Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1914-03-12
HIGH J|NKS' WHEN
WATER CO. TRIES
[Continued from First Pagel

again turns the water off the cement
will have to be broken first and for
this offenSe Mr. Glenn threatens ar
rests. The water was turned off at
Mr.. Scientists s home while he was away
this morning. When he returned
shortly before noon he went to q lit
tie blacksmith shop which he has in
the rear of his home, forged q key to
fit into the water box and before
O'Clock water was again flowing from
the pipes in his home.
Turn OF Supply
At the home of George Brinton, on
Bowman avenue, Mrs. Brinton ordered
the men away when they appeared but
they ignored her Demands and turn
ed off the supply. At several other
homes throughout the town the water
company employees succeeded in get
ting the water turned off but Super
intendent Saunder refused to say how
many places are without water He
says that heavy fines will result In
the turning on of supplies where the
water was turned off. Regarding the
digging up of streets, permission for
which has been refused by the
borough authorities, Mr.. Saunders said
he would proceed, probably this after
noon to dig up some of the streets
where it was impossible to get at the
boxes He says he does not fear ar
rest as he Is working under instruc-
tions from his company and the COM
pany Is working on the advice of coun-
sci In an interview this morning he
said that he wished the residents of
the town would pay the rates the COM
pany asks as he has no desire to be
compelled to shut off the water
The Controversy
,fra L. Il
mand of the water company for a
30-cent rate, the townspeople claiming
that when the water company was
permitted to enter the borough 1t
guaranteed the residents q perpetual
10-cent rate. The water company con-
tends that the erection of a. filter
plant and other improvements make a
30-cent rate necessary.
Notices sent to the residents by the
company stated that bills must be paid
at the companys 30-cent rate and that
If new rate should be fixed by the
Public Service Commission or by the
courts the difference between the
30-cent rate and the new rate would
be refunded to the property owners.
Residents of town are all willing to
pay at the old 10-cent rate, but the
great majority of them object to the
higher rate. Some of them say they
are willing to give the company notes
to the effect that If u higher rate
should be authorized by the Public
Service Commission or the courts they
would pay the difference. The COM
pany will not accept anything Of that
kind, MIR. Saunders told a Telegraph
reporter this morning. 1t is under
stood that in almost all of the places
where the supply has been cut oft the
occupants of the houses offered to pay
the 10-cent rate, but the money was
refused.
Threats of arrest ON charges of tres
pass fail to halt Mr.. Saunders in his
work. Yesterday many persons said
that If the water valve boxes, which
are on private property were tam
pered with. they would have. the work.
men arrested. This morning there was
also some talk along that line, but
nothing was done.
Residents of the town are growing
indignant over what they term "out-
rageous treatment" at the hands of the
water company and everybody is anx-
iorsly awaiting the council meeting
scheduled for tonight to see what
action the councifmen will take. The
citizens committee. created some time
ago, 1t Is said, will not do much In the
present fight, believing the affair is
now up to the borough council to
settle.
Women in the town are preparing
to attend the session this evening in |
large numbers to be advised as to |
what they shall do when attempts are
made to cut off their water supply. |
According to the statements of some |
the water company employees, except |
in one or two cases. went to the homes |
of residents when they knew the men |
were away
Highway Commissioner Wolfe said |
again to-day that he would not issue |
permits allowing the company to dig |
up the streets.