Evening star., 1941-09-10
Increase Urged
In Water Rate
In Estimates
S4,344,820 Sought
By Distribution and
Supply Divisions

Washington residents face an in
crease in water rates during the
next fiscal year as a result of the
need for additional funds to carry
on essential activities of the water
system, 1t was disclosed today when
the Washington Aqueduct and the
District Water Department sub
mitted their 1943 budget estimates
to the Commissioners.
The Water Department, which
handles distribution, requested an
outlay of s2,935,89 This budget,
together with the estimates of ST.
408,930 submitted by the supply
branch, calls for total estimated
obligation of $4,344,820 for the 1943
fiscal year.
This represents an increase of ST.
480,7 over the supply and distribu-
ton appropriation for the present
fiscal year.
On the basis of estimated expen-
ditures and revenues for this fiscal
year, a resultant deficit of s1,622,-
AIT is indicated, and the Water De-
partment, in submitting its esti-
mates, recommended increases in
the present water rates and assess
ment charges to finance part of the
deficit.
Would Raise Minimum Charge.
The department proposed that the
minimum charge for metered con-
sumption be raised from $875 to Sl2,
and that the allowance for the min
inum rate be reduced from $500
cubic feet to 4,800 cubic feet. 1t
was also recommended that the
schedule for unmetered consumption
be changed from $9.85 to $12, and
that the assessments against prop
erty owners for laying new mains
be increased from $3.50 per linear
foot to $3.50
These changes, it was said, would
increase revenues from the sale of
water by approximately s554,125.
with an additional $189. 900 increase
to accrue during the fiscal year
1914 The department said the def
cit could be financed from the sale
of securities now held by the Treas
ury for the water fund, but added
that, with the increase in revenue
and the elimination or postpone
ment of some items of lesser i'm
portance, the prospective deficit
could be held to a more conservative
figure to be financed from the sale
of securities.
The water fund now has to its
credit in securities approximately
81 1856 900, and while this reserve was
originally set up for an increase
in supply, this office believes that
financing projects to distribute the
present supply is of more impor-
tance at this time than any proposed
future projects now being studied"
the department said.
Police Estimates Received.
Meanwhile, the Commissioners
also had before them for study today
the estimates of the Metropolitan
Police Department, calling for Is
per cent increase over present ap-
preparations, and the estimates of
the Fire Department, which requests
an IL per cent increase in it's ap-
propriations for next year.
Total amount sought by the
Police Department is s4,111.830,
which would include funds for the
addition of $50 policemen to the
force, raising its total strength to
l,766, and provide for construction
of new precinct station house On
District -owned land at Forty second
street and Benning road n z.
Police Department heads con-
tended that the rapid growth in the
territory now covered solely by the
eleventh precinct lis in itself a
justification for the splitting of this
territory into two precincts" They
termed the request an urgent one,
pointing out that the eleventh pre-
cinct now covers IT'S square miles.
Population Increase Cited.
In asking for $50 more officers,
the department said the present
national emergency and the popu-
lation increase have attracted IAN
ever-growing number of undesir-
able characters to the Nations
Capital" and said the proper
supervision and control of this
floating population has placed an
increasingly serious burden on the
personnel. The department de-
clared it has become next to i'm
possible to handle the work efflci-
emily with the present force.
The police also sought funds to
purchase 66 vehicles, including
three new patrol wagons, three tow
trucks, Is motorcycles, % small
cruisers and IL ambulance scout
cars. The sum of $12,500 is asked
for building a second tier block of
cells at the second precinct.
The Fire Department, which