The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1928-12-26
100000 may
Be Saved BY
Water USERS
State Commission to Open
Hearing Thursday on
Meter Program.
CONSUMERS TO TESTIFY
Mass of Evidence Will Be
Presented Against Com
pany Plan.

Twenty-Five thousand clients of
the Indianapolis Water Company
will be saved a minimum of $780,
600 should the state public service
commission decide to rescind the
commission order of 1928 and de-
mand that the company install
meters free.
Hearing on the meterization pro-
'agram is to be held Thursday at 10
n. NJ, in the house of representa-
lives. All water consumers, who
have evidence TO offer regarding ac-
zion OF the company in attempting
to force meter installation or al
legged excessive cost of installation
by plumbers. have been asked to
appear and testify.
The hearing was ordered by Com
missioner Howell Ellis after numer-
Gus complaints had been received
by the service department of the
commission.
Not Opposed to Meters
Meterizatton, as such, is not apt
10 be opposed by the commissioners.
All have expressed themselves in
general on the equity of the meter
plan OF measuring and paying for
water consumption.
Commissioner Calvin Mcintosh
has declared, however, that he feels
that under circumstances prevailing
IN this city (Which has one of the
highest minimum fiat rates., the
client should be allowed the option
OF installing q meter or remaining
on the fiat rate system.
Somewhat unusual procedure pre-
walls in the case, in that it was in
stituted by the commission itself
without formal petition.
Engineering, accounting and serv-
ice department heads have gathered
data. This was thrashed over in a
conference of the several depart
rnent heads with Ellis today.
The result is a mass of evidence to
be presented at the hearing Thurs
day.
UcCS Data on Costs
This will include data gathered by
William Edwards, chief of the serv-
ice department, showing who pays
for meter installations in nearly
fifty towns and cities throughout
the state. In many instances the
entire cost is paid by the water
COMPANY. Edwards said.
Edwards also gathered informa-
ton regarding payment of service
line installations from the main to
the property line. This is also to be
used by the commission in any order
for change here, where the entire
cost of installation and upkeep now
Is paid by the consumer.
This means that where pavement
must be torn up to repair leak
In the street, the property holder
bears the entire cost. In many cities
this is paid for by the water COM
pany, according to Edwards.
Profit for Company
Harry Wenger, chief engineer, is
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costs, his data being gathered from
a city-wide survey. Average cost
of meter installation to the prop
erty owner is around 81, where
there is no box installation, he said.
Where box installation is neces-
sary, the indianapolis Water Com
pany is said to garner profit from
the sale of meter boxes. The COM
pany makes another profit from tiles
bought from it. Figures regarding
these alleged profits will be submit
ted by Wenger.
William Pierce of the accounting
department will present a huge map
showing in what sections the meters
thus far have been installed. This
will be given in percentage from
figures furnished by the company.
Company officials have employed
counsel and accountants to present
their side Of the picture. Should
free installation be ordered, it is
considered likely that appeal will
be taken under the 1927 amendment
to the Spencer Shirley utilities act.