Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1902-10-09
CITY WATER AND INSURANCE.

People who 30 around town with thelr
eyes open and their brains active, Won
der why Il is that trees in the north
west part Of the city are allowed to die
out for want Of water. both in orchards
and along the sidewalks,when stream
IL continually running down City Creek
and on into the Jordan without being
utilized for any purpose whatever
They ask why that water is not turned
into the bitches. and conducted to the
spots where II is so greatly needed. we
are not able to answer the question, but
we direct the attention Of the water de-
partment to the situation. with the
hope that something viii be done to
satisfy complainants, From what we
know OF that department, we believe
that II only requires a wise suggestion
to move the proper officers TO action. In
this dry time every drop Of lrrigating
water should be utilized. and none OF
II be allowed to run 90 waste. 1t looks
wicked TO see valuable shade aud fruit
trees whitening up. and water that
might be used TO give them life running
away and doing no good to anybody.
While we are touching IN this mat
ter, we will make suggestion as TO
simple method Of increasing the flow
OF water In City Greek. Investigation
VIII show that much Of the water In the
upper part of the creek Is lost, through
sinking and percolation. 1t finds It's
way In different directions through the
subsoil and comes out In springs, or
spreads 80 AS to form water sheets
away down below the surface of the
COLL We believe that II the city au-
shoritles will institute measures to dig
down In the bed of the creek, they VIII
strike large stream which will great
~ increase the volume OF supply, and
chat without very great cost. The
tame method VIII apply to Parley's aud
other canyon creeks.
There seems to be n misunderstanding
ing as 10 the present means OF fighting
fire In this city. The insurance COM
panies have raised their rates, inllu-
enced largely by the assumption that
this city Is poorly furnished with water
In case of connagration in the busi-
ness district. They also complain of
Inefiiciency In the fre department, and
f the accumulation Of inflammable
material at the rear OF many business
houses. The raising of the rates has
caused great furore. II IL felt TO be
unnecessary and oppressive, and the
facts alleged are likely to do much In.
Jury TO the business interests OF salt
Lake. The reports which VIII go out
10 the world win doubtless do much
damage to the reputation Of the city
as n business center
Investigation will show that while
dry-goods boxes and similar recepla-
cles for goods received, must OF neces-
slty be piled up occasionally to some
extent In the vacant places at the een-
ser OF business blocks, they are usually
removed as soon as practicable, and the
danger likely to arise from that source
IS greatly exaggerated. But surprising
n 10 be all that is claimed Il Is some
thing that can be remedied by strict
or enforcement OF the city ordinance in
relation 10 It. This can be accomplish
ed without any great trouble, and thus
one OF the reasons set forth for the
raising OF insurance rates can be swift
Iy swept away
Now, as to the inefhciency OF the IRE
department It is true. perhaps, that
some better appliances and a few more
men are needed In the IRE department
Complaints have been made OF
long absences on the part Of
the, fire chief, who should be
at his post, ready for action, instead Of
spending time in political work which
should be occupied in attending to the
duties OF his office. Visits 20 the east
ought not 10 interfere With that which
needs to bd done at home, but We be-
lieve that these have usually been ar
ranged for by action Of the city Coun-
ell. improvements In these particulars
can be accomplished readily, and thus
another az the objections raised by the
insurance people can be met eifeetually.
This leaves for consideration the most
formidable ground taken as an excuse
for the raising OF the rates. We believe
Il 10 be without substantial basis
While It Is true that, through the folly
and obstinacy of certain city officials
the water supply in the city was re-
! duced for short time, II Is now ade-
! ouatc for fire purposes as well as for
street sprlnkling. More than that
much water, as we have shown in one
instance, is running away TO waste. We
/ do not believe there Is any need for the
close restrictions US to lawn sprinkling
1 There is water enough at hand for all
necessary purposes.
The reservoir built for the very pur'
pose Of security In case OF fire Is ful
! 10 the brim. and the pressure upon the
mains is greater than that TO be found
in the majority Of the cities Of thu
country. It is kept at from =
10 1o5 pounds How much more
I do the insurance men want
why not state the facts on this point
4 instead Of giving the city a black ey'
to her prejudice in face OF the business
4 world?
B We affirm. with substantial reasons
+ for the declaration. that Salt Lake Cts