Evening capital and Maryland gazette., 1914-03-16
OPPOSE FxEMPTING ORDERS.
mr. Donw Explains Water CompsBy' s
Position.
tCommunicated)

+ AAAtAkiAAtEANAtNNN
Mr. Editor-ln reply g. your cdi-
torial under head Of "Bil of Water
Company Taxation" in The Capitai
OF Friday last. you state that "the
! governmental control is not entirely
by the City Council, three of the
officials of the Water COMPANY be.
ng outsiders
To correct the impression that this
statement may give to our citizens,
| would like to explain exactly how
the Water Compny $ controlled and
the reason thereto
The directors of the Water Company
consist of the Mayor (by virtue Of
his ofIicel and two citizens who are
nc { members Of the City Council, whi
were elected by the City Council.
This board Of directors work under
rules and regulations which were sub
mitted to and adopted by the City
COuncil. These rules and regulations
fix the salaries and the methods OF
business of the Water Company.
Does not this make il q part of the
city government in actual fact, II not
in nHme2
contend that the Water Company
is as much a part of the city az the
police or street departments. with
the exception that is in position
to be free from politics The direc-
tors are doing nothing but the de-
tail work OF their department as IL
the Chief of Police, the Street Com
missioner ana the Market Master
They are simply administrative heads
of what is, in fact, Water Depart
ment Of the city.
The reason that these directors
were selected in the above manner
was to prevent the minor employees
from being subjected to political wor-
ries every time q city election took
place As we all believe that the
Supreme Court will not sustain tbs
law which insures the remaining in
power of one party, * was thought
best to have the directors remain iu
Office for a long fixed term 20 that
they. too, might act independently of
partisan politics. 1t has been the
custom and experience backs it up,
for other cities 20 use an independent
commission for the government 90
meters so vital TO all the people. and
ii was thought wise 20 follow their
example with our Water Company.
In regard 70 the matter Of tax ex-
emption on the propt rty of the fra.
ternal orders OF the city, | will state
that opposed such exemption while
49, ~ h.. n,m-.l - ~
Commissioners for the reason that ]
reg ard most Of them as being outside
the clause in the law which exempts
organizations organized for charit-
able purposes. have seen no reason
TO change my view because most Of
them are clubs no more entitled 20
exemption than the Annapoiltan Club.
They are organized for the social
pleasure Of their me mbers aud are not
to be considered with the Water Com
pany on whose economy, administra.
tion and success every man, woman
and child thin reach of its pipes
ia dependent for health and fire pro-
lection.
am sorry that The Capital does not
seem to agree with me on this sub
iect, as ! know IL wishes 20 aid the
city in every possible way, end hope
we can look at the matter without
bias and work together for the good
of our community. II J am wrong 10
my views / am willing to be convinced
and will be only too grad TO receive
information from any Of your CORES
pOndents.
JOHN dep. DOUW.