Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1915-12-01
FIRMS ABUSING
WATER SYSTEM,
IT IS ALLEGED
High Pressure Lines Tapped,
Causing Heavy Loss, Works
Board Hears.

Charges to the effect that several
local manufacturing concerns are
abusing the city,s high-pressure
water system were made by Commis-
sioner Albert II. Biertuempfel at a
conference of the Board of Works last
night. He said reports had been re-
ceived showing that thousands OF
gallons of water were taken from the
system without financial return to the
city. This assertion came about when
the question Of appointing new water
meter inspectors was discussed Mr.,
Biertuempfal said competent inspec-
tors were needed.
IT was brought out at the confer
eflce that the reports OF number OF
the present inspectors did not show
that large concerns were taking water
from the city.
Mr.. Biertuempfei said: In a
number of reports received we
have found that where high pres
sure lines have been installed for fire
protection purposes the pipes have
been tapped and the water is being
used for commercial purposes. The
city is losing thousands of dollars
every year. There is no way to To-
rigid inspection"
The high-pressure water system has
been connected with a number of
large manufacturing plants for fire
protection only. A fiat rate of 800 a
year is paid and the main is not con-
nected with a meter. BY tapping the
pipe inside of the building it would
be possible to secure great volume
of water without paying for 1t.
The names of the manufacturing
concerns who are said to have been
abusing the privilege were not dis
closed, but the water department is
said to be in possession of the facts.
A sweeping investigation will likely be
made.
During the course of his talk Mr..
Biertuempfel said:
In one large plant two eight-inch
mains and one six-inch main were in
stalled for fire protection. When the
inspectors called they were told what
was being done with the water Fol
this reason l believe we should have
the best inspectors available, and thus
save the city great sum of money
every year"
Some Have Meters.
Some of the factories have meters
on their high-pressure lines, but the
majority are unmetered and prefer to
pay a fiat minimum rate per year.
Commissioner Charles p. Gillen said
he would favor q complete investiga-
ton of the alleged abuse of the high
PRESSURE unmetered system
1t was decided to request the civil
Service Commission to schedule an
examination for the position Of meter
readers Mr.. Biertuempfel said that
originally request had been made
for an examination of meter inspec-
tcrs of two grades. but he realized
this would be unfair to the present
employees, because applicants who
Iassed the examination for the higher
salaried places would be receiving
more compensation than some of the
older inspectors. He therefore rec
commended an examination for meter
Inspector without the graded pro-
vision as to salary.
Commissioner Arthur n. Denman
objected, saying he believed a higher
type of employe should be selected,
and that perhaps an examination
simply for the position of meter in
spector of the first grade would not
meet the requirements. He suggest
ed that the matter be deferred until
a .rearrangement of the payroll and
classification of all positions could be
Continued on Page 2. Column IL