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

MAYOR CLARK's MESSAGE.
One thing is made clear by Mayor
Clark's message: He has been going
through the several departments of the
city government thoroughly, and with
incisive penetration and rare business
ability has formed conclusions as to
their needs and future management.
Sound sense stands out in every para
graph of the document, which strongly
confirms the claims and predictions
put forth by the friends of the move
ment which elected John Clark, to the
effect that he would give the city Il
clear able, thorough-going business
administration. and the taxpayers the
full worth of their money.
The degree of success attained by the
Citizens Reform movement has per-
ceptibly strengthened the credit of the
city, and stiffened the quotations on
city bonds. The latter are now quoted
at substantial premium, and, as the
Mayor says, there Is every reason to
believe that "a funding issue bearing
four per cent interest could be sold at
par. Such business facts as these tell
a straight and strong story, and prove
that the city would reap immense ad-
vantages from the total elimination of
politics from its control.
The Mayors observations respect
ing the police and fire departments are
characterized by the sound, practical
sense that forms so prominent an ele-
ment of the whole message. Safety to
life and property and the proper en-
forcement of law, are among the vital
public interests involved in these two
subdivisions of the city government
and the paramount Importance of
maintaining proper discipline, together
with high standard of efficiency in
both Of them, Is too obvious to require
pointing out. 1t is equally clear that
them, 1t will demoralize them. The
moral Of all this is plain and resistless.
There Is small necessity for a board
OF public works in this city at this
time, and will be for q considerable
period. for the reason, among others,
that the city will not be able to un-
dertake any expensive public improve
ments until In much better financial
condition than now. 1t Is therefore
perfectly consistent with the best In
terests of the city to consolidate the
craftsmanship of the board with the
office of city engineer, as the Mayor
recommends. There are too many
municipal offices.
The recommendations Of the mes
sage In regard to the various city de-
partments are incontestably In line with
correct business principles and prac-
tees. ana they ought to be carried out.
NO person would be injured thereby
ana great saving to the city would
be effected. The recommendation that
the several departments make inven-
tories OF city property in
them Is surprise for the
reason that 1t is necessary.
The fact that such inventories have not
heretofore been kept, and strictly too,
Is suiiicient proof of the laxity with
which the city's interests have been
guarded by the officers in charge of
them' ana OF the necessity of introduce
ing business methods into the manage
ment of the municipality.
1t Is quite evident that q revision
OF the city ordinances is necessary in
order that they'may be made to har-
monize with the Constitution and laws
nf N IN TO l,A 10.