Omaha daily bee., 1912-07-01
S7OCXYARDS HIT BY RATE
Water Board Abolishes Four and a
Half Cent Charge.
CITY TO TAKE PLANT TODAY
No Reduction Made for Private Com
sumers Until Board In Sure
the Plant ia Paying
Proposition.

South Omaha stock yards and packing
houses were notified BY resolution
adopted by the water board yesterday
Afternoon that the plant will not fur
|nish them water at the old rate Of ~
lcents per 1000 gallons after the city
takes over the water plant tomorrow.
Managers Of the stock yards and pack
ing houses were invited to conference
with the board to discuss the proposed
rate increase.
Members Of the board expect to in
crease the annual water receipts by at
least 100000 by the increase. Water
Commissioner Howell says the increase
will be only fair. as Omaha customers
are paying 35 cents per 1000 gallons
No reduction In the price of water sold
to private consumers will be n1sde until
the board Is assured that THE plant is on
la paying basis. Expenses Of the plant
amount to $1,000 per day. The yearly
fixed charges are $4,000 and the cost
Of maintenance averages $25o.o0o, max
ing total annual cost of $6s5.00o
stock Yards Use Most Water.
Water rentals and other receipts
amount to $7s5,o0o, The South Omaha
stock yards and packing houses use one
third of the water pumped. They pay
100000 for this, leaving other custom
ers to pay the remaining sssb,ooo.
A resolution was adopted prohibiting
sprinkling OF lawns In Omaha, South
Omaha, Florence and Dundee, except be-
tween the hours of 9 and o'clock in
the morning. John L. Webster. the
boards attorney, said he. understands
that 1t isn't we'll To sprinkle lawns in
the morning. as the grass is often sun
burnt" but the order was necessary.
Water Commissioner Howell promises
relief only when the Florence main Is
constructed. all meters are installed. and
the autumn is here. The board will ad-
vertise for meters and the bids will be
Opened Wednesday. About $4,000 will
Ibe required. Water Commissioner
Howell's election was formally made and
his salary fixed al $4,000 year.
Take Plant Tomorrow.
At $50 o'clock this morning the
water plant formally will be transferred
to the city. The water board will meet
at the company offices at Q o'clock ard
will 90 to Judge Munser's court where
the Judgment will be satisfied. From
the court the board and its attorney
will proceed to the United States Ma
tional bank. where the checks for the
plant will be given to the representatives
Of the eastern bonding companies.
AS soon as the formalities Of the
transfer are finished members of the
water board will install themselves In
the offices OF the company in The Bee
building. Stockton Heth and General
Manager Fairfield are the only officials
Of the company who will quit work
Monday.
w. J. Barber. purchasing agent for
the water company. and p. A. Edquist
civil engineer. will be named apprais-
ers to value the stock on hand. Few
changes In the appraisement now in
the hands of she board are expected
The work.of the. appraisers will be eom.
ipieted within the week. 81 = s1s.is I'D
Flat rate rentals paid. the water com
Ipany for. tina period beginning July
will be turned over to the city. Meters
will be read to July ! and money foI
water given up to that date will be re.
ltained by the company. whose employees
Twill read them.