Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-01-27
Boosting Water Rates Again.

quarter million-dollar program of ex-
tensions and improvements to the water
distribution system over a period of five
years. the Commissioners have approved
the short-sighted expedient of recon-
mending to Congress an increase of &c
to IS per cent in water taxes and an
increase of so per cent in main assess
ments. Their decision is the easiest
way out of an admittedly difficult situa-
ton. But it reflects no great considera-
ton Of the equities involved and Is al
best make-shift.
In 1926 the Board of Trade adopted
a special report urging that the water
system be placed where it belongs
under the supervision of the Public
Utilities CommiSsion-where water rates
would receive the same systematic and
intelligent consideration given to rates
for privately owned utilities in the Dis
trict. The action of the Commissioners
on Saturday again directs attention to
the necessity of making some such ar
rangement. The water rate question is
not being properly considered. Boosting
rates again is merely side-stepping an
issue that should be met squarely and
disposed of on its merits.
The alternative that might have been
chosen by the Commissioners lay in
recommending to Congress that the adj
ditional expenses of expansion be met
out of the general tax fund of the Dis
49, - al i,,ef
property owners for benefits received
through water plant extension. Such a
course was recommended after thorough
study by Capt. Hugh Dram, Assistant
Engineer Commissioner, and concurred
in by Maj. Brehon Somervell, United
States Engineer Commissioner for this
district, who supervises the supply sys-
TEN.
But acting on the advice of Auditor
Donovan, the Commissioners chose the
easier way, which lies in raising the
water rate.
Mr.. Donovan's point Of view is of
course understood. The general fund
is now being stretched almost to the
limit. Financing water extensions from
the general fund would futher reduce
the slim margin between revenue avail
abilities and appropriations.
But that margin is slim because of
the Federal Governments failure to
contribute its Just and lawful percent
age of Capital expenses through the
general fund. Having withdrawn alto
gether as a contributor to the water
plant, yet continuing to get its water
free, the Federal Government has been
steadily reducing its proportionate con-
tribution to the general fund. To boost
water taxes because congressional
parsimony has pared the general fund
is to proceed on the theory that two
wrongs make a right.
The last increase in water rates was
decided upon in 1928 when the Com
missioners were faced with the same
dilemma that faces them today. Rates
were raised 1917 per cent. But the
additional profits thus taken from the
sale Of water have not created a surplus
large enough to finance extensions
nCCCSoltdOCo ny b14C B1OHIA4 VA b44C NAbJ
The Commissioners therefore ask an
other increase of from 20 to IS per
cent in rates, so per cent in assess
ments, and hope that the profit viii be
large enough to cover expansion ex-
penses beginning July /, 1881. BY the
end Of 1886, however, there viii prob
ably be another increase in rates, for
the present policy tends toward steady
increases.
Water is a necessity that should be
furnished at the bare cost of produc-
ton. The cost Of producing water In
Washington Is about two-thirds of the
amount collected from sales and as
sessments under the present system
With property owners paying benefit
assessments for new mains and with
the remaining cost of extensions to the
system borne from the general fund
the correct tendency would be a reduc-
ton in water rates toward the ideal
of free and unlimited water for all who
use it. The wider the distribution ano
the greater the number of users the
lower should be the cost of water.
Exactly the opposite is taking place
in the City Of Washington and tho
cost of water is mounting, while rate:
for other essentials furnished by pri'
vately-owned and prof1t-making util
ity corporations are decreasing. Thu
system Of financing the water plan
should be changed. Water should b
reduced, not increased, in price.