Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1917-07-11
WATER SERVICE
To De ON METER
BASIS ENTIRELY

ZINE aDOllSu1uS OF LnS HdI-Tdle SyS-
tenn in the operation of the city water
works department and the placing of
all patrons on meter basis, was ac
complished at the regular meeting of
the City Council last night. An ordi-
nance was passed under a suspension
of the rules which provided that after
October /, 1917, no f1at-rates shall be
allowed The average cost of INSTALL
ing a meter is SIS, which is borne by
the patron.
Another ordinance passed at last
nights meeting under suspension OF
the rules prohibited the turning in of
false alarms from any fire alarm box
in the city A reward of So is offered
for the arrest and conviction of any
offender against this ordinance.
A resolution of approval and sup
port for the Sumter Light Guards, the
new military organization here. was
passed without a dissenting vote, the
council seconding the action of the
Chamber of Commerce, which has
passed similar resolutions.
The annual report of j. B. Ansley,
superintendent of the city waterworks
and that of ]. F. Monahan, chief of the
fire department, were received last
night. Mr.. Ansley's statement show
ing that the net profit to the city from
the waterworks during the past fiscal
year is something over $4,000. The re-
port of Chief Monahan shows that the
condition of the department at present
is far better than at any time in the
history of the municipality and the
degree of protection given the citizens
of Americus is on a par with cities
much larger than this.
The attention of the aldermen was
called to the fact that many shade
trees throughout the city are either
dead or dying as the result of insect in
Iestation. This matter was placed in
the hands of the street committee for
investigation and report as to remed-
ial measures.
DR.. w. B. McWhorter, county health
commissioner, in a communication to
the council, stated that there are
several pools of stagnant water To-
Gated in sections of the city where
their presence is most undesirable, the
breeding of mosquitoes being facilitat-
e4 to an extreme degree.
Or. McWhorter also pointed out that
there have been 25 cases of typhoid
fever in Americus during the past
three months, % of which were caused
by surface closets being in close proX-
unity to wells. This condition was de-
plored and strict enforcement of the
surface closet ordinance was recon-
mended. The council took official cog
nizance of the communication and or
dered the sanitary Inspector to take
the proper steps to relieve the condi-
tions as outlined.
Alderman Kalmon reported that the
Southeastern Underwriters association
had informed him by letter that as
soon as the auxiliary pump is installed
in the pumping station, as provided for
iii the bill of requirements already
partly fulfilled by the city, the insur-
apce authorities will send an inspector
tC Americas to re-rate property and
put the city on first-class rate basis
with deficiency of 10 per cent. as per
agreement with the insurance compa-
nies, under which the new motor truck
and the fire alarm, system were in
stalled.
Mrs. Lilly Brown, owner of the prop
erty at the corner of Lamar and Lee
streets adjacent to the city water
tower, filed request with the council
that the roof of one of these buildings
be repaired by the city, since the
overflow from the tower had damaged
the roof until it is now in bad condi-
ton The matter was referred to the
water committee with authority to act.
Alderman Bell reported that the
work of lowering the gas and water
mains on Brown street would be COM
menced this morning preparatory to
starting the actual concrete paving
operations within a few days. the nee
essary material having arrived.
The matter of increasing the storage
eapacity at the waterworks and the
Improvement of the artesian wells so
rs to provide a greater water supply,
vas held open until the next meeting.
tderman Mashburn. chairman of the
gater committee, presented report