The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1911-06-30

Believing that the citizens Of Chick
asha are interested in the city's wei
fare and anxious to know the truth
relative to the receipts and expendi-
lures Of tho water department and
feeling that they are especially in
terested in some proposed changes
in the system, e. A. Peytcn, superin-
tendent of the Chickasha water de-
partment submits the following state
ment:
Editor Daily Express:
There has been so much agitation
and discussion, unjust and otherwise,
with reference TO the affairs Of the
water department Of this city that the
writer has concluded to make state
ment, and will thank you for space in
your valued paper tnat the informa-
tion may be given to the public.
AS the meter question has caused
most, if not all of the contention, the
subject Of meterage will receive first
consideration That the meter system
is the only equitable method by which
water may be measured and charg
ed to the consumer has been proven
ia every city where 1t has been tried.
and the results obtained in this city
confirm the assertion AS to the pay
ment Of the meter" there is this to
be said in our own case. There is no
way possible for both the consumer
and the property owner to escape the
payment If the city is forced to
stand the expense then the water rate
will have to be advanced, tax levy
made, or an issue Of bonds Of suffi-
cient amount to meet the installation.
fThe expense must be borne by either
the consumers of water or the tax
lpayer, and it certainly does not stem
fair to place the burden on the tax
iipayer, particularly those having prop
erty not accessible to the water mains.
Furthermore, the records show that
| fully 90 per cent OF the metered con-
sumers for the past year have mater
Tally decreased their bills for water I'M
lder the year previous when they were
on flat schedule, some to the extent
of two and three times the cost OF the
meter. Considering then that one
hair Of the meters INSTALLED have been
paid for. that the ordinance covering
1.-THE installation of matters has been in
force ever since the department has
been in operation that the manner Of
payment has been SO arranged as to
relieve any possible hardship to the
consumer. VII a change in policy be
beneficial? It must also be understood
lthat in the event that a change Is
made that those having paid for met
ers will have to DO reimbursed before
meters can be purchased for free in
stallaticu
Now a word as to the water rate. Il
has been contended that our rate is en-
tirely too high and we are cited to
other cities having lower rates. We
happen to haze most of the rates Of
other cities en- file and our rate com
pares very favorabIy, and is lower
more often than higher Part Of the
cities which are referred to as having
cheaper rate are entirely out Of
water at this time and never have
nroduced sufficient revenue to meet
onerating expenses. As a matter OF
fact. the water rate should be made
according to local conditions which
differ considerably between one city
and another. and the rate 81 one has
no relation to the other As fufi Ter
evidence that our rate is not toc nigh
we will submit the figures on the
years business. which. no doubt will
be a surprise to those having the i'm
preston that the revenue OF the wat
er department is being used for the
benefit Of other departments The to-
tai cash receipts from all sources for
the year ending March 81 1911,
amounted to s2l.8ee17 Of which ST.
O75.0o was profit above operating ex-
penses. Adding to this amount the
sum of s9.500.00 (which is estimated
to cover the rent on 300 fire hydrants,
water furnished 10 school houses, city
hall. fire stations. flushing storm
and sanitary sewers. for which service
the department receives no payl, we
have grand total OF $i6.575-oo- As
our interest and sinking fund levy on
-l.- - L. nm ......l...ln II.