The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1913-08-30
HUDSON I DEFENDS ::
OLD WATER RATES
Continued From Page 1.

J.
felt that the integrity Of the former
commissioners had been assailed, and
he lost no time in making reply.
What does Mr.. Hudson say in answer
to Mr.. Merritt, whose charge II true
would present a serious situation in
our water and gas affairs? He de-
clares that Mr.. Merritt's figures are
grossly erroneous and misleading"
Mr.. Hudson backs this declaration
with the assertion that 70 per cent Of
all water consumers Of the city Of
Duluth, which includes all small con-
sumers, do not pay an amount equal
ing one-third of the water rates of
the municipal water and light depart
ment. Is not this a bold answer, and
1t is from one who knows.
Goes Merritt One Better.
~ Mr.. Hudson goes Mr.. Merritt one
better and again states that over so
per cent Of all consumers of water
pay less than s1.0o per month each.
That is another bold answer to the
assault upon the former commission
ers made by Mr.. Merritt.
But this is the most startling of all
from Mr.. Hudson. the man who
knows: "One-third of all the water
consumers of Duluth paying the
smallest sums, pay less than one
ninth of the receipts of the depart
ment. Now what becomes of Com
missioner Merritts charge that the
small consumers of water have been
carrying the heaviest portion Of the
load in the department? He has not
made reply to Mr.. Hudson; the
chances are he has discovered his err
ror, and therefor remains silent.
The commissioner should take a
lesson from this experience, and be-
fore he goes further into the matter
Of changing water rates he should con-
suit with those men who have had the
experience, which he has not had, of
analyzing cost, expense and service in
the management of our water and
light department.
Hudson Has Pity.
Mr.. Hudson was most respectful in
his answer to the commissioner Of
public utilities. He probably recog--
nized that Mr.. Merritt was the un-
whiting instrument Of the citys foes
and therefore answered more in pity
: than with severity. If Mr.. Merritt
Is wise he will seek new advisers
when determining upon water and
light policies. And if he wants to
tSave himself from a lot of future
trouble he will invite his fellow COM
nlissioners to sit with him from time
to time as a water and light board.
and thus carry out the spirit of the
city charter which he and they have
consistently violated since the COM
mission form Of government was es-
tablished in this city.
In discussing the lower rates paid
by large consumers Of water Mr..
Hudson further states:
1T must be remembered that the
large consumers Of water outside of
the exclusive users of water for pow
: 81, public swimming pools, sprinkling
and public skating ponds, pay for the
first 5000 cubic feet of water used by
them each month at the rate of TN
cents, per 100 cubic feet, and that the
average householders in the city of
Duluth does not use for domestic pur-
poses more than 400 or 500 cubic
feet Of water. each month. It there
fore-stakes good many payments
from the average householder to equal
the amount paid each month by
consumer using s,oOOcubic feet of
water per month.
Sure of His Ground.
<-< I, perhaps, should say that I know
the records of the water and light
department will bear out my state
ments. I made it my business when a