QUARTERLY METER READINGS.

QUARTERLY METER READINGS.

根据j . h .出彩的部分报告,revenue expert of the New York bureau of municipal research, which recently made a municipal survey in Columbus, Ohio, it is recommended that three meter readers, one chief meter-inspector and four service men be eliminated. In this connection the report states that instead of reading meters monthly they be read but once a quarter thus reducing the force as indicated above. Superintendent O’Shaughnessy objected to the recommendation of quarterly reading. He said that the monthly reading frequently disclosed leaks and wasting of water that the consumers would not know of otherwise. Mr. Clowes endeavors to answer Superintendent O’Shaughnessy by stating that the consumers should be instructed by printed slips how toread their own meters and this would indicate to them at any time whether or not the plumbing was in proper condition. The city of Columbus should hesitate about adopting recommendation against the objection of Superintendent O’Shaughnessy. He knows from experience that consumers cannot be educated to read and analyze water meter readings. Experience of water superintendents and men of practical water affairs show that the best results are obtained when meters are read every month, although this does not mean that the bill should be rendered monthly. To illustrate some of the advantages of monthly readings let us suppose that on the day after the meter is set an obstruction should lodge in it and stop the registration. Water would pass through the meter without registering and the obstruction would not be noticed until the subsequent reading. It is then necessary to notify the consumer of the trouble and render him a bill on the basis of what water he would likely use; or another unsatisfactory method, to arrange the registration on the basis of the following reading. Again, when service pipes wear out and fixtures become leaky, the consumer is not apprised of this until the bill is rendered, which is for a period of three months, according to expert Clowes. The leak may be discharging water In an underground or covered passage. The consumer refuses to pay the bill because it is exorbitant and a reduction is made at the expense of the water department. When meters arc read monthly, a month of leakage is only one third of the quarterly leakage and may be collected without much trouble. The question of reading meters and educating the consumer to analyze reading is an academic question to the New York Bureau of Municipal Research, but to men like Superintendent O’Shaughnessy, who deal directly with the consumer and know how important it is to secure the good will of the consumer, it is a practical question. The city of Columbus should be guided by its experienced water works head in this matter.

根据j . h .出彩的部分报告,revenue expert of the New York bureau of municipal research, which recently made a municipal survey in Columbus, Ohio, it is recommended that three meter readers, one chief meter-inspector and four service men be eliminated. In this connection the report states that instead of reading meters monthly they be read but once a quarter thus reducing the force as indicated above. Superintendent O’Shaughnessy objected to the recommendation of quarterly reading. He said that the monthly reading frequently disclosed leaks and wasting of water that the consumers would not know of otherwise. Mr. Clowes endeavors to answer Superintendent O’Shaughnessy by stating that the consumers should be instructed by printed slips how toread their own meters and this would indicate to them at any time whether or not the plumbing was in proper condition. The city of Columbus should hesitate about adopting recommendation against the objection of Superintendent O’Shaughnessy. He knows from experience that consumers cannot be educated to read and analyze water meter readings. Experience of water superintendents and men of practical water affairs show that the best results are obtained when meters are read every month, although this does not mean that the bill should be rendered monthly. To illustrate some of the advantages of monthly readings let us suppose that on the day after the meter is set an obstruction should lodge in it and stop the registration. Water would pass through the meter without registering and the obstruction would not be noticed until the subsequent reading. It is then necessary to notify the consumer of the trouble and render him a bill on the basis of what water he would likely use; or another unsatisfactory method, to arrange the registration on the basis of the following reading. Again, when service pipes wear out and fixtures become leaky, the consumer is not apprised of this until the bill is rendered, which is for a period of three months, according to expert Clowes. The leak may be discharging water In an underground or covered passage. The consumer refuses to pay the bill because it is exorbitant and a reduction is made at the expense of the water department. When meters arc read monthly, a month of leakage is only one third of the quarterly leakage and may be collected without much trouble. The question of reading meters and educating the consumer to analyze reading is an academic question to the New York Bureau of Municipal Research, but to men like Superintendent O’Shaughnessy, who deal directly with the consumer and know how important it is to secure the good will of the consumer, it is a practical question. The city of Columbus should be guided by its experienced water works head in this matter.