The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1921-01-08
'CORMACK
ANSWERS CLUB
COMP PLANTS

Mayor Leo Mccormack of East Chi
ago has addressed this following let
ter to the White Eagle Polish Club:
White Eagle Polish club.
$500 Cadar Street.
Indiana Harbor. Ind
cfentIemert: few days ago re-
eeiVed letter signed by your presi-
dent complaining about " hat he calls
using city property for individual
corporation protection" understand
ne meant to object TO the police MAX
ing arrests for violation Of an old city
ordnance assinst turning on service
after it had been shut off BY the
utility company. I am enclosing
copy Of that ordinance Tor your in
formation, and also d copy of the or
der by the Public Service Commission
of Indiana ordering tho installation of
meters by the water company when
he ffltration plant became operative.
Gotb the ordinance and the order for
meters were passed before my time a
mayor, and 7 am in no way response
Ole for them for 7 had nothing what
ever 10 do with them.
refuse to believe that the letter
written by your president fairly rep
rcsents Sle views Of a majority Of the
fair minded, clear thinking members
rs your organization. ] am inclined to
ghln1 that he must have written il
u hlie badly excited and worked up
er what he thought was an injus-
tice If I did not think so I would
not take the time to answer it for
hat letter is certainly unfair, unjust,
and spiteful enough mt TO deserve at
tention from me or anyone else. No
reasonablc, right minded fair man in
possession of his senses would write
such a letter Il he knew what he was
tal6ins about.
believe that difficulties OF this
sind are usually due to d lack Of UNI
outstanding and. therefore I will try
20 explain a few things to you ABOUT
our water problem.
IS you know for years and years
The water furnished by the water COM
peny has been unit not only to drink
but also fol- most any purpose. except
POSSIBLY flushing stools. The people
had stood for this condition for long
time and their patience finally gave
oUt. so while Mr.. Callahan was mayor
# the city. a petition was fled with
The Public Service Commission OF In
Llama at Indiana polls. Indiana. for an
order to compel the water company to
put in a filtration plant for the pur-
pose Of giving Us good water. At the
same time the water company in tho
same case asked for the right to put
in meters because the people were
wasting water. This case was handl-
Cd by the Public Service Commission
and resulted in q order against the
water company requiring them to put
10 the hltratIon plant, and also re-
curing them to put in meters. 50 that
the people would be Obliged TO pay on
tie basis of the amount o; water used
II is the last part Of this order on the
question OF meters that I am sending
20 you along with this letter Even
after this was done. the water COM
pany failed to put in the filtration
plant until after I became mayor, and
{ was during this administration that
he. suit was brought In court to make
them put in the fltrat ton plant accord
ing 20 the way the Public Service
COmmi ssion had ordered and. as you
doubtless know the city won this case
md the judge ordered them TO put in
the plant which has been done at i
cost 70 the company Of about $500. 600.
Having completed the filtration plant
the water company is now authorized
. install meters and to charge accord |
ing to the rate fixed in the order.
copy OF which is enclosed herewith. (
As Z matter Of fact, the water COM /
Psny has no choice in this matter The |
Public Service Commission ordered /
Them to put in the meters and they /
must DO 1t If any members of your /
organization. or any other people III |
the city OF East Chicago. want water (
furnished to them by the water com !
psny. they viii have to be served |
through meters. II they are not will |
ing to have meters put in. they are !
rot entitled to service at all through /
the mains Of the company. The water /
company has the right under the law
TO shut Off service to anybody who /
refuses to let meters be put In, and If !
hey do shut off service and the prop
erty owner then turns the service on
himself, ne is violating the provisions I
OF this old ordinance which am here
with sending to you. and not only
mat, but is guilty Of larceny under
the state law. and could be arrested
for stealing water. This. gentlemen,
is the law. and there is no way for
me TO change it. Whenever someone
swears out all affidavit or complaint
in the court alleging A violation of
the law. and A warrant is issued by
The court and placed in the hands Of
the police. there is nothing left for
the police to do but 10 make arrests
on account of such warrants. They
have no choice whatever in the mat
ter.