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

through.
/ recommend that this department be
allowed not less than so, 900 TO conduct its
work during the present year.
ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT.
The report of the engineering depart
ment shows in great detail the work per-
formed during the past year.
IL contains a resume of the controversy
between the engineer and the contractor
concerning materials used in the paving
OF Second South street between West
Temple and First West streets. and gives
the analyses of the asphalt used therein,
together with the comments of the
analytical chemist regarding the suit
ability of the material in question.
me rltth South street sewer has been
completed recently at a total cost of
Si,64l22. of which sum $1,000 was paid by
the Salt Lake City Brewing company.
Inc contractor upon this work was
continually involved in disputes with the
engineer during the construction of this
sewer, and its completion was not effect
ed for nearly three months after the date
agreed upon in the contract.
The contractor finally abandoned the
work, leaving it to be completed by the
city, which was done.
Much of the contractors work had to be
reconstructed because of defects, and the
engineer states that the expenses to the
city for engineering an inspection was
fully doubled for the foregoing reasons
The Fort Douglas sewer system is now
being connected with the Fifth South
street extension. which should materially
improve the sanitary condition of the
reservation locality, and will considerably
increase the volume of sewage in the
city system.
The recommendations contained in the
engineers report are such as should be
carried out at the earliest possible time.
ENGINEERS RECOMMENDATION
Third-That an ordinance be passed re-
quirIng that all sewer connections be laid
to line and grade fixed by the city en-
2lneer. a =
necessary to have the sewer connections
constructed properly as it is the sewer
lateralS.
Fifth-That all street cutters within the
paved district, be flushed during the sum-
mer months. The manure and washings
from the street pavements are now al
lowed to stand in the cutters for days at
a time. and in the warm weather it be-
comes very offensive. One man with
about 800 feet of one and one-uuarter
inch hose can keep all the cutters with
in the paved district clean at a cost of
$50 per month
Sixth-That the city engineer be au-
thorized to set stakes indicating the
street line and grade free of charge for
private parties who are making perma-
nent improvements such sidewalks, or
fences and buildings on the street line.
Under the present ordinance the city
engineer is required to charge for this
work. To this a great many property
owners object. and in some instances they
nave made improvements without regard
pense of having the stakes set, although
contrary to a city ordinance.
Eighth-That the city engineer be au-
thorized to complete the resurvey of plat
e and the Annex, at an early date.
No property lines, street lines or grades,
either for street improvements or private
parties. can be established in these dis
trictS until the reSurvey is completed.
Ninth-That no contracts be approved,
when awarded to contractors who have
in the past shown their intentions not to
comply with the terms of their contracts.
ana who take work at low ngureS with
the expectation of getting a bonus, or
having their claims for extras allowed.
In supervising the work done by this
class OF contractors, the engineering de-
partment has been put to unnecessary
trouble and expense and even then it was
impossible to secure good work.
Several of these recommendations will
doubtless require study and investigation
upon the part of the council before being
carried out; but the remainder, notably
the third, fifth, sixth and eighth, are
obviously desirable and should be acted |
upon at once.
AS regards the ninth recommendation |
recent experience. familiar to all, is suffi-
cient to secure its adoption.
DEPARTMENT OF ELECTRICITY
l desire to again call the attention of |
our honorable body to the stringent |
partment as branch of the city govern |
ment. I
In my last annual message 1 outlined |
the scheme upon which such depart |
ment should be organized and conducted, |
and stated why its advisability was to
apparent to me-
Various events of the past year have
only tended to strengthen the opinions 1
have already expressed, and TO confirm
the position which was then taken in the
natter
your honorable body with which the said
are confessedly unable to
ieal justly and intelligently without the
assistance of expert advice and conse-
iuent expenditure of money. n9i9
Applications for two franchises have
been placed before the council during the
asst few months by large and wealthy
and in the instance where
he petition was granted the terms of the
franchise were only arrived at with the
assistance of professional services, which
he city attorney was obliged 10 solicit
gratis.
The franchise in question seems to offer
TO the city authorities to
Effect notable economy in the future cost
If street lighting. and the means proposed
Ire directly coincident with the plan out
ined in the report upon municipal light
nE mace last February TO me by an
expert employed for the purpose. The
me point of difference between that plan
md the opportunity now offered to the
;ity is that by the conditions of the
Utah Power company's franchise the out
ay required to purchase and operate all
electric generating appliances is thrown
lpon the power company leaving to the
'ity simply the erection or lines and
amps, and the maintenance thereof.
Yet before the matter can be definitely
determined, ii is necessary to secure re-
liable advice as to the outlay and an
lual expense necessary for the city to
ncur in undertaking the operation of its
'wn lamps, and as to the more suitable
md economical system for the purpose
Intended.
Again, one of the largest electric power
companies in the world is now merely
waiting the settlement of its franchise
n order to begin operations in this city.
This application of this company has
low been before the council for more
han three months without definite action
hereuDon. in consequence of which the
aid company has been put to heavy ex-
'ense and delay in the completion of its
york.
The committee in charge of this matter
5 admittedly unable to adjust the terms
f the franchise requested and the serv-
res of a competent adviser cannot be OBJ
aimed without the expenditure of an
mount nearly sufficient to pay a reason
BILE years salary for an electrician