The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1928-12-28
WATER COTS
GRANTED Time
TOFIGHT BACK
Allowed Until January 7 to
Prepare Its Defense,
After Barrage.
METHODS ARE ASSAILED
Surveys Made in Other
Cities Are Presented to
Commission.

Officials and attorneys of the In
dianapolis Water company we're
given until Jan. to prepare their
defense against the attack on their
meterization program, launched at a
public bearing before the public
service commission Thursday.
After undergoing a barrage of de-
nunciation from irate water con-
Sumers land a factual attack pre-
pared BY the commission, the COM
pany attorneys asked for three
weeks to prepare a comeback.
Originally they had planned to
offer evidence on their own behalf.
Materials of great weight had been
brought to the house of representa-
tiVeS by company officials. They
consisted of an exhibit of an out
side meter nstallation-some Of
which are said to have cost $50
meters, pipes, valves, elbows, nip
pies and other fittings.
Asks More Time
After listening to the evidence
in the case, it was concluded that
this was not the proper gear for
rebuttal and time out was asked.
After hot morning session, at
which consumers told of inspectors
coming to find drops of water on
the faucets, to declare leakage,
and force meter installation, the
hearing closed with notes on state
and city surveys made by order of
the commission.
Paul Pierce, commission account
ant, presented a map showing that
80 per cent of the consumers north
OF Thirty-eighth street have me-
tiers, SO per cent between Twenty
fifth and Thirty eighth street, SO
per cent between Twenty fifth and
Thirty eighth streets, SO per cent
from Twenty-flfth street to Nor
ris street, and Rural street to White
river, SO per cent in the downtown
district, SO per cent from west of
Fall Greek and White river, south
Of Twenty-flfth street, and SIS per
cent south of Morris street.
There are Sc, 500 consumers, $4,000
meterized and 245o0 on fiat rate.
Would Save 100000
Should the commission order the
remaining meterization to be done
at expense of the company, as it
was shown to be in several of the
larger Indiana cities, it would mean
saving to the property owners Of
minimum of 100000, it was es-
timated.
Plumbers were indicated at the
afternoon session by Harry Wen
ger. chief engineer of the commits
sion, who conducted a survey on
costs throughout the city
He declared that in no case were
the plumbers charges excessive,
but pointed out that the water COM
pany made profit from the sale
of meter boxes for outside install
lationS.
With Is per cent overhead, this
profit was estimated at IS cents
box by Wenger. There have been
5,028 such installations since the
meterization program was launched,
backed by a commission order in
1923.
Average charge to the consumer
for ordinary installation was placed
by Wenger at 81 and box installation
at from $25 to $35. He estimated
the material costs at $3.50 for plain
and $lS.l8 for box jobs.
Install Meters Free
William Edwards, commission
service department chief, testified
that meters are installed free by
the private water companies at
Muncie and Terre Haute. He made
a statewide survey and the results
were offered in evidence.
Citizens testified that their water
had been shut off. although paid in
advance on fiat rate, and meter in
stallation demanded by company Of
flcialS, who told them it was on Or
der of the public service commits
sion.
Some reported that the fiat rate
of $3.50 with meter was greater than
when on flat rate with monthly pay
ments never more than rs cents.
Wenger told the commission that
IS per cent of a survey of some 600
metered houses he had made we're
paying more for water with the me-
ter installed. They are the small
property holders, he declared.