The Washington herald., 1916-03-30
WATER COMPANY
DENIES CHARGES
Alexandria Concern Refutes
Complaints Of Users
Against Its Service.
BROUN WILL HEAR CASE
Iwenty-seventh and Thirtieth Degrees
in Masonry Are Conferred on
Large Class Of Candidates.
BROUN WILL HEAR CASE
THE HERALD BUREAU,
R. Il knight & Son,
6l-s3 King Street.

Alexandria, Va, March 29-Charles NJ
Broun, OF Roanoke, has been designated
! by the State Corporation Commission to
/ come to Alexandria, on April 6, for the
purpose of taking the testimony of the
water consumers who complain of the
service furnished by the Alexandria
Water Company.
Through its attorney, Gardner l..
Boothe, who is associated with Col +
L. Smith, the Alexandria Water Conn
pany in Its answer to the petitions filed
by the consumers makes a sweep ping de-
NAL of the charges made. The consum-
ers want better service and cheaper
! rates.
The company cites that its charter was
granted by an act of the legislature in
1850, and denies that the commission has
any power to exercise Jurisdiction and
regulation of the water company. It de-
MES that II has a monopoly of supplying
water to the people of Alexandria and
declares that the same can be and is be-
Ing furnished by other parties.
In reference to the purity of the water
the company states that since June, 1914.
Is has established a chlorine plant for the
purpose OF destroying any bacteria that
might be in the water.
Reference is made to the new .rss.r-
Voir and dam, built at cost of 500, 900,
Is not sufficient supply of water This
new work gives a storage capacity of
60o,O0o0O0 gallons, sufficient to supply the
sity OF Alexandria with one years con-
sumption, and the company says that as
soon as its financial condition will per
NIT, this reservoir will be connected with
the city supply.
The claim in reference to the high Dor
ton OF the city not being supplied with
49,
reservoir Is met by the announcement
That the company has purchased the
high service system OF the Rosemont
DeNelopnent Company, on King street
e,3 ended, from which it proposes to sup
ply the consumers of Rosemont and
George Washington Park as desired.
Ihe company makes a complete denial
or the statement that sufficient water is
not furnished for fire protection, owing
10 the size of the mains. 1t declares that
the mains are of sufficient size but II
there is a lack of water il is caused by
the small openings from the main to
the fire hydrants., The company declares
its intention to construct a new 12-Inoh
main on Madison street from Washing
ton to Fairfax street which Will augment
the supply of water available for FIRE
use. but 1t is unable to do so because
OF the failure of the city to grade Mad
ison street.
The company declares that IL Is I'M
able TO make any, plans, for furnishing
water for the annexed territorysuntfl the
city has designated the streets to be
laid of and the grades established.
denial is made of the right Of the
Corporation Commission to change the
regulation of the company in reference
to the collection of water rents in ad-
vance.
The same position is taken in refer
IN e. -
pany, but a statement is attached show
ing the rates in 375 cities of the United |
states in which it is claimed that the |
rates of the Alexandria Water Company
are as low if not lower than the average |
rate charged by all the private owned |
companies in the United states
In reference to the charge that the
earnings OF the company are beyond a |
fair return upon the investment, the COM
pany answers that while it is true the |
anairs have been managed in an eco
nomical manner and that the company |
Is prosperous, that no dividends were !
declared for many years after its incor- |
poratton. The company has on hand |
cash balance of less than 81, 900 and has |
a floating debt of s225, 900, bearing inter-
est at the rate of per cent
In answer to the charge that the COM |
pany has purchased real estate in ex-
cess Of the amount to which II is en-
titled by the charter, it is stated that the |
only land purchased has been reservoirs.
storage sheds, etc.
The will Of the late Julian r Burke
was admitted to probate today in the |
Circuit Court. The testator leaves his
estate to his wife, Mrs. Esther D. Burke, |
who qualified as executrix
r. f. Lee Camp. Confederate veter-
ans, will hold its monthly meeting Mon
day night, when officers will be elected |
for the year. Arrangements will be made
Tor the annual memorial day exercises.
May "a.
Members of Post F. Travellers Pro-
tective Association have indorsed Daniel
V. Sale, of Lynchburg, for the position
Of national president of the Travellers
Protective Association.
The funeral OF George H. Travers took
place this afternoon from the home ~
his mother, Mrs. Margaret Trayers AZ
b2 North Patrick, street. Services Nyere
conducted by Rev. Edgar Carpenter. rec
tor OF Grace P. E. Church
Miss Katherine Wright delivered an
address today before the local branch
of the Virginia War Relief Association
in the rooms of the Chamber of Com
merce.
The twenty-seventh and thirtieth de-
gress Of Masonry were conferred tonight
on large class of candidates at the
Masonic Temple.