The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1900-01-03

Last night at the first regular meet
ing of the new council, Mayor Thomp-
son submitted a brief message, outlin-
ing his policy. He proposes many things
which he hopes Will improve the vari-
Gus city departments. The message
bears the earmarks Of Private Score
tary Dennis Efchn0r. It contains much
legal verbiage and some of the recon-
mendatiOns are apparently for political
effect The message follows;
Salt Lake City, Utah,
Jan. ?, 1909
Gentlemen:-I submit herewith my
first message to you AT some future
time I Will transmit the reports Of the
heads Of the departments for the fiscal
year ending Dee. 81, 1883, and also
statement showing the financial condl-
ton Of the city.
Health of the City.
The health of the people Of Salt Lake
CITY is of the highest Importance in the
municipal government. our city, bless
7, ed with a most excellent climate, should
suffer very little from contagious dis
eases. Such diseases in the first in
stances are usually traceable to infrac-
tons Of sanitary laws, and afterwards
the spreading Of these diseases results
from a lax Enforcement Of the quaran-
tine laws, as provided by ordinances
The first requisite TO good health in
our community is to keep the city
thoroughly clean, and if there is neglI-
gence in this respect, legal steps shall
be taken TO compel obedience. Every
citizen owes a solemn duty to the city,
as well as to himself. 10 keep his prem
= Uses clean and free from causes breed
ing diseases.
The sanitary laws. statutory as well
as municipal and the rules and regu-
1atiOns of our board of health, must be
Tigidly enforced without fear or favor.
To decrease disease viii necessarily
lessen the death rate of our city
earnestly recommend that the officers
charged with the administration of our
laws CT health be not circumscribed in
their work for want of necessary
means.
Water Supply.
The citizen has the right to demand
pure water. Our various sources OF
water must be kept strictly clean.
Wherever there is any contamination
or pollution of water within the city
limits, vigorous measures must be
taken under ordinances to abate the
evil. Any act befCuling our water sys-
TEN outside Of the jurisdiction of the
city may be proceeded against under
section 1874 Of the revised statutes Of
Utah, making il a misdemeanOr to be-
foul any stream Of water used for do
nestle purposes 1 shall instruct the
persons having charge Of our water de-
partment that if any Offense of this
kind is being committed, to secure the
facts and at once institute criminal
proceedings through the proper Irose-
cutting officer.
Our water supply at certain times
Of the year is wholly inadequate TO
meet the wants Of the inhabitants. The
city is rapidly increasing in pOpula-
ton. and before very long we win num-
Der 100000 people. With an
increasing population, and extern
sion of the sprinklipge districts from
time 10 time, il Is self-eVident that we
must have larger supply of water I
think the time mas come for Us 10 act
effecJually on the situation as it exists.
The longer this subject is postponed,
the more expensive it viii finally prove
TO Salt Lake City. Various plans have
been suggested from time To time to
improve the city'S water system The
plan which / consider the safest and
best for all concerned is to acquire the
water rights Of Big Cottonwood. This
might be accomplished by an exchange
of part of our present Eater system
with the owners of said rights, and also
by purchase where it would be neces-
sary.
Favors Bond Issue.
I am aware that the present condi-
ton Of the City's finances does not war
rant extensive improvements The lat
ter part of section Of article XIV Of
- the constitution Of Utah, permits a city
70 incur Indebtedness in excess Of the
debt limit for the purpose of improving
its water system. Such a proposition
must be submitted at special election
10 the taxpayers Of the municipality
for their acceptance or rejection.
II the result Of such an election
would be in the affirmative, bonds could
be issued TO fund the indebtedness. This
plan would be better than direct taxa
ton 1 most respectfully ask you, gen
tlemen. to investigate this water cues
ton carefully. and obtain an estimate
Of the probable cost Of the improve
ment as contemplated. I earnestly
urge an early consideration Of this i'm
pOrtant subject
\ Whatever rights the city may have
in lands and waters controlled by the
city, must be firmly protected. We
VIII defend those rights, even if il lis
necessary TO go TO the highest tribunal
Tor adjudication / respectfully recon-
mend that the Office Of land and water
commissioner be created, and that the
duties Of such a commissioner be 20
look carefully after the property and
water rishts Of the city and also to
Keep full and complete record of our
titles to the same
The suit Of salt Lake City VS. Salt
Lake CITY Water & Electrical Power
company. Allen q. LamSOn CT al, now
pending in court strongly suggests the
need for This Office. the expenses TO the
city in this suit alone will be far greater
than the salary of a land and water
commissioner would amount to for a.
number os years.
Assets Of the City.
At present no records are kept IN the
city auditors Office showing the correct
value Of any property, real or personal,
owned BIZ the city. 1 recommend that
at an early date the city council have
value placed upon the same. This
suggestion, if carried out. would en-
able tine clt- to make a proper state
ment of its assets, as well as Liabilities.
when the occasion requires it,
1 suggest that an ordinance be passed
fixing a definite salary for the inspector
of buildings. and requiring him to turn
all fees Of the Office into the city treas
ury.
/ also recommend that the Offices Of
oil inspector and sealer Of weights and
measures be consolidated, and a fixed
salary be provided for such officer, and
that the fees Of the Office be deposited
in the city treasury.
The ordinances Of our city have not
been revised and complied since 1892.
This work ough+ to be done without
unnecessary delay.
Third South street. between West
Temple and State streets should be
paved as soon as practicable.
Recommends Wage Increase.