The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1897-02-17
WATERWORKS

20lS5, was completed and delivered to the
city treasurer August 20, 1896.
The supplemental roll for the same year
amounting TO 1886. is also in the hand:
OF the city treasurer, making the tota
amount of the assessment roll SS9.S46.
There have been attachments allowed or
account of vacancies, overcharges and
erroneous assessments amounting tc
$Se, 446.
No serious shortage in the water supply
occurred during the year, and the action
of the department employees upon oc-
casions of emergency was commercially
prompt and efficient.
In my opinion your honorable body
| should give generous financial support to
! the waterworks department during the
| present year.
1t is one of the chief sources of income
! to the city, and Its maintenance and ex-
| tension are the chief factors in promoting
| the health and growth of the population.
| Unless sufficient funds are placed at the
| disposal of the superintendent to i'm
| prove and enlarge the system, besides
| properly maintaining the present system
! against the steady depreciation which it
/ undergoes, the revenues of the depart
ment and the value of the water works
| as an asset to the city will surely and
rapidly diminish, and its service become
] unreliable
l recommend that immediate action be
| taken to restore the high line tanks as
requested by the superintendent
The northeast and northwest portions
J Oh the CITY are wholly dependent upon
this source of supply. and it is now liable
to be cut oft at any time through cir
cumstances beyond the control of the
department.
ment of the City Creek springs. by tun-
nellipg. This affords probably the most
economical opportunity to Immediately
increase the water supply of the city.
The unfinished reservoir at Thirteenth
East and First South streets should be
fenced to protect further dumping of gar
bage thereat.
| suggest that the expense of tapping
the sump in Emigration canyon by l.
500 foot tunnel, receive early and careful
investigation.
of completing this tunnel inclusive of
timbering. piping and all incidentals, to
be about SO per foot, or $4,000. but once
completed, it will form most valuable
acquisition to the city water works.
/ do not think that the proposition TO
filter the Parley's canyon water supply
is feasible at the present time.
1t is entirely probable that within
short time the Parleys canyon supply
viii be permanently abandoned by the
city. and that we shall ultimately turn to
Big Cottonwood for our chief supply.
In my opinion the sooner this change
is effected the better will it be for all
concerned.
The proposition is by no means new.
and has been advocated by the water
works and engineers departments, as
several years past.
Its execution will require considerable
money. time and labor but its compile
ton will greatly simplify the present
waterworks system and provide an in
exhaustible supply for this city, of the
purest water to be found in this vicinity.
Each year of delay in acquiring the
water rights of the stream, however, in
c-eases the ultimate expense and diff
Guilty OF so doing
POLICE DEPARTMENT
The record of the police department
during the past year has been good. aside
from seeming lack of discipline and
unanimity at times. Its present harmoni-
Gus and efficient organization is matter
for congratulation to the city.
The present chief of police is thoroughly
qualified by past experience to conduct
the department for the welfare of all,
under him.
Conditions doubtless familiar to all
have compelled the police commission to |
erect 4 sleeping house separate from the
city Jail.
It is unnecessary here to reiterate the
disgraceful attitude of this city with re-
gard TO Jail facilities.
I desire to go on record here as un- |
qualifedly advocating the immediate |
erection of a new jail.
This matter is not one which VIII bear /
further procrastinauon, and the end in |
adopted for its attainment.
l fully endorse the protests of the fire /
and police commission against a con-
tinuance of present conditions
FIRE DEPARTMENT.
The report of the fire chief shows that
the net cost of the department during
1896 was. $50. .2SS.72 including the cost of
at station No. 3.
The estimate of money required for the
present year amounts TO S36.455, included
In which sum is $1,000, recommended by
the board of police and fire commlsson-
ers for the erection of a much needed
station and equipment in the Fourth pre-
cinct, inclusive of eight pGonths main
tenance from May l. 1897. Also the sum
Of 81 545 from the years allowance VIII
be utilized in renewing 70 miles of the
electric fire alarm service Whlch IS now
totally unreliable, owing TO defective IN
sulation. ...
I recommend that the appropriation re-
1uested be allowed.
HEALTH DEPARTMENT.
The report of the city physician con-
.erning the general health and sanitation
II the CITY is 80 complete in detail and
Is recommendations are so sensible ana
necessary, that l have no comment TO
I do not think that the efficient and
work of the head Of this, de-
Dartment and its aids, Is appreciated OF
eaIized Few il any. cities in the coun-
which express the results of such success
mi labor performed under disadvantages
* those of the health department OF Salt
lake City, and l take pleasure In com
nendfng its report TO your consideration.
earnestly recommend that this depart
nent be given sufficient money TO in
.rease its laboratory equipment, as re-
,uested by the city physician.
7 also recommend that the patrols of
oarley's and City Greek canyons be
,Iaced under the direction of the board
If health instead of continuing them
With the watermaster's department
This will give a more effective service
han the present arrangement
STREET DEPARTMENT.
we cannot read the report of the
supervisor of streets with pride or salts
action.
To ATTEMPT TO maintain more than go
r:les of streets and 800 road bridges in
a fa condition. not TO say paSSable, upon
N allowance of $4,000 per year, IS a {
erious reflection upon the good Judg- ]
nent of this administration
rhe streets have never been in worse
ondition than during the past year. and
through no fault of the supervisor. but ,
irr ply because of his lack of means.
,rhe reduction made within three years l
f from s6S.0OO 10 $4,000 per annum TO l
naintain the streets of this city in good
ondition, coupled with the extensions of l
treet paving which cannot be protected ,
rom depreciation. owing to lack OF ap- ,
ro-ria tions for the work. does not ap-
ear to me as being good municipal
heir preservation as other engineering c
tructures and depreciate as rapidly when |
hat care is not bestowed.
Furthermore. the city has already had =
ufficient experience with damage suits. 9