Wheeling majority. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1907-192?, 1914-05-28

"A partial investigation would In
dictate that the domestic consumers
are paying a heavy proportionate
share of the cost, and that large con-
sumers are paying too little; IN TACT,
are receiving service for less than cost
to the city:
1T has been stated that the per
capita consumption OF water IN Wneel-
ing is too large, and such is undoubt-
eddy the case, but it is equally true
that loss quantity OF water pumped
and used would not materially de-
crease the cost Of pumping or over
head charges, SO it seems to your COM
mittee that the questio nresolves IT.
self into one of charging enough for
the water to equal cost and overhead,
distributing the burden on the con-
sumers in proportion to the service
received.
"A comparison Of the gross receipts
from the water plant LOT The last nscal
year with 1907, for instance, shows
that, Notwithstanding The addition OF
the new pumping. station WIN the con-
seQuent increase of The quantity OF
water pumped and used, together with
the large number OF consumers due to
the natural increase in population, the
revenues OF the City from this source
show little or no increase, being prac-
tically at a standstill. 1t is also true
that there has been no change in water
rates since 1882, or about 81 years.
1T has been threatened by some
large consumers of water that II the
rates are advanced, they will put in
their own private pumping stations,
thus doing away with the city water,
excepting the connections they might
maintain for their own convenience or
safety, in case Of emergency,
You committee takes the view that
the water supply should be considered
| in the same light and relation to the
citizens and industries as police and
fire protection and general comfort and
| safety of the residents, and should be
treated accordingly. Consequently,
concerns with their own private water
plants who still might wish to use the
city water at their discretion, should
be charged sum for the water con-
nections proportionate to the water
they use from their own plants, on the
principle that the City lis operating
and maintaining water plant at heavy
expense, to be drawn on when neces-
sity arises, and, therefore, should be
compensated.
Your committee recommends a
complete survey of the water system,
with a view to adjusting rates along
equitable lines, the revenue SO pro-
duced to equal the cost of pumping,
including interest, depreciation, sink
| ing fund and prOportiOnate cost OF the
City administration.
Building Permit Fees.
I'VE recommend that the office Of
Building Inspector be made self-sus-
tanning and that q graduated schedule
of charges for building permits be fix
ed to produce about $4,000 per year.
"This Office is setf-sustaining in
other cities.
Traction, Light and Telephone Poles.
"Your committee investigated the
advisability of taxing Traction, Elec-
trio Light, Telegraph and Telephone
Poles, as well as Street Cars, but
owing to the wording Of the fran
1chises, and the construction put on
them by the City Solicitor, the idea
was abandoned. We do not regard the
subject as exhausted, however, and
recommend that the right Of the city
to, levy such a tax be tested In court
as soon as possible.
Outside Vaults.
There are at present, In the City
limits, 1900 outside vaults, many of
them a constant menace to health and
sanitation We believe they should be
taxed where sewer connections are
available, to the number of 700, at a
rate of SOC per month, or Sc per year,
approximately $4,000 annually. Should
this plan force inside closets, the city
would be gamer in water revenue to
the extent of at least an equal sum.
License Tax
"Your committee recommend that
the City license tax for all privileges
not now up to the amount charged by
the State be increased to equal the
State charge, and which would pro-
duce about 50 900 of revenue. This re-
fers also to tax on insurance premiums
of insurance companies from one-half
to one per cent.
Area Ways, Signs, Bill Boards, etc.
1--WE recommend an annual rental
charge on all encroachments on City
property in proportion to the value re-
ceived by the encroaching property
owner. This would apply to steps,
oevr-hanging signs, area ways, build
ing encroachments on side walks, ad-
vertising encumbrances on side walks,
private bridges overflleys and streets.
etc.
I'VE believe the City could derive q
revenue of at leastss$5,OO0 per year
from this source, for the use of City
property, so proportional as not to
unduly burden the beneficiaries.
Vehicle Tax
"The charter provides for the Inn
position Of vehicle tax, which could
be taken advantage Of to provide some
revenue, In return for the wear and
tear on streets; at present only vehi-
cles used for hire being taxd.
I'VE recommend an ordinance SINH
lar to that in force in Pittsburgh, and
which should net about $500 per year.
This would assist n paying the salary