Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1898-01-19

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Davis county, about three miles north
west of Beck's Hot Springs. at the out
let of the gravity sewer. and extend
ing from that point to the Jordan river.
This land. with the irrigation facilities
Afforded by the sewer. should be made
to produce a revenue to the city, which
can be done by leasing the land for
farming purposes. If 1t cannot be
leased as n whole. there are many small
farmers In the neighborhood who would
be glad to secure n portion of 1t. l
understand that $3.50 has been offered
for the use of the land for the present
year. with the further provision that
the party taking the offer will agree to
control and dispose of the sewage free
of expense to the city. This arrange
ment. II entered into. would relieve the
corporation of the expense of one man.
who, learn, Is constantly employed at
the sewer outlet. If no better use can
he made of the property. ] recommend
that this proposition be accepted.
STREET DEPARTMENT.
Cost-This department was main
tanned at total cost for the year of
S29,s49.7S. of which amount 1854 was
represented by poll-tnx labor and
s1,441 by poll-taS paid in cash.
Poll Tax-The aggregate amount of
poll-tax collected for the year, namely,
50, 325.s0. seems unaccountably low I'M
der the provisions of n law which re-
quires every man over 81 years and
under 30 years of age, except those
physically incapacitated.vo volunteer fire
men and militiamen, to pay 50 each per
| annum. Taxpayers have right to de-
mand. and the interests of the peo-
pie require, that this tax shall be uni
| formily collected from all who are Ii
able
POLICE DEPARTMENT.
Cost and Number of Men-The re-
| port of the sergeant acting as chief,
| of the police department.. shows that
| the cost OF the department for the year
| 1897 was S36.5S4.S6 and that the num-
her of men regularly employed is 80.
| Special officers were employed during
the Pioneer Jubilee an on other occa-
sions at an aggregate cost OF s7Ss.20.
Condition-While the report shows
that the department is in fairly good
condition / am of the opinion that 1t
| Is not as efficient as 1t should have
| bene under more favorable conditions.
| Thorough discipline Is vital neces-
sity in the police department, but this
| cannot be enforced unless the chief
is fully sustained in all his legal acts
by the appointing and controlling au-
| thority.
Fire and Police Board--The object OF
| the creation of a board of fire and
| police commissioners was to take these
| departments entirely out OF politics.
so that when the services of good and
efficient men We're secured they would
he retained during good behavior.
though the political complexion of adj
illustrations might change every two
years. While the intention of the law
was good, and in many other cities
n similar one has worked most bene-
| ficially. in our case It has proved a mis-
/ Ia fnst to ~ tn
cite the causes which lead to this re-
suit. They are known to you all. The
| law creating the fire and police COM
mission has been repealed and the con-
| troll of those departments reverts to the
Mayor and Council under the provis-
ions of State law and the ordinances OF
the city. 1t is to be hoped that under a
wise and judicious policy. greater har-
| mony and efficiency will obtain in these
most important departments. where the
| lives and property of our citizens are
| constantly involved, Should 1t be found
necessary to make changes. they should
he made in the interest of harmony, by
removing all dlscordant elements. II
any exist, and securing the very best
service possible in both the fire and
| police departments.
City Jail-The condition of the city
| Jail is such as to have called forth adj
verse reports from grand juries who
| have inspected it, ms also from the
| press of the city. Demands for n new
Jail have frequently been heard, and
there appears to be no difference OF
| opinion as to the inadequacy OF the
present structure. Humanity as well as
public policy would seem to demand
the erection of a new prison so soon as
the finances of the city will at all justi-
| fly. In the meantime I suggest that. II
not inconsistent. some arrangement be
made with Salt Lake county to take
/ n N rfro faf n ha Inn t,,,n ntt lie,
oners, and that the old Jail be cleaned
and renovated so as to afford better
| accommodations TO such short time
prisoners as It will comfortably hold.
Police Court-There were 2.171 offenses
charged in the police court during the
lected
FIRE DEPARTMENT.
Cost and Number of Men-The cos,
of maintenance of the fire department
for the year 1897 was 500. 296. 81, and the
number of men regularly employed was
81. including the chief.
Condition-The department is re-
ported as being in good working condi-
tion. but as the same conditions have
existed here as in the police depart
ment. as high n standard of efficiency
has probably not been reached as would
have been under more favorable con-
ditions. This branch of the municipal
serNice IL oi such importance 10 the
property-owners that every encourage
ment possible. consistent with other
demands, should be extended to It.
The fire department, as well as the
police department Is again placed UNI.
der the immediate control OF the Mayor
and City Council, and no doubt that by
all working together in harmony. much
greater proficiency can be attained.
LAW DEPARTMENT.
City Attorneys Ohice--The city at
torncy's report shows that twenty
eight cases have been finally disposed
OF during the year. Fourteen new cases
We're begun and forty-two remain I'M
disposed of; In these damages In an