The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1882-08-11
IT MAY COME.
SALT LAKE CITY, Aug. 10, 80.
Editors Herald:

SALT LAKE CITY, Aug. III, 81
Editors Herald:
In last evenings NetOS l saw that
the inhabitants of the eastern part
of the north bench have recently
had al abundance of water from
the new ditch, while those at the
western end have had none for
weeks. How is this for Justice? Is
the watermaster drowned in the
new stream, or is he incompetent to
distribute the water, or is he scared
to enforce his authority? 1t is
doubly unpleasant for us to see our
trees, vines and other truck perish
under such circumstances, that is if
others are using more than their
share Of the vital element.
EIGHTEENTH WARDER.
The above letter is one among the
many received at the HERALD Office
giving vent to feelings of disap-
pointment that the efforts of
the settlers made to broaden
the habitable area of the
city are not agreeably successful.
One fact is well known to every
sensible man and woman, and child
too, that the size of our city will al
ways be limited to the water bitches.
Although many towns outside of
Utah, and a few within its boun-
diaries, have existed and grown
where water had to be hauled long
distances to the houses Of the set
tiers, but the people of this territory
cOnfine themselves, in a very gen
eral way to regions where they can
raise fruit and shade trees, shrubs
and garden truck, and are very sell
dom contented until this is accom-
plished. The purpose is laudable,
and should be encouraged in every
possible way, for it brings health to
the people and prosperity to the ter
ritory.
The writer of the above CORE
spOndence doubtless thinks he has
just cause for complaint, but it is
just as possible that the owners of
the thirsty, parched ground in the
eastern portion Of the north bench
think that no water runs to waste
there. These latter people have
been some three or four weeks with
out a drop running down the
bitches, the people at the Fort con-
Stunning the whole of Red Butte
water, to which the folks in the
Eleventh Ward claim they have a
prior right, and they very naturally
will sympathize with other citizens
who are afflicted by the absence of
water near their homes.
But, at the worst, the tenchers
must feel pleased that there is some
prospect of their sufferings being
alleViated by means Of water being
brought from the river by the JOr-
dan and Salt Lake Canal. 1t cannot
be accomplished in a day, but the
matter will soon be a fact that a
canal will be taken high enough on
the north and east benches to ease
This constant, justifiable clamOr for
more water. Suggestions are made
TO elevate water from the canal by
pressure from engines; this is
plausible method but very ex-
pensive for the amount that could
thus be supplied: other suggestions
are made to dig large irTigating
ditch as high on the bench as pos
sible, and by swapping with the
owners of land in the big field,
furnish irrigating water for the
field and bring Canyon creek along
the edge of the city east and north.
The latter seems the preferable
plan of the two, because when the
first cost is paid nearly all of it is
paid and a steady, reliable stream is
easily furnished; the engine-lifting
plan will be continuously expensive,
and, perhaps, not so thoroughly
reliable.
Anyhow, one fact is apparent, that
with the present low water in the
streams Salt Lake City
would have been in a sorry plight
this autumn without the canal; and
we want more of 'em.