The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1890-08-10
EXTENSION OF MAINS.

Many times in past years TIE HERALD
protested against the plan that was adopted
IN the matter of water main extensions,
and as many times urged the different city
councils to correct the wrong and adopt a
more equitable system. We REFER of course,
to the levying of special assessments. The
beginning was bad; then there was a
change, which did not improve matters
now we hope there will be another change
which will help the case.
As we have pointed out, the mains were
laid in the central part of the CITY at the
expense OF the corporation; they were paid
for from the public fund, just
as the reservoirs and large pipes
conveying water down to the point
where consumers were found had been paid
for There were no special assessments,
| and the property that was benefited by the
| convenience and protection afforded by the
water service was taxed no higher because
OF the mains running in front of it. This
plan would have been proper enough had it
been continued and the mains been ex-
tended as fast as possible along all the
streets, the water being brought within the
reach OF all taxpayers. This was not done,
however. The central and weather. por-
ton of the city having been covered. there
was no more laying of mains, and a new
rule was adopted requiring property own
ers to advance a portion of the cost of
extensions. Thus, the taxpayers who had
helped pay for the Improvement for
one portion of the city were REQUIRED
to pay again before they could derive any
benefit. True, the advance payments for
extensions were credited on water rates.
but good many had to pay the assessment
who didn't want the water service, and
others paid more than their water rates
would amount to in a generation, while all
were deprived of the use of their money
The arrangement was unfair and ineouit
able. One or two city councils have
struggled with the problem, and we be-
lleve the last previous council took the
Initiative toward making the wrong right
by restoring to the taxpayers the money
extorted as advance payment for extern
sions. The necessary action, however,
was not taken, ard the present council is
going on in the old way, compelling prop
erty- owners who have contributed their
equitable proportion of the cost of the
original mains to pay for extensions to their
own property.
We believe that if the courts were an
piled to they would put stop to this mani
fest injustice, but better way to undo the
wrong would be for the council to not only
call halt on this way of extending by
special assessment, but hand back to those
hary
they have advanced less the sums already
paid in water rates. This would be Just.
and no fair minded person could object to
it. Besides, the water works are such a
profitable institution at the present rates
that the city can afford to pay for all extern
sions OF mains which are demanded
We know that in many instances the
special taxes have been extremely burden
some, greatly embarrassing lot owners who
were too poor to take the water into their
houses after they had paid for the mains.
We know that in many cases where ex-
tensions have been ordered and the assess
ments levied the tax will greatly oppross
people who will get not the least benefit
from the extensions for the reason thai
they cannot afford to pay the water rates.
THE HERALD hopes the council will lool,
at this matter in spirit of fairness. and
will do justice in the premises.