Evening star., 1941-10-02
Friendship Citizens
Oppose Proposal for
Wafer Rate Boost
Association Hears
PiIkerton; Loading
Platforms Sought

Opposition to any increase In Dis
trict water rates and demands for
modern, concrete streetcar loading
platforms in place of painted safety
zones on Wisconsin avenue were
voiced by the Friendship Citizens
Association at it's first fall meeting
| last night in Janney School.
The association acted on the water
rate question after hearing Arthur
r. Pilkerton, District auditor, de-
clare that some means must be
found to expand the water supply
and distribution system because of
the greatly increased demands re-
sulting from the ctiy's rapid growth.
Mr.. Pilkerton said the District has
two alternatives: 1t must either in
crease the present rates or obtain
authorization for a bond issue He
emphasized that he was not advo-
eating either step.
Mr.. Pilkerton pointed out that If
the Federal Government would pay
the District for the water furnished
its agencies, at the rate now applied
to local commercial consumers, the
District would receive more than
100000 annually. The Jacobs re-
port of several years ago recon-
mended that the Government re-
imburse the District for the water
it uses, he said.
Cites 1885 Reduction.
Reviewing problems relating to
financing the water fund, the audi
! tor recalled that Congress in 1885
ordered a fat 25 per cent reduction
in water rates, with an increase in
the minimum allowance of from
1880 to 10000 cubic feet. In 1888
the minimum allowance was put
back to $500 cubic feet, but the min
imum charge of S875 was retained
The Water Survey Committee re-
port of 1888 recommended an So
minimum charge and a minimum
hallowance of 1000 cubic feet. The
Water Department, in its recent 1943
budget estimates, proposed an in
crease in the minimum rate of $12,
with the minimum allowance being
reduced from $500 to 4,800 cubic
feet.
The association, citing the hazards
Of the painted loading zones on Wis
consln avenue, authorized the chair
man of its Public Utilities Com
mittee to urge the Commissioners to
provide "the best possible" raised
concrete platforms as requirements.
Samuel J. Flickinger declared the
painted zones offer no protection
to pedestrians from the reckless
driver. He pointed out that one
person was killed recently and an
other injured when an automobile
plowed through one Of the painted
| zones on Wisconsin avenue.
Asks Traffic Lights.
The association also requested In
stallation of traffic signal lights at
Van Ness street and Wisconsin
avenue, and stop signs at Brandy
wine and Forty-third streets; op-
posed rezoning of "A" restricted
area in the vicinity of Forty-second
and Brandywine streets and River
road, and opposed the petition of
the Capital Transit Co., for au-
thority to establish an automobile
parking lot on the west side OF
Forty-fourth street, north of Har-
rison street.
L. L. Tucker, president of the as
ISOLATION, and Bruce Stubblefleld
we're elected delegates to the Fedora
ton of Citizens Associations.
Other speakers at the meeting
in addition to Mr.. Pilkerton, were
Mrs. Elizabeth K. Peoples, principal
of the Janney School, and 1t. Will
Barnes, acting commander Of the
eighth precinct.