Evening journal., 1913-11-11
CITIZENS RAP
WATER RATES
and TROLLEYS
Ninth Ward Residents Also
Discuss Other Subjects
at Monthly Meeting
WASHINGTON STREET
BRIDGE DISCUSSED

and regulations oe the Water Depart
mcnt, which are to 80 into effect the
first of the year, were scored by mem
bers Of the Ninth Ward Civic Associa-
tion in regular meeting last night.
Samuel y. Burris, member OF the
New Castle County Levy Court, who was
TO be present at the mecfing. was un-
layoidably detained and in his absence
the water rates for 1914, street car SER
vice, Washington street bridge and the
markets were among the topics that
ifound special favor for what might be
called q warm discussion.
! II was declared by several of the
members last night that any change in
/ the present water rates will be unfair
aud oppressive aud that some action
should De- taken at once. Gentle hints
were also given 10 the members Of the
Board Of Water Commissioners that the
association has 7S votes which can be
registered against their action at some
future dato.
G. W. T. Miller brought up the
water tax matter when he said that
the water commissioners are going TO
charge the citizens Of the city very
much like tho electric light company
/ is doing. The new rates, he said, will
be so much per thousand gallons and
also a meter rent which will make the
rates much higher than they are now.
/ He said that Mayor Howell. real es-
| tate men and other prominent citizens
| had taken a stand against the rates
/ but the water commissioners had act
cd regardless Of them. He said that
the new rates will result Ia manufac-
turing concerns getting their water
cheaper and the householder paying
more.
Robert Adair said he understood
that the rates were really to be cheap
or ON the meter system but not so un-
der the fixture system but that the
matter should be investigated at once
aud II necessary special meeting
shonld be called to take action in the
matter
William T. Morris said that several
years ago the Water Department had
a surplus of 100000 which was trans
ferred to the city and VAS spent with
nothing TO show for II, except per-
haps bumpy boulevard and few
other things of the same class. He said
the association has 72 votes that could
enter<a protest against the rates.
MIR. Miller was asked what effect
the Mayors stand against the rates
had with the Water commissioners.
Mr.. Miller replied that the Mayor WAS
like the rest of US. What can
be cured" he said. must be endured.
We arc the most complacent set OF
peopie In the world" The matter
All. -oF1~r.I 20 fhc roufu1iffCf
on stastistics which will call a spa-
cial meeting, II necessary
Mir. Morris declared that he under
stood that the Washington street
bridge was unsafe, and that nearly
5000 had been given 20 an engineer
TO discover it's condition, and that
when he recommended that the bridge
ibe painted. the members of the Levy
Court responded with a coat of paint.
Other members of the association
lwcre of the opinion that il tho bridge
was really unsafe. that something
should he done Immediately. The
matter was referred to the statistics
committee 10 get the report Of the
lengineer. engaged by Levy Court and
20 determine. if possible, the condi-
tion Of the bridge.
Street car No. %, an ancient vehicle
without springs, was given an ante
lmortem service Members declared
that the car had no springs and hat
even been guilty OF barking when i
turns 2 curve.
Trolley ears may come and trollc,
csrs lray 60. but No. 25 goes on for
ever was the sense of thc services II
connection with No - last night. 1h
subject was finally referred TO the trans
portation committee 10 take up with th
traction company with Instructions &
request that the car he taken on Oh
line. If this can not be done a reQues
win hc made that The car be provide
with springs
The farmers markets were also brieh
discussed. and it was finally decided tina
/. under Judge Churchman'S decision th
markets were under control of th
Street and Sewer Department.
During tho meeting a gentleman wh
introduced himself as Shannon, of N
Second ward " declared that the associ9
tion was one of the hnest IN the>cit,
and was doing a great and good worl
Mr. shannon said he wished the Secon
ward had one like H. end the member
volunteered 20 help him form one.
In the absence of James 4. Strsn,
president of the association, and G.. 7
Csrretson, Nice-president, the Rev. r. I
jackson presided.