Since the water company could not meter the water, Bracken would conduct a survey of the new users to try and determine how much water each will require so they could establish rates for them.
hln001155. Union Pacific Railroad Collection, 1828-1995. MS-00397. Special Collections and Archives, University Libraries, University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Las Vegas, Nevada. http://n2t.net/ark:/62930/d11v5fd7t
English
Las Vegas, Nev. June 4, 1931. W 23-4-1S Re: Water Service for Industrial Sites: Mr. F. H. Knickerbocker, General Manager, Los Angeles, California. Dear Sir: Referring to your letter of May 29th. File 9215-3-W, to Mr. Adamson, in reference to water service for industrial dictrict: I attach herewith, confirmation of my wire, even date, which is self explanatory. Prior to installing those water lines on the four-hundred (400) foot right-of-way industrial ground, engineer Clausen (as instructed) called on the different industries explaining to them that as soon as line completed, they would be compelled to advance funds necessary for their water tap which would include cost of meter, in this way the entire matter would have been handled by the Railroad Company, but as per your letter to Mr. Adamson, this water service is to be turned over to the Las Vegas Land and Water Company, which is a utility serving under our State Commission, and as the law passed at our last session forbids meter service in any town with population over 4,500, we will be required to fix a flat rental against each and every industry. That can only be done by trying to determine the amount of water they will use. Very few of them will use more than enough for lavatories, toilets, possibly sprinkling floors, washing windows, etc. If you approve, I will canvass the situation and submit a rate which both Mr. Connolly and I think would be fair to both the Las Vegas Land and Water Company and the user, although it is a known fact we will not be able to apply a rate that will show us even a fair return on the investment. Have consulted with Mr. Leo McNamee concerning this matter and it is his advice that it will be impossible for us to install meters, Mr. Clausen, therefore, is not making any further demands for advanced costs of installation of meters and in one or two cases where he has made collections, I anticipate the Railroad Company will have to make a refund. The Bus Garage, Union Oil Company, Richfield Company, National lce & Cold Storage Company, Standard Oil Company, Earl Coal ?2 Yard, and Shell Oil Company are being served through the old three- inch line of the Las Vegas Land and Water Company across Main street, but I believe those users should be required to discontinue from this line and made to connect on our newly constructed line on the rear of industry sites. If this is done, they will be required to stand the entire expense of a new tap. If you approve of this, will you kindly advise me and I will see that it is carried out. Yours very truly, Walter R. Bracken Vice-President & Agent. CC - Mr. A.S. Halstead, Mr. F. R. McNamee, Mr. C. C. Barry Mr. Frank Strong Mr. A. L. Coey, Mr. Leo McNamee, Mr. L. M. Clausen