The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1916-07-25

hytrants, even Il Il Increased the tax
levy slightly.
| The elaboration Of this point pro-
voked Mayor Robbins IN becoming
personal in an attack on Starr. assert
! ing that the Water Works company
and Starr were trying TO put one over
or the city"
II pay more taxes In Richmond than
you do" answered Starr. "and would
be hit harder than you would be, II
the tax levy were increased. 1t is the
old story with misunderstanding
some one else to do everything for
YOU"
After this tilt the manufacturers evi.
IDENTIFY believed there was no hope.
SO the conference broke up
Alfred Bavis presented compro'
mise which may still solve the prob
lem. It's discussion was blocked by
the peremptory insistance Of the may
or that the city had nothing to offer IN
the way Of compromise.
Bavis laid down these propositions;
First-Find out II the utilities
commission will be willing to re-
verse the finding, providing way
| can be found to make up the need.
ed revenue.
] SecondIy-If the commission
is willing, would change in the
classification fixing the minimum
at 10000 gallons and adding liz.
tie to the rate on all water used in
excess Of that amount be accept
able to the commission?
Under the present ruling the COM
mission proposes to raise $7.14o, the
! deficit, from thirty-one six-inch fire
| sprinkler openings; seven four-inch
openings, and twelve three-inch open
ings. Bavis would charge $50 for a
six-inch opening, $35 for four-inch
opening and $50 for three-inch open
ing, bringing in $2,155 in revenue. In
terest of $4,000, to be expended for
meters under the present ruling would
add $4,000, making a total OF $4,155.
Subtract:ng this from the $7,140 would
leave $2.9S5 to be made up. By in
! creasinG the rates Of concerns using
more than $4,000, this sum could cas-
lily be raised. In this way the manu-
facturers who do not install sprinkler
systems would be compelled to help
in raising the revenue, and the sprink-
Ter users would not be penalized for
their investment.
Revenue is Needed.
Bavis said he believed the Water
Works company was selling water to
the P ennsylvania lines below the g.
cent rate, fixed by the commission as
the cost of producing the utility. Starr
/ insisted that if the $4,000 annual in
come from this source were cut off
! by increased rates for larger consum-
ers, the company would be compelled
to ask for still higher rates.
George Seidel, who does not have
the sprinkler system in his factories,
tried to help iron out the difficulty but
Mayor Robbins interrupted him with
curt reminder that the city would
not compromise.
Bond Doubts Returns.
City Attorney Bond suggested the
use of one meter. He held under the
ruling, the Water Works company
could hope for only about $4,000 in
stead of $1,000 additional revenue
If the Starr Piano company, which
pumps it's own water, and the big
concerns that have sprinklers, adopt
another system of fire protection.
the Water Works company would lose
this revenue. Mayor Robbins blandly
told the representatives Of the Water
Works company that if they wanted
to fight the city next year, the munich
pality would take up the fight gladly.
The manufacturers said they were
willing to pay reasonable rental for
meters on sprinkler systems, and were
anxious for an elaboration Of the plan
of Mr.. Bavis.