> At a public water fountain, it is customary for people to toss in coins and make a wish. Everyone realizes that it's superstition--they don't actually think it will make their wish come true. They simply do it for fun.
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> Basically, I reached in and took the quarters I saw. I told my father and he said it was wrong of me to do so, that I was taking something that did not belong to me.
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> I immediately noted to him that the city would have to hire someone to clean the fountain otherwise, and the wages would cost more than was earned through the fountain. I also commented that the fountain was an antique, and the small drains could easily be clogged, or that the upper basins could easily be chipped. After I said so, though, I wondered if I was just rationalizing.
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> And so, I come to the point: I would appreciate some thoughts on this.
>
> gab"A minor dilemma if ever there was one"by

Quite a quandry if ever there was one. I think you first have to find out what the policy is on that particular fountain. At a mall in Muskogee, OK about 1/2 hour from where I live there is a fountain that people wish on. This fountain is dedicated to a children's charity and all the money is collected once a month and donated to that charity. The money is taken up by people already employed by the mall so there are no extra wages paid to retrieve it. If the money in your fountain is donated in such a way then I think you should reconsider you actions.

However, the fountain is clearly marked that all the money will be gathered and donated as such. This gives the people a choice and the peace-of-mind of knowing that the money isn't going to the already successful mall owners just because they own the fountain and "deserve it." If you find out that the public fountain *does* donate to a charity then maybe you should try to get the fountain marked as such to help curb any further confussion on the subject.

Now if the money goes to help preserve the fountain, or maintain the grounds around the fountain I'd have to say that I might reconsider, but can't say that I'd never have done it myself. Realistically I'm sure that there is a lot more money harvested than one would realize and it is probably more than enough to pull any required maintenance with extra to boot. I don't mean to justify anything, but I don't think I'd stay awake at night worrying about it under these circumstances. And again, I'd try to get it marked so the public will know what their wishes are really worth.

And lastly, if you find that the money doesn't do anything but line the pockets of those who get it out, or someone else somewhere down the line, then I'd have to say "Welcome to the line" Not that I'm condoning theft at all but I can't say that I would blame you, or for that matter I'm not real sure that I'd even call it theft under that circumstance. Once it is in a public fountain that doesn't have any specified destination for the money, I would argue that the money itself is public money, to be freely enjoyed by all.

Drac "My $.02 over the left sholder" imas