Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-07-10
FOUR-YEAR PLAN
FOR WATER LOAN
improvements to City's
Supply System Will Ex-
ceed $12,OOO,OOO
IMPERATIVE WAR NEED
Additional Riverfront Power
Plants and Gigantic Mains
Are Projected

Taking the ground that an adequate
water supply for Philadelphia is an inn
perative wartime need. city fnanciers,
working with officers of business associa-
tions, have under consideration plans
for financing during the next four years
improvements and extensions to cost be-
tween $4,000, 900 and $15,OoO,00o.
The extensions at before the-war
prices would cost only $4,000 900. and it
ts planned to have the burden of water
ponds cover the periods of construction
In the hope that after-the-war prices
may be obtained during the final years
of the work
The plan calls for loan authorizations
OF $3,000,O0O year until the work can
be carried from Torresdale TO League
Island and all points east Of the Schuyl-
XIII River -Four years is the time pc
riod tentatively outlined as necessary to
carry out extensions for which plans
nave long been complete.
The scheme of Director Datesman. of
the Department of Public Works. is to
build additional power plants along the
Delaware River in the northern section
OF the city and to build and gradually
feed directly that section of the city
lying south of Market street and between
the two rivers. Complaints from busi-
ness associations and from individuals
are growing increasingly numerous be-
cause of the inability of the Water Bu-
reau to furnish anything Ike an ade-
auate supply to the southern section.
$500. 900 for Extensions
G n rnn
hopes to make before the close of the
year provides only 100000 for water cH-
tensions. This small sum will be used in
making absolutely needed changes and
will be independent of the program
which 1t is sought to make effective in
1919. A new authorized ton for bond
Issues will likely he sought at the hands
OF the voters in an effort TO provide for
water needs. This may be done at the
general election in November.
Water-service extension plans dove
tail in some degree with the movement
now on foot for the universal metering
system. The two together. it is claimed,
will result in water sufficient for all
future growth of the city for many wears
to come. Chairman Gaffney. of Coun-
ellis special committee on water meteri-
cation. will call his committee together
in a few weeks to take up the various
methods suggested for placing all water
service under meters by 1923.
During the intervening years those
back of the present movement hope to
have completed the extensions and en-
largements of equipment deemed neces-
sary to care for all needs for home and
manufacturing purposes as well as for
the needs of the naval station at League
Island.
Plans for Expenditure
The present proposition is to have the
people authorize an expenditure Of a
possible $15.OO0,O0O or, If the lack OF
borrowing power should prevent. a
smaller authorize ton, to be increased in
the closing years of the work. Present
estimates are toS the effect that $4,000
900 worth of work can be done in each
twelve months and that the total i'm
provement can be completed in 1928.
Revenues from meteriZation and the
increased sale of water will, in the opin-
ion of those agitatmg the move, more
than provide interest and sinking fund
payments for any money that is finally
invested Present revenues from the
Bureau of Water are well in excess of
$5,OOO,OOO and 81 900 900 of this amount
is used as an offset on the 100000, 900
bonds now outstanding. A similar
amount of water improvement bonds
have been fully paid and the present
plant stands on the city books at a
valuation of 6s,000,000
In the uear future movement will be
started to have the Government agree
10 grant priority material orders for
waterworks improvements in all cities
and towns where Government work is
underway and where improvements are
of vital Importance to communities of
war workers. Philadelphia most likely
will lead in this movement and little
doubt is expressed as to the final deci-
aion