The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1900-08-04
C|TY'S WATER SUPPLY
Discussed at Length By Council
Committee Last Night.
RIGHTS TOBE PROTECTED
STOP WILL BE PUT TO EXTRAVA-
CANT WASTE.

A large volume could be written of
the discussions before the council COM
mitteeS on irrigation and WaterWOrks
of water, the scarcity of supply and
means that should be taken to prevent
persons who claim an interest in
streams which supply the city from
stealing the municipalities flow by the
ditchful, and measures that should be
enforced to stop the extravagant waste
out of the pipe system in the city.
The matter of the thefts of water was
brought up by Land and Water Com
missioner Westerfeld, who related how
some of the ranchers in Parley's canon
who have so far declined to sell their
land and water rights TO the city, are
taking water by the ditchful from the
canon creek without regard for the mu-
nicipafity's prime rights in the stream.
In many cases, he said, enough water
was wasted on less than a dozen of
acres to irrigate over a hundred acres
of dry land
The commissioner added, however,
that he had diverted the city's water
to the proper channel wherever these
fragrant conditions existed, but in con-
sequence of his action the city had been
threatened with damage suits.
City VIII Protect It's Rights.
With one accord the assembled coun-
cilmen endorsed the action of Commits
sioner Westerfeld, and decided that
they would adhere to the policy of Civ
ing the owners of the Young ranch and
the Mountain Summer resort, in par
ticular, all the fight they wanted in the
courts. 1t was the consensus of opin-
ion that the question of settling water
right differences in Parley's canon
would soon be adjusted. for if the land
owners who are holding out for big
prices do not come to terms by pur-
chase. their property will be taken from
them for the public good by condemna-
ton proceedings, and then the city will
have no partners in the water rights
of the canon stream.
The matter of making regulations for
campers and pleasure seekers in the
canon in the interest of guarding the
purity of the stream was referred to
the city attorney TO draw an ordinance
to cover the rapidly changing condi-
tons in Parley's canon.
Detectives to Catch MASTERS.
With the Parley's canon questions
disposed. of, the WaterWorks committee
took I'D superintendent Hines recon-
mendation that inspectors be employed
to apprehend persons who persist in US
ing water out of prescribed hours for
their lawns and gardens, and who let
water run at all hours of the day and
night out of open taps and from hose
with nozzle attachment. The super
intendent declared that the waste of
water in this time of great scarcity
from these unlawful means is some
Il
who are on lines where the pressure
is light from getting any water at any
time, except when spOOkS are around,
for any purpose.
The committee realized the import
ance Of acting in the emergency. and
decided to reco Amend to the council
that seven inspectors be employed to
do detective work at a salary of 81 a
day each.
Memorial to Congress.
Next considered was a communica-
ton from Commissioner Hermann of
the general land Office relating to the
city's memorial to congress for the ces-
sion of all of the unOccupied public
lands in the canon water sheds in the
mountains east of the city in order To
| give the municipality exclusive control
of the watershed lands. The communi-
cation stated that it would be unWise
TO attempt TO secure a eession of all
| the lands desired as one tract, but that
separate reservations for each unoccu-
pied piece would undoubtedly be grant
| ed by congress.
The suggestion of the commissioner
was taken as the basis of the commit
tees direction to the city attorney to
draft new memorial to be presented
! to congress by Utah's representatives.
Removal of Tracks.
The project that is so strenuously
| urged by LeGrand Young and repre-
! sentative property owners in the south
ern and southeastern parts of the city
for the municipality to aid in the task
of inducing the Rio Grande Western
Railway company to move its tracks
| that run east on Eighth South street
to less Objectionable parts south, be-
| yond the city limits, received addition
al impetus from the committee on mu-
nicipal laws last evening. The commit
! tee saw the force Of the logic of the
| petitioners that the value of property
| from a taxing standpoint would be
! greatly enhanced if the Objectionable
| tracks could be moved through the eff
| forts of the council. and the complain
/ ing property owners, and the commit
| tee agreed to raise the amount of the
| city'S bonus heretofore offered
Judge Young stated that all that he
had been able TO raise was $1,000, which
/ with the So 900 agreed by the city to be
/ given, left So, 900 to raise before the
railroad company would consent tc
| abandon its franchise on Eighth South
| street.
Raise the Bonus