When Water is Scarce; H. Hazlitt

When it is suddenly announced that the water is in short supply, ev erybody is worried.A few token economies are suggested. But even a conscientious consumer may think 202 something like this: ~~Of course I in tend to economize. But what can my own picayune economies amount to compared with the total consump tion? And how can I be confident that others will economize?" While the less conscientious may be tempted to think: ~~What difference will it make to the total consump tion if I continue to use water as carelessly as I have been using it? And how will anybody else find out?" None ofthese problems would arise under a metering system, in which the individual or family user pays for each gallon he uses, and saves on each gallon he doesn't use. Then each family has a clear and direct incen tive to economize. And in a serious water shortage, a city could raise the price it charged per gallon.

I am aware that this single pro posed change doesn't answer all questions. Meters are expensive. It takes time to make and install them. In ordinary circumstances the ~~free" common use of water may look like the cheapest and most sensible sys tem. But what happens when water use is socialized helps to explain what happens wherever the socialist prin ciple is adopted. , REFORMER WATCHING will probably never catch on as a national pas time. It req~ires more patience than watching baseball. It is less stimu lating than girl watching, more es oteric than bird watching, and has more moves which must be carefully pondered than does chess. As if that were not enough, most of the time you don't even know what you are looking for. Reformers are so adept at conceal ing their intent that even the most skilled observer is apt to become confused. If baseball were played their way, no one would know where the bases are, and the location of home plate would be a deep dark se cret. Even so, reformers need watch ing, for if they are left to their own devices.they are capable to doing an Dr. Carson has specialized in American intellectual history. This, he suggests, is what accounts for his expertise at watching reformers.