Newark leader. ([Newark, Ohio]) 1917-1946, 1918-08-16
LET NO GUILTY MAN ESCAPE
Startling RumOrs Regarding Develop
ments in Water Works

Rumors Of a sensational nature re-
garding recent developments in the
water works situation are freely cir
culating in the city. 1t is alleged that
a certain large manufacturing plant
has been detected, beyond a question
of a doubt, in using large quantities
of water which does not pass through
meter and for which no payment is
made and that this state of affairs
has existed for several years. 1t is
also claimed that several othef large
consumers of water are under Sus-
picion of using a much larger guam,
tity than that for which they pay.
Since the flat rate system has been
abolished and all consumers placed
on the meter plan the books of the de-
>partment showed that the pumps had
been delivering approximately four
million gallons daily, while but about
one million gallons were consumed
and paid for during that period. The
question arose, what became of this
rs per cent leakage. Local sleuths,
endowed with the Sherlock Holmes
instinct, spent many sleepless hours
in the vain endeavor to unravel this
knotty problem without success.
The recent apparently unnecessary
series of accidents and botchy repair
work at the pumping station, which
Inconvenience every water consumer
and left the city utterly without fire
protection for ten days OF two weeks,
was deemed by the powers that be Of
sufficient importance to demand out
side examination and advice, and ac
cordingly consulting engineers and
experts were employed to locate, if
possible, the cause Of the trouble
which local talent had failed to
fathom. 1t is alleged that the exam
ination and investigation which fol-
lowed developed the fact that a fire
plug near one of our largest manu-
featuring establishments had been
tapped and that large pipe led from
thence directly to the aforesaid plant.
The maps and blue prints of the water
system show no such water main,
neither does any record of the con-
nection appear upon the books of the
water department. 1t is said that
photograph was taken showing the
tapping and connection at the fire
hydrant, this proving beyond a ques
tion of doubt that this unlawful act
had been committed.
1t is advocated by some of those in
authority that the rates paid for
water by private consumers be ad
vanced to an extent sufficient to place
the plant on a money-making basis.
This proposition is not received with
JOY by many Of the hard working,
moderately paid water consumers Of
the city, who rightfully believe that
a revenue sufficient to render it self
sustaining is all that is necessary in
a municipal institution. The poor
man who, by hard work and strict
economy, has accumulated an amount
sufficient to purchase his humble
home, has become accustomed to pay
ing taxes on 100 per cent or greater
valuation of his property while his
wealthy neighbor pays proportionate-
ly much less, but he does register an
emphatic protest against paying for
water used by powerful corporations.
1t is asserted that the value of the
water consumed by the establishment
referred to, during the years that
have elapsed since the unlawful tap
was made, totals the modest sum of
$4,000, and that steps are under way
to force payment for that amount.
1t is further alleged that certain in
fuential and wealthy citizens have
come to the rescue Of the accused
and are endeavoring to have the mat
ter quietly hushed up and compro-
missed.
The city solicitor and members of
the council, we are informed, are de-
termined to push this matter and
force payment for the full amount
due. They may rest assured that ii