The Calumet news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 1907-1938, 1913-01-20

Meters Brought About Saving in
Ishpeming Says Newett

Concerning the discussion in Han
cock on the advantages ANA disadvan-
tages of the water meter system. Edl-
tor NeWett Of the Ishpeming Iron ore
presents the following interesting
comment:
we had that water meter excite
ment in Ishpeming years ago. There
were many people who found il cheap
er To- let water run from an open
faucet all winter than TO protect the
water pipes. and besides it saved
The effort of turning the fau-
Get on ANA off. We were so busy
We didn't have time for that There
were many people who permitted the
lawn and garden sprinkler to run all
day. Many let them run all day on
rainy days, too. And if they were
mildly reproVed for this then immedi-
ately set about organizing "A Progress
sive party To kill off the obiector at
the next election. 1t was sure OF a
recall People fined up the wash
bowls until the water ran over the
waste vent, and they let il run We
had chain of lakes. spring fed, pro
viding the best water on earth to this
town, but the water continued to so
down steadily, and even I'm the wet
seasons il continued going until the
water board became alarmed fearing
the supply would soon he Inadequate
{" the demand. Then We commenced
taking of introducing water metera.
Bang All the politicians got busy
Immediately Meetings expressing in
dignation at the proposition were held.
the papers reeked with the voices of
the people, the atmosphere was -
agitated that there was an unusual
precipitation of moisture that partly
built up the superannuated lakes. Oh.
It was awful Why. they even
preached about it from the pulpits,
and ii was the all-absorbing topic of
conversation.
"But the board of public works
Needless of the demands for fair play
AID for giving man half u chance
and for Justice, free speech and equal
rights, ordered several hundred water
meters and placed them on the sup
ply lines and in the homes of the peo-
pie Actually. in the face of all that
cutlery put them on, and in, ana set
the meter hands i'm motion. Before
;his they had PLAYED a big 20-inch
meter ON the main coming from the
lake outlet and for many days had
kept account of the water discharged
10 the city.
And what happened? Wen sir, we
actually have To confess that We Sc
cured our supply of water cheaper
than under the old Hat rate which
old rate was not a high one. and that
in "a few months those who did no,
have n meter were clamoring for one.
until now we are an metered and
happy as CLAIMS. The minimum rate.
q very small one and much below the
Fat rate, is very often not exceeded
People find they have enough water
for washing clothes. themselves, the
dishes the automobile, and supplying
the lawn and garden and they do not
spare ii where needed. There are no
longer any open butts running all year
round. and on wet days the yard
sprinkler is taking a holiday.
You couldn't get the people to 81
back to the old system. because the
new is cheaper. and every man is
treated alike. You know there's some
thing in that. Under the old plan
sey..t
with some fellow who used a lot Of
water because he had a big place.
We used to squirt water by the hour
ON top of the hen house just to show
him we could enjoy ourselves that
way, too.
And do YOU know that big meter
On the main supply line from the lake
doesn't show more than half the wa
ter used as under the old PLAN and
we have now many more users ana
let us tell you, also. that the lakes
commenced filling up right away after
the meters were introduced and
are now, in mid winter running over
their tops
You Hancock fellows should come
here and get the figures from the
board Of public works and talk with
airy user of water.
THE meters are the thing. They
make no distinction between the rich
and the poor. the grave or the gay.
The big or the little You pay for
what YOU get and YOU will save money
over the old play i'm addition To
your water supply should
il he now inefficient, or threatened.