Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-07-06
No Increase in Water Rates!

II is noted, in connection with the
statement, printed yesterday in The Star,
hat further increase in the water rates
n the District Is contemplated by the
Commissioners, that in all likelihood II
many of the consumers had not already
paid their bills for the year the change
would be ordered at once. This is for
innate circumstance. 1t doubtless inter-
,oses check upon a program against
which there is certain. to be immediate
md vigorous protest. based upon sound
.eason.
There is no logical warrant for raising
he rates The excuse suggested is that
ZONE $4,000 Is needed TO extend the meter
equipment To meet this cost more than
.wice the amount is. according to the
pending proposition, to be taken from
ne water users those already metered
rs we'll as the unmetered- What is to
De done with the $50 900 extra revenue Is
rot stated
A few years ago the rates were raised
oy one-third. to pay for the metering OF
louses and business establishments. The
money thus secured has been expended
md the equipment is in operation. There
s no suggestion that this process of
ate raising 10 pay for successive in
tallments of meters will cease when all
he consumers are metered. No one ex-
,ects the rates ever to be restored when
,nce they have been increased. Thus
is quite possible-indeed. 1t is alto
,ether probable-that In the course of
EN- or dozen years more the rates will
lave mounted TO an extoruonate point
Inder the impulse of the false system of
Increasing the taxation to meet expendi-
lures on permanent equipment.
1t is urged at the District building that
he local rates are now lower than else
where. That does not, If true. argue that
hey are too low, or that any increase
whatever is needed or justified. The only
iound rule for the fixing of a mainte-
nance tax Is that of determining first
shat the service costs. and then appor-
ioning the expense upon the users &C
sording TO the benefits derived. regardless
II what similar services cost elsewhere.
Nor should the water system be relied
apon as a producer Of revenue. The
.heory Of the water rate Is that it rep
'esents the individual users share of
the actual cost of the service. To go
farther and to consider the water user
rs a contributor TO a general fund. out
" which the service is maintained and
the surplus used for equipment on the
general account, is to destroy the prin-
uple which has always been maintained
n giving the people drinking and bath
ng and cleansing water at cost
Already thousands Of Westinghouse
ire paying for more water than they use.
although metered. Their minimum rate
8 higher than they would pay If an alb
,olute quantitHrive tax were imposed.
This leads to water waste. 1t is at the
same time excessive taxation. II the
-ates are raised in the face of the pro-
.ests that are already being voiced the
imall users. who are the great majority.
Mil be mulcted in still heavier sums for
water not consumed, and in truth not
needed. If more revenue is imperatively
required to maintain the current service
which has not been suggested-a higher
rate for the larger users would be more
equitable than a horizontal increase, af-
.ecting those who now pay for more than
hey use as well as those who pay only
FOR the water they consume.
In any case the Commissioners should
ay all the facts and figures before the
people before they reach de ,ision. This
S one of the most vitality important mat
els within their jurisdiction, affecting
Tot only the purse but the health of the
posed of IN closet consultation. but SUBJ
nitted TO the public judgment for exami-
nation and thought