Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1902-04-17


cessary to settle the rights Of water
takers in Utah county, so that the
lake, which Is their common source Of
supply might not be reduced below the
point necessary for the flow required
through the Jordan River channel Ac-
cording TO the notion put forth by the
City Attorney the city had no right TO
make such proposition nor to unite
with those companies in the prosecution
Of the pending suits.
II the city had the right to obtain
the aid of the canal companies for the
lowering Of the channel, which was
proposed when that scheme was start
ed, II has the right TO join with them
in erecting a pumping plant to effect
| the same object in much less expen-
slye way. The canal companies are re-
| quired TO furnish $4,000 towards the
expenses incurred In the attempt to
lower the channel The work actually
| done so far as II would be Of any benefit
| TO those companies Is not worth more
than $4,000. In fact the city has eS-
pended lot of money In connection
with that scheme that Is not Of any
benefit whatever to the canal com
panies, which are now willing to unite
with the city TO accomplish the de-
sired object in a much more feasible
and inexpensive manner.
The chief reason why the canal COM
panIes desire to join with the city in
this matter Is not, as falsely lntlmated,
10 obtain some charitable or beneyo-
lent aid from this municipality, but to
prevent litigation that might ensue II
they erected the pumping plant at their
own expense on the grounds selected
which are in control Of the
city. A disposition has been
manifested by certain city officials to
enjoin those canal companies II the
city does not Join them This would
open questions which It is for the pc
cunlary interest and welfare Of Salt
Lake City not to have agitated in the
courts.
We know what we are talking about
In this connection, and we say, most |
emphatically that It Is quite as much |
at least for the interest OF the city TO
unite with these canal companies, and
thus secure water without which a
large portion of the gardens and
grounds within municipal limits will
dry up and become comparatively
worthless, as It Is for the canal COM
panies to engage In the work If they
are compelled to proceed with this pro-
ject without the citys participation,
the loss win be eventually on the side
OF the city, and those who are oppos-
ing the measure will have to face the
before the people who viii
thus be materially injured.
II there are any valid objections to
the pumping scheme, they should be
set forth plainly 50 that their worth
may be calculated But to found the
obstruction upon so glazing peryer-
sion Of the letter, spirit and meaning
Of the State Constitution as that pres
ented, is so puerile and absurd as 10
excite the scorn as well as the rislblli-
lies Of all rational investigators.
We have explained the reasons adj
vanced by the North Jordan Canal
FOR not agreeing to join with
the city and the three canal companies
which are willing 10 unite for mutual
benefit; but this does not seem 70 PEN
citrate the thinking capacity Of the
Tribune writer. who has been trying
% support the veto and the legal per-
version on which II Is founded It
would be useless 10 descant further on
| subject 50 plain that even that writer
'ught not TO err therein. But the con.
lection Of the North Point Canal with
his matter, imagined by that writer,
ppears to be regarded by him as a
natter of fact The Tribune says, edl-
ORALLY, "We were quite well aware Of D.,
he attitude Of the North Point Canal !,
'onmany, having taken occasion here
ofore TO condemn its attitude Of aloof-
ess from all the combinations, from >
he first"
That is exceedingly amusing. Why
hould that company be condemned for "
Is "sloofness, when II has had no
interest in the project either from the
rst' or 10 the last. Its canal is dis
met and "aloof' and in a different .
art Of the county, away off from the -
egion where the canal companies de-
ring TO unite with the city have to :,
raw their supply. IL has no "
with them. II Is not inter- -
'ted in the pumping project. and
lerefore is not to be- either condemned
praised for the "aloofness" for which -
lie Tribune says 1t h% criticised it .,
rom the first"
The truth is the Tribune has made -
Mother big bunder for the North
pint Canal company has not been =
entioned In association with the Ques- =
on now considered, either by that pa ~
'r or any other until now. Some "
lends OF the Tribune should take ~
APP Of Salt Lake county to It, and ~
low how remote Is the North Point "
nal from the locality In which the "
her canal companies are interested, "
ID how far-fetched is the notion that ~
e North Point people ought 10 be In ~
@ "combination' to erect the pump "
g plant ~
Before taking side on any question ~
public moment. a contestant should va
I'm something Of that which he wants
talk about. To use the Tribune's uo
I'D language. the North Point Canal ut