The Kennewick courier-reporter. [volume] (Kennewick, Wash.) 1914-1938, 1932-12-22
CITY QUERIES
HYDRANT RATE

The cause for the recent increase
in fire insurance rates has been
from the state rating
bureau. The matter was consider
ed at the last meeting Of the city
council and inquiry was made for
comparative rates with other cities
nearby similar in size.
In the main the principal cause
for the increase was said to be be-
cause of the inadequate fire pro-
lection. An insufficient number Of
fire MIGRANTS and mains not suf-
ficiently large to accommodate the
ones we have were the main items.
While the board refused to give
ratings for the other cities it i'm
dictated that a complete statement
Of the bureaus requirements could
be obtained for this city upon re-
quest. The city is going to make
the request and then attempt to
comply with the requirements de-
manded by the board.
While no definite action was
taken upon the matter, it was in-
ormally agreed by the council that
the city wonld attempt to live
within the actual cash balances and
would refrain from issuing war
rants except in cases Of absolute
necessity, no matter what the bud
geted items contained. Tax collec-
tons have been too small to per-
init the city to operate on q cash
budget, even tho having kept wen
within the budget limitations.
AS their firsg economy move, e
was decided to lay off one Of the
night policemen sitter the first Of
the year. Some arrangement win
be made with Deputy Copeland, Il
possible, to handle the police cases
during the day. Bert Moores win
be retained as night man.
Inasmuch as the city's bill for
lights and water is the largest
single item, this angle also came
in for some discussion. The pos
sibility Of cutting out some Of the
street lights was gone into and in
vestigations along this line wiz be
conducted. The rate on fire hy-
drants has long been subject for
councilmanic discussion. At pres
emit the city is paying five dollars
per month each. The matter was
taken up with the state auditor re-
Gently who reported that Kenne-
wick WIS the only city Of les si5e
in the state which was served BY
the power company. Therefore be
had no comparisons from which 70
guage the rates, but that in the
cities which owned their own
plants, the usual charge was $3.50
per plug. Search Of the records re-
vealed that the contract was en-
tered into with the power company
in 1928 and that it was fer fifty
years.
buy CHRISTMAS SEALS
Ice in the power canal caused
the federal power plant at Pros
ser to close down last Saturday.
It is expected that it will be
started again Thursday Of this
week. Certain portions of the ca
nal froze over during the cold spell
and in some places the ice was 12
inches thick. The ice is being
broken out and sluiced out thru .
spillway.
-BUY CHRISTMAS SEALS
Two big dances will be featured
1t the Highlands club house dur
ing holiday week. Monday night
, special dance with entertainment
features will be provided and on
New Years Eve their annual fea-
ture frolic will be staged. Both.
parties promise to be outstanding
events Of the season.
BUY CHRISTMAS SEALS
Miss GIee Miller is entertaining
this exening with . Christmas din
ner party at the E. A. Miller
home. The rooms and table are
decorated with Christmas
motifs. Covers are laid Cor the
Misses VeDdella and Ruth Muel-
Ter, Eva and Gertrude NichOlauns
Ruth Long, Binnie KILLER and
Durdle.