Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1899-02-01
MESSAGE FROM ruE MAYOR.

We NuNlNf WV NFNW'NN W Wv hF't'Nf|h
News to give special attention to the
message u the Mayor to the city
Council. II Is n comprehensive doou-
ment aud contains Information of vai-
ue to the public. and many practical
suggestions which should be carefully
weighed by the people as well as by the
Council.
The financial reports II contains
show that the efforts TO promote econ
omy. on the part N our city fathers.
have not been In vain. There has been
decrease ~ expenditure with an In
crease Of Income In several depart
mchta. watcr-tax payers viii BE-
pirascd TO learn that while the revenue
received was ts.ui5 more than for
1857. the expenditure was iaiio less.
This suggests that a reduction Of water
rates would he In order.
The joining OF the irrigation aud
street departments under one super
visor has worked admirably and saved
the city tii.S09.ol for the year. That
speaks well for the movement and for
the officer In charge Of the work
We are doubtful NJ to the advisable
iy " Increasing tho borrowing power
Of the municipality. aa recommended
by the Mayor. The purpose he has In
View IA excellent and should be pursued
TO It, accomplishment. but the taS-pay-
crp will shrink at the ldcn 81 cnlarging
the dcbt.contraoting authority Of the
city Council. An adequate supply ~
water should undoubtedly be secured
to the city. II may be- that this cannot
be done without borrowed capital II
20. the people should determine. by pop
ular vote, whether the debt should be
contracted. and. AZ We understand n.
that In what the Mayor intends In the
event that LEGISLATION In obtained on
iarsinE the borrowing power 81 the city
nuthoritica.
The Recommendation 81 the Mayor TO
abolish the board of public works We
think Ia sound. and his reasons for II
are cogcnt. No with his references 10
fees for the inspection Of buildings. etc.
The fee system IN nuisance and
should he entirely abolished. Mt least 20
far as II Elvsa the money thus collected
TO public officers. Pay them fair sal
aries for their work. and when foes ARE
proper let them 80 into the public
treasury. As 10 building inspection.
that ~ all right. but u IN nonrensicai To
compel houscowncr who wants TO add
u kitchen. or porch. or some little Inn
provcmcnt TO his premises. TO pay Zee
FOR pcrmlt-aomelhlng for nothing.
whIchit IL In crcct. Pay the Inspector
a salary for the actual work he per-
forms.
The Mayors proposition for one gov
eminent including the city and county
may be wen enough on the score ~
economy. but We do not think Il VIII
meet with general favor. The needs
and expenses TO meet them within city
limits. are necessarily greater than
those 81 entirely rural districts. and
II would not be fair tn tax those rc.
mote parts for privileges that eau be-
only enjoyed In the compp rativcly
crowded center cily government has
It's rpecialtlcH and they should be-
specially provided FOR. We believe tho
two governments had better remain
separate for the present at least. aud
with the rnlrit ~ rctrcnchmcnt that
prevails IN both. the reduction ~ cx-
pcnrea win be continued. Tightening the
burdens NJ the taxpayer without de-
crehsing the efficiency Of tho public
service.
Ar the suggestions Of the Mayor.
however,. are offered with n vlrw To