The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-07-23
ASKS CITY TO PAY
Commissioner NewIand Wants
Compensation for Water.
Thinks Every Department
Should Be Self-Sustaining.

Carrying out his theory that every
department ought to be made self
sustaining, Commissioner F. NJ. New
land has included in his budget eSti-
mate an allowance for the payment OF
hydrant rental to the water company,
and will ask that all city departme
using water be compelled to pay for
it like any consumer. 1t is thus.
among other things, that Newland
expects to be able to reduce the price
of water to city consumers.
At present the city is paying the
sum of $4,000 a year for fire ny
drants. But the arrangement was
made under the old agreement with
the water company before it was
purchased by the city. 1t was made
on a basis of $50 a year for 800 by
drants. There are now about 500 ny
drants. Newland believes the city
ought to pay for the water used
through these hydrants. and believes
the sum named. $50 a year each, is a
reasonable amount
He believes also that every depart
ment of the city. including the city
building. where coolies of water is
used, ought to contribute its part to-
ward the cost of the water depart
ment. For example, Newland urges
that it is not fair to the consumers of
water to compel them to pay for the
water used in fighting fires that may
be in property owned by non-resi-
dents. The city pays the fire de-
ought to pay the water rate on wa
ter used.
At present the only income of the
water department is from its collec
tons from users. 1t must secure suf-
ficient revenue to pay for water used
by the fire department. that used in
the city building and other places
where water is used by the city with
out charge. The burden all falls on
users who have to pay for 1t.
1T would increase the taxes to
have the city pay for its water" the
commissioner said. but it would en-
able a cut in the rates to consumers
of nearly one-half. 1t is the only fair
thing to do
A fight is anticipated when the
matter is checked up to the commits
sion, as the application of such a
principle would serve to increase
Some of the commissioners are ex-
pected to oppose the move.
For the present the commissioner
has not figured on a cut in rates far
1t was from profits made by the COM
pany from it's sales to consumers that
the $4,000 necessary to buy and in
stall the big new pump was obtained.
Under the present system it is from
the same profits that extensions to
water mains must be made. If an
extension costs 800, a bond or cash |
deposit of only $40 is required from |
water users on the extension. The |
as whole pays the re-
manning $50. Of course it is made |
back in the course of time from the |
users of the extension. But a man
in North Topeka helps pay for an
extension to South Topeka, and New |
land believes the system is not fair. |
Heretofore the municipal lighting
plant never has paid for the water it
uses. Newland expects to provide for I
such payment in the future. He has |
instructed that the meters be read |
and the charges against the light |
plant be entered as those of other |
consumers. He hopes to be able to /
work out the same system with other |
de partments using water, and final |
ly to give the consumer his water /
just as cheaply as it can be produced. |
without compelling him to pay for
water used by the city somewhere
that does not do him the slightest