Certain data relating to the Proc
tor supply asked of the Every best
authority" was refused to be given
to avoid Embarrassing the board. II
facts will embarass the board they
are due to be embarrassed.
The pumping charge to Proctor to
supply a 100000 gallons daily not
only includes double pumpage but
an increased size of mains and more
pumps which will cause an additional
interest burden Of several thousand
dollars annually.
The provision that they are required
to sell on the same scale as charged
In Duluth makes no difference either
way to the citizens of Duluth.
challenge the Proctor Water Co.,
to submit the figures for August,
1910, to show loss with the water
sold at the rate Of % 1-3 cents for
each 1000 gallons. (The present meter
rate to families in Duluth).
If the r. r. Co., at Proctor uses
large proportion and pays only 4
or cents a 1000 gallons and a. large
proportion of the services are unme-
tered 1t is on basis to show q loss
till the end Of time.
The argument Of Proctor being a,
neighbor and requiring pure water
to avoid disease and epidemics also
applies to Superior and for one I am
in favor of supplying both neighbors
and st. Paul and Minneapolis at a
nr0fif Init IN
In the warm weather when certain
conditions exist the board will admit
that the water in all of the reser-
Volrs will become affected by the ami
malculae found in the warm waters
OF the bay and carried out into the
lake.
The board stated that the double
line of pipe, one leading into and the
other from the West Duluth reservoir
would cause constant circulation that
would keep the water pure and
nealthful. The further increase of
circulation by supplying Proctor at a
traction of the cost is simply en- ex-
cuse thought of later. The Proctor
bird is not goose laying golden eggs
but gander.
However, the only business the CT
tlzens OF Duluth have in the matter
o! the Proctor supply is the price they
pay:
The practice with other municipal
plants as far as heard from is to sup
ply water to suburban towns at a
profit above all expenses.
many think that hydraulic eleva-
tors cause water rams that in1ure the
mains and plumbing and therefore a
source Of loss and damage so that the
loss of that business would be of bene-
fit to the plant.
1t is commonly supposed that
water used In boilers is better for be-
ing pure and free from material caus-
ing scale.
Inc board are silent in discussing
the rate as applied to the, hotels,
laundries although several of the