Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-11-05
ALEXANDRIA WATER
CHARGE INCREASES
FILED IN RICHMOND
Commerce Chamber Study.
ing Justification for New
Schedules.
SOME RATES 40 PER CENT
HIGHER THAN AT PRESENT
Fight by Trade Body Indicated II
Survey Shows They Are Not
Warranted.
BY HOWARD M. BAGGETT,
Staff Correspondent OF The star.


ALEXANDRIA, Va, November 5.--A
schedule of proposed increases in
water rates here has been filed by the
Alexandria Water Co. with the state
Corporation Commission at Richmond.
II the increased rates are allowed and
no protest Is made to the commission
they will become effective February /.
1881. A complete survey Of the justifi-
cation for the rate increases is now be-
ing made by the local Chamber Of
Commerce and that organization has
announced that it viii tight the In
creases II the survey shows they are not
justified.
No. definite stand has been taken by
City Council in connection with the
matter, although reports were published
some time ago that the Water Co. was
to seek the rate increases. Vice Mayor
Edmund r. Ticer, however. stated yes
terday that he expected the council to
take steps to resist the increases.
Increase About 40 Per Cent.
The proposed increase it has been
estimated viii amount to $4,000 an
nualiy, with meter rate increases about
40 per cent and the increase In the
minimum nat rate almost the same
percentage. The present minimum nat
rate charge is $l2, while the new sched-
ule calls for rate Of 1850 for that
service.
When the mattsr Of the rate increases
was proposed some weeks ago the Water
Co. presented three proposals whereby
It would receive additional income.
1t asked City Council to pay for
water used in fighting fires, which is
now furnished free under the franchise
the company holds, provided additional
measures to insure proper water pres
sure for fire fighting were provided.
with no increase in rates to consumers.
the installation of the above cited adj
ditions TO the system, with the con-
sumers bearing the rate increases, ar
no additions to the water system with
smaller increases in general consumers
rates.
City council at that time intimated
tnat 1t would not entertain the pro-
posal that the city pay for water used
In frefighting, as the company was re-
quired to furnish this free Of charge
by the franchise 1t held from the city.
The increases now asked therefore are
taken as the additional income the
company wishes from consumers with
out any plans for furnishing additional
water for fire protection.
Rates to Be Compared.
The Chamber Of Commerce survey.
which has been under way for the past
few weeks, is said by members engaged
In the work to go into every phase Of
whether any rate increases are itsti-
ned. A comparison of large number
OF cities, both of Virginia and other
States, Is being made by the commit
tee, and an attempt Is being made ct q
valuation of the water company.
Pyramiding of capital investments by
Ia fAntae - -
companies at fancy prices by large cor
porations has been cited by Vice Mayor
Ticer In connection with the increases
in rates asked by the Alexandria Water
Co., which was purchased about Is
months ago by the American Water
works & Electric Co. Of New York.
Ticer claims that the company is now
seeking to earn a return on the basis
OF the price of $500 per share which
was paid for it and not on the basis
OF true valuation and costs Of furnish
ing water.
Must BE Advertised.
The new rates will have to be adver-
tised four consecutive weeks prior to
the effective date. and If any protest
Is made the case Is set down for a hear
ing by the commission and all parties
interested given an opportunity to pre-
sent their side of the question.
The new rate schedule fixes mini
mum charge Of $1,000 per year for al
private dwellings, stores, Offices and
other buildings having one water TX
ture only and not threaded for Hose
connections. This rate would be effec-
tive pending the installation of meters.
Charges for additional fixtures would
be as follows: Each water closet, $3.50
per annum: each bath tub, $3.50 per
annum: each set laundry tub, So per
annum; for each set wash basin, S2.10
per annuYn, and for each hose connec-
ton. $4.20 per annun.
The schedule provides a ready-to-
serve charge and meter rates where wa
ter Is supplied by meter measurements
for reasonably continuous use, for which
each customer shall be required to pay.
Ready-to-Serve charges run from $500
per year or IS cents per month for q
* Inch meter to 5000 per year or
$420 per month for a 6-inch meter.
Minimum Charge Fixed.
In addition to the ready-to-sCrve
charge the minimum charge for water
service is set by the schedule at 81 40
per month by meter measurement, with
which the consumer would be entitled
to 3,333h gallons Of water during the
month. For the first 10000 gallons per
month or part thereof the schedule sets
the rate at AZ cents per 1000 gallons.
for the next 10000 gallons, 35 cents per
/ 900: next 10000 gallons, % cents per
1000; for the next 10000 gallons, II
cents per 1000: for the next 10000 gale
Ions, II cents per 1000; for the next
16c, 600 gallons, IL cents per 1000, and
all over $4,000 gallons per month at