The Caledonian-record. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1920-current, 1922-03-04
WATER METER
IS BIG ISSUE
AT NEWPORT
Question of High School
Is Shaded by Water
Meter Fight

Inc ar at newport Is Iull OF
flying hats today. Some are be-
ing thrown in and others are be-
ing pulled out of the political
ring. Office seekers are multiply
ing and all have friends who are
anxious to have them hold the
reins of city government
At noon Friday it was denied
that c j. Harrison would be
a candidate for the office of city
clerk and treasurer, as opposed to
Judge Rufus ". Spear who has
held that position for four years,
Later advices from authoritative
sources would seem to imply that
he had been persuaded against his
better Judgment and will accept
the office if elected,
AS time goes on the struggle
seems to center around the may
orally contest, as to whether the
water department should adopt
the water meter system.
Twenty-Five meters were in
stalled previous to 1921, 50 in
1921 and 80 in 1922 to conserve
the water supply, which must be
done, it is said, to give more sat
isfactory service to many con-
sumers and make it possible for
the water department to supply
Glen road with water and fire pro-
lection, Mt. Vernon street, al
though supplied with water, has
no fire protection.
This oblige5 the property own
erS to pay yearly to insurance
companies many times more than
a meter would cost. They contend
which is true that the voters are
the owners of the water system
and may regulate their supply q
any time. The present system is
used in all cities.
A letter written by Il Newport
voter, who discusses the water
question, reads as follows:
Il cannot see how any business
man or house owner can support
Mr.. Lindsay on a platform of
cheaper water or water without
any protection against waste be-
cause we all depend on the water
in the reservoir for fire protec-
ton and we would not have any
if there was no way to guard
against waste, there is only one
way to sell anything, and that is
to charge for the amount each
person uses.
"Mr Lindsay says that the city
should not make a cent on the
water sold to our people. We
should at least be in position to
take care of dll repairs and make
eXtentions and pay interest on the
investment, but while he does say
this he docs not object to making
money himself on the water he
uses for his customers.
Here is a copy of one Of his
bills:
THE LINDSAY GARAGE
W. c. Lindsay, Proprietor
Newport City
To hours Washing car and
washing down engine 1.5O
To water Tax 80
SD.UO
"That means they used, at the
rate he is paying for water meas
urcd by meter, 2500 gallons, or
gust little over 80 full barrels OF
water to wash car. Now this is
Mr.. Lindsay's platform, either
give me the water for my garage
at same rate d house pays or elect
me mayor and in one year | will
make the investment in the water
system that absolutely belongs to
the tax payers and is worth to
any private citizen at least $500
600, losing proposition. We will
not only have % pay extra taxes
to support the system but any one
who insures merchandise, his
house or household goods will
have to pay extra insurance be-
cause we will have no fire protec-
ton.
Gust think this over one
minute. You own the water sys-
TEN. DO you want to ruin it be