Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-09-06
BAMBOOzLING THE PUBLIC

THE people of Philadelphia are not OPP
i posed to getting their water supply
through meters. Economical housewives,
on the contrary. object to situation
which prevents the practice Of economy.
II does them no good to be careful, for
they pay the same amount whether they
are careful or wasteful The rates do not
take into consideration the quantity of
water used; they are based on the
diameter of the pipe and the number OF
faucets thereto attached. It is as IL
bakers should charge 80 much year to
supply a family with bread, the size of
the house lived in being the criterion of
price.
Opposed to this system Of water dlstri-
button. which promotes and encourages
extravaganza, is the gas service. The gas
company does not supply gas at so much
per light per year to a private consumer.
1t would go bankrupt II 1t did, or else its
rates would be extremely high and the
economical persons in the community
would pay for the extravaganza Of the
prodigal. The gas company requires
the user to pay for what he uses, which
is the only proper method of conducting
business. If by general acquiescerce the
custom has arisen of considering water
as distinct and different frc ii other COM
modities, to be sold urier peculiar and
pauperizing condition., the time has come
when the truth must be realized and
water be sc'd. as any other commodity
is sold. according to its value.
This would be true in any clrcum.
stances, but the necessity for the change
to business principles in the sale of water
q rendered doubly acute In Philadelphia
on account of the inadequacy Of the sup
ply. The point has been reached when It
is no longer a question of the desirability
OF changing to meters, but where the use
of meters is an absolute necessity unless
citizens are to suffer from water famine.
4AoAo iluo bScll Gllbubi
and avoidance of action in the remedying
of grave abuses in Philadelphia to ruin
a less virile community. The authorities
have played for years with the gas situa-
ton. They have been afraid to do any
thing, assuming that action might induce
unpopularity. So, too. the water ques-
ton has been trified with. Avoidance of
the present situation should have been
sought long ago. Instead. matters have
been permitted TO run along until the
crisis Is upon us.
There are two remedial measures
which Councils should consider at once.
The first, TO conserve the supply and
translate an inadequaoy into an adequacy,
is the compulsory installation Of meters
in such places as the Water Bureau con-
siders necessary on account of notoriously
of new meter rates which will enable the
city to secure for its water at least the
cost OF production. The present rate of
four cents the thousand gallons is far be-
low cost and actually encourages ex.
travagance.
It is an imposition, positively a mean
imposition. on the masses OF the people
to wheedle them into believing that the
meter system would be injurious to their
interests. That failaoy has been given
wide circulation, we do not know why,
although there is about It the smell OF
politics. Strict business methods are al
ways the cheapest methods in the end.
and they invariably mean better service.
1t is the rankest folly to argue that waste
and extravaganza in the use of water
benefit the poor or ease the burden for
the small houseowner. They inevitably
do Just the opposite.
Tho remedial legislation proposed is
urgently needed. and Councils should act
on It in the immediate future.