Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-10-02
ALL TO FILE PROTEST
Increase in Water Rates Be-
fore Federation of Citizens.
OBJECT TO HASTY ACTION
Charge That Advance Was Ordered
Without Giving Public Hearing.
COMMERCE CHAMBER TO ACT
Report to Be Submitted Wednesday
Next, Recommending an APP
peal to Congress.
OBJECT TO HASTY ACTION
COMMERCE CHAMBER TO ACT


citizens associations against the
action of the Commissioners in order
ing all increase in water rates without
giving public hearing in regard to
the matter will result in the question
being brought before the Federation
of Citizens Associations, at it's meet
ing to be held next Saturday. Presi-
dent William Mex Clayton of the
federation this morning expressed the
belief that action would be taken
with the object of preventing, if pos
| sible, the rates from going into effect
In the meantime there is every indica-
ton that there will be some interesting
Developments at the meeting of the board
| of directors of the Chamber of Commerce
(which has been called for Wednesday of
this week, when the water report of the
municipal legislation committee of the
chamber is submitted.
Report Opposes Increase.
This report strongly opposes an increase
! in water rates. In addition, it is ex-
pected plan will be presented to the
directors which will have as it's object
the making of Il protest to Congress
against the raising of water rates, as
decided upon by the Commissioners
II 10 uOuOtIul IL any actlon by the SOIn-
missfoners on a matter affecting tax
payers has ever aroused such a storm of
protest as has their decision to increase
the tax on water without giving the pub
lie a chance to be heard.
The matter is of particular interest to
the Federation of Citizens Associations
for the reason that several months ago
this body addressed communication to
the Commissioners requesting that hear
lngs be given on all questions affecting
the interests of the District
Taxpayers Ignored.
According to President Clayton the wa
ter rates question is entirely within the
jurisdiction of the Commissioners, and
the fact that they did not wait to give a
hearing increases the offense to the ex-
tent that it would seem to indicate a
lack of consideration on the part of the
Commissioners as to what views taXpay-
ers might hold.
There Is believed to be little doubt that
the citizens associations. separately, will
take up the increase in water rates, while
the board of directors of the Chamber
of Commerce, in all probability, will de-
eide to give the members of the cham
Der chance to express themselves in
regard to it.
Commissioners Rudolph opposed the
proposition to order an increase in water
rates. but was outvOted by Commission
erS Judson and Johnston. The fact that
the president of the board of Commits
sioners did not favor the plan has given
encouragement to the taxpayers, who
have determined to oppose putting the
new rate into operation.
Taxpayers have begun to investigate
as to jtDt how much additional will have
to be paid for water under the new rates
and in some instances. it is said, the in
creased amounts will be large
Increase on Heavy Consumers.
The general Interpretation put on the
new rates by officials of the water de-
partment is that 1t will produce an in
crease Of about 3' Ia per cent i'm cases
Of heavy consumers of water, while small
consumers virtually will be required tc
pay no additional amount
The new rate is that up to 400 cubic
feet of water used per annum the present
minimum rate of $50 shall continue in
effect. but that. beyond that limit, the
rate shall be cents for each additional
100 cubic feet.
Investigations have shown according
to water department officials, that the
average small consumer does not use in
| excess of 100 cubic feet of water a year
and that as result, the new rate will
not increase his water bill.
Consumers that use water in excess of
1850 cubic feet to any extent will feel
the effect of the new rate. 1t was point
ed out today that one of the largest con-
Union terminal station, its annual bill
amounting to about $4,000. The increased
rate will mean that Union station will
have to pay about $4,000 hereafter.