Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1894-12-15

are some 10000 ncrtg owned by the
railway, which places the price OF an
average Of between 81 and fl.25 por
acre. The whole 10000 acres, or hall
that amount ifonly that Is wanted,
can be obtained, These figures
are given on the authority OF Mt
wautlaud, the railway land agent
Payment Is to be made on the ten.
year plan, with the proviso that during
the next two years the corporation
will not have to pay any more on both
purchatss n the new one Is made than
* now required on tho old one IN CITY
Creek. ftis true that a large part O.
the land in the district described 70 ND.
solutely worthless az 10 commercial
value, though some OF IL IL worth more
than the price asked; yet n It is deslf-
able for watershed pup1sls, tho total
figure may not bo deemed unroason.
able.
But while the railway onen this
part Of the watershed, a like portion
and more IL still owned by tho govern.
mont An effort il now being made by
Delegate Rawlins, on behalf Of the
city, to secure II fot The purpose named.
should this bosuocessiul, the ownership
OF the railway lands will be-
essential to the foil control Of tho die.
triot Even N Congress should decline
to grant the very reasonable request
made, there IL still another way 90
which tho land may be- obtained in
tho grant to tho State, under the
enabling act, Of school aud other lands
amounting TO nearly 100000 acres.
The desirable sections could be select
ed on behalf Of the State anu acquired
by tho city from that source.
Further than this, however, there
are tracts, owned by private individu-
ale, the value OF which far exceeds that
OF the properties named. II 10 here
where the heaviest outlay Is Ia pro,-
peot. Perhaps the owners OF those
tracts are not askinga dollar more for
them than their sctual market value;
but even then the figures go away
up Into the scores Of thousands. Az
a means OF avoiding some OF these
cosily purchases, II Ia suggested that no
attempt be made 20 secure the water
shed In the lower part Of Parloy's, hut
That the whole stream be pipoi for
several miles up the canyon. This
would place liz control In excellent
shape, but 10 by no means an inex-
pensivo plan, though It may be a
saving on the other, especially II
owners want fancy figures. Even
then, II the watershed scheme T.
adopted In the canyons named, some
purchases OF private property will DO
necessary.
IL viii be- seen, therefore, In view
Ing the oiisrs made oven ia their most
iavorah.s light, that there is involved
the expenditure OF considera bio
In Of money In pursuing the
watershed policy. Il Is urged, as a
reason for immediate action, that
such a policy IL absolutely
essential to the clty's welfare aud pro.
gress, aud that every year Will render
the contamination OF the idea more
difficult and expensive. On the other
hand It IL pointed out that the city IL
already financially embarrassed, and
should take chances OF being better
ablo to bear the heavier expense In
the future than tho more moderate
outlay now. To decide between these
two views Of the case L. the rosponsi.
blllty resting ON the City Council; aud
"A safe conclusion can be reached only
after careful and compets investlgn.
ton and thorough discussion Of the
subject In all l,s pha,e.