The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1898-08-24

In authorizing the city engineer and
the watermaster to Immediately pro-
coed to execute the formers plan OF
increasing the water supply for the
pipe system at least a million gal
Ions daily, at a merely nominal ex-
pense, the city council last evening
evinced a willingness to provide d
measure of relief for the drouth-
stricken city; but the future was left
to take care of itself, and the combined
opposition to the project of authorizing
the engineer to investigate as to the
best method of procuring additional
water and increasing the efficiency or
the system, was triumphant. Another
scheme to utilize canal and artesian
water for street sprinkling purposes,
thus easing up the strain on the pipe
system, was Sidetracked by reference
to a committee, and a plan to adopt
method of holding two days supply
of water in reserve from wasted over
flows was ingloriously defeated. Much
dependence was placed by the solons
on the promise of early rains, cooler
weather and deep snowfalls to put
speedy end to the water famine. Ac-
cording to the views OF many of the
councilmen, a merciful providence
would soon give adequate relief with
out cost TO the taxpayers, while arti-
fetal remedies were beyond the reach
of the municipality in its present finan-
cially distressed condition.
RELIEF CAME THIS MORNING.
While the council was discussing the
subject in all its ramifications, City
Engineer Kelsey was on the east bench
with a gang of men waiting for a
given signal to execute the anticipated
order. No sooner had the move been
decided upon than the engineers force
went to work to turn all the Emigra-
ton canyon water from the pipe line
through a f1ume into the Parley's ca
nal at the head of First South street.
Almost simultaneously the water flow
ing into the Parley's canal from the
reservoir at the mouth of the canyon
was cut off and turned into the con-
duit, all going into the city's pipe sys-
tenn. City Engineer Kelsey's move
makes abortive any attempt on the
part of anyone to sue out injunction
for the purpose of en-
barraSsing the municipality in in
creasing the supply of water, as has
been done. AT an early hour this morn
ing the changes were made, and with
the loss of Seepage, evaporation and
theft from the Parley's canal stopped,
the supply for the pipe system viii re-
Ions daily. However, the water in all
the canyon streams is receding at an
alarming rate, a measurement of Par
leyS creek last night showing 1,50C, 600
gallons daily less than on the 18th
inst, when the volume was 6.S00,000
gallons every "a hours, the city's share |
of it being so per cent.
THE WATERMASTER INVOLVED.
The infallible yet varying wisdom of |
the entire council was reflected on the |
water question. Every |
one talked and some of the more pug |
naciouS advocates and belligerent op- !
ponents took the floor oftener than a !
strict construction of the rule would |
permit. Every now and then personal !
bitterness would develop during the |
course of the debate, all caused by the |
eagerness with which the councilmanic |
friends of Watermaster Seldom flew to |
his defense, whenever by innuendo it |
was made to appear that the water |
master was either negligent in the per
formance of his duties or incompetent |
to protect the city's water rights, and |
supervise a proper distribution of the
supply.
PARLEY'S CANAL.
The discussion in the council COM
nenced when the committees on water
works and irrigation, acting jointly,
the adoption of certain
portions of the city engineers sugges-
tons relative to increasing the city's
water supply. The conclusions of the
Joint committee were published ex-
clusively in yesterdays Herald.
That part of the report recommends
ng the changes which were made last
night by the city engineer was object
I'd to by Callister, who believed the
Parley's canal could not be safely
abandoned by the city. Allen called
Tor the reading of the contract with
he Pleasant View farmers relative to
he construction and use of the ditch
It appeared therefrom that the city
could abrogate the contract at any
lime. and the discussion on this par
ocular point ceased.
Howe antagoniZed the recommended
ion to make the conduit carry all the
oarleyS water which the city owRS
because Susan Dudler, who claims
light to 10000 gallons daily by adverse
Usage, although her pretended title is
lot of record, could not get what water
;he is entitled to. Howe feared a law
'uit from Mrs. Dudler, and expressed
he belief that she could be compro-
missed with by buying out her claim.
RIGHTS OF TRESPASSERS.
Allen ventured to remark that Howe
to be very solicitous about
drs. Dudler, if not partial toward her
This thrust was Indignantly repealed
~ Howe with a disclaimer
Morris explained that it was the in
ention to furnish lock boxes and ac-
urately measure out from the conduit
whatever water claimants along the
anal were actually and rightfully en-
tiled to, as soon as their rights were
Allen made the same point, and
.dded, reprovingly, that it was not the
esign to deprive anyone along the
itch of water pending the determin-
ton of their rights.
Robertson contended that the report
id not so state. =
Allen replied: 81 say it does !
Robertson came back again with: Il
ay it does not
Allen-"I say it''-but the presidents {
avel cut the angry words in twain. .
Diehl declared that every one of the
ouncilmen who visited Mrs. Dudler's =
lace were convinced that she wasted
he water to irrigate five or six acres
sunflowerS, at the rate of 1000 gal |
ms a minute.
OPPOSITION VANISHES.
President Barnes suggested the in
ertion of this clause in the commit
ee's recommendation for closing the
arleys canal and sending the flow ,
Ito the conduit: Provided that the
e not disturbed" The suggestion
as accepted.
Allen moved that the city engineer
q authorized TO proceed at once to