Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-08-29
Philadelphia, Tuesday. Angus, 20. 1916.
LET THE WATER PLANT
FINANCE ITSELF

FlNANCE ITSELF
THE water situation in Philadelphia is
- going to be settled, and it is going to
be settled right. We are emphatic on
that point because there are already
rumors afloat to the effect that the water.
works ought to be leased to a private
corporation, on the theory that this
great public utility cannot properly be
conducted by the city
Certain obvious improvements have
been so wantonly neglected by Councils
that citizens may be pardoned If they
suspect some Interior purpose on the part
of shrewd politicians. whose mouths
have been known to water before this at
the prospect of cutting a big melon by
the simple expedient of surrenderlng to
private interests a great municipal asset.
But If any gentlemen have any plan in
view for the surrender Of the water
works they may as we'll forget it, There
is not going to be any surrender, but
there Is going TO be a big reform in the
administration and management of the
utility in accordance with modern and
scientific methods, and 1t is going to be
demonstrated to the people of Philadel-
phia that they have an asset of enormous
value instead of a liability on their hands.
WE SAY that Councils has been de-
linquent. Let us take one case in
point. The U. G. I. will not connect its
gas mains to a residence unless 1t knows
that the fixtures therein are up to the
standard. and the U. C. I. has a universal
meter system. The waterworks has no
general meter system to prevent waste.
yet 1t is without authority to set certain
requirements for the quality of plumb
ing fixtures. This in itself means an
enormous annual waste, yet Councils has
done nothing whatever beyond, after great
de.ay setting certain requirements for
service pipes; and the Water Bureau has
never been able TO get authorization to
repair even these service pipes. Thousands
OF complaints are received apnuaIIv or
water in cellars, etc, and in many cases
the bureau would willingly and eco.
nomically make repairs, but has no au.
fhority SO to do. Red tape holds sway
while the people pay.
Again, despite the fact that the bureau
has recommended that It be aIIoved n
compel the use OF meters in establish.
ments where waste is notorious, II has
been unable to get the requisite authority
from Councils, although by such a sim.
pie authorization it would be possible
annually to save thousands and thou.
sands of gallons OF water.
1t might almost be suspected. we repeat
that impedimenta We're being kept in the |
way OF efficiency in the Water Bureau.
TiHIs idea. so subtly and insidiously |
nurtured, that the people must be |
taxed large sums, in the form of bond
issues. to enlarge the water supply. is
utterly untenable. The water plant Is.
in fact. a great Understanding and
money-making enterprise In spite of han.
dieaps. the bureau cut the cost of opera.
ton and maintenance, during the Blank
snburg Administration, from S2,271, ,65s in
1912 to S1,s26,754 in 1914, and in the same
period the receipts rose from S4,947. $40
to S5,191,si5. BY 1914 the per capita
consumption through reduction in waste
had been reduced from 1913 gallons to 17s
gallons. or more than - per cent.
The apparent gross profit Of the plant
In 1914 amounted to SS,s64, ,5s1, or more
than enough to pay the interest on all
the bonded Indebtedness and leave an
actual net profit for the city.
1t is manifestly absurd in these circum-
stances that the debt for the water plant
should be charged against the city's Dor.
rowing capacity. 1t is a seIf-sustainins
enterprise, paying its own way and amply
able 70 finance itself for all necessary
and advisable improvements
We are pleased TO notice that the Eve
ming Bulletin is supporting the segrega-
ton Of the water finances as proposed in
The EVENING LEDoER last week. We ex.
peet the entire press OF the city shortly
e b indorsins ana ravorins the idsa.
ETHIE water works should be under con.
: tEol q board o. water commissioners.
zhes should b, empowered. without inter
|..sas< p cosrei.s, 70 n,aks Al necessary