Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1902-12-23
DISCUSSING THE
WATER QUESTION
important Conference Held Yes
terday and Today
ARBITRATION THE WORD.
scheme IL to Settle Conflicting Water
Rights and Push Utah Lake
Proposition,

There was an important conference
yesterday afternoon in the offices OF
President Angus NJ. Cannon OF the salt
Lake Stake, between the Church OFF,
cials OF nine stakes Immediately In
terested In the settlement OF the water
question, the idea being to harmonic
conflicting interests, prevent extensive
and expensive litigation, and secure the
government aid which cannot be OBJ
tanned until there Is unison In sentiment
aud purpose among the water rights
holders Of this watershed
The meeting was presided over by
President John X. Winder With Apos-
tie John Henry Smith associated. IN
vitations TO attend had been sent to all
the presidents OF the nine stakes and
their counselors. Among those present
were: President Angus NJ. Cannon, Jo-
seph +. Taylor Charles w. Penrose, +,
S. Richards, Frank Y. Taylor james X,
Miller, Edwin Bennion, James Jensen,
j. w. Fitzgerald, David John, j. Is,
Keller, Lafayette Holbrook, Abel John
Evans, Bishop Clark OF the Alpine
stake, President James w. Paxman of
the Juab stake, President Smart OF the
Wasatch stake, President Moses w.
Taylor OF the Summit stake, and many
other prominent churchmen.
Ii was agreed that arbitration would
be tho most appropriate way OF getting
at the matter. II was also made clear
that II the settlement OF the conflicting
water rights OF the different sections
and counties was taken into court liti-
through many years, and besides cost
ing enormous sums Of money IN law
suits. Il would defeat the effort TO get
aid from the general government for
the Utah lake proposition.
The meeting was adjourned until II
a. m. today. when Col Holmes met
the stake representatives for con-
ference.
TODAY'S MEETING.
The object OF today's gathering was
to ascertain II the interests OF the ca
nal companies could not be merged, 80
that Utah could share IN the govern
ment funds 10 be expended for irriga-
ton purposes.
The meeting Is being held in President
Angus II. Cannon's Office and crafty
ing progress Is being made. The com.
mittec designated by the four canal
companies outside Of salt Lake City.
met this morning. and adopted a resolu-
ton looking towards a union OF Inter.
ests between the four companies and
the securing of Utah lake as a reser-
voir. and to designate a committeeman
IN addition 10 the president OF each can.
al company, 10 meet as a sub-commit-
tee associated with Col. +. f. Holmes
State Engineer Doremus and +. $.
Richards The duty OF this body win
he TO recommend measures for approx
nj or rejection by the four canal com.
panies and upon approval the meas
ures will be submitted TO the stockhold-
ers Of the canal companies as soon as
possible. 30 as 10 be IN a position 90 So
llcit government aid. and make OF Utah
lake the much needed reservoir. II IS
understood that other members Of COM
mlttees elected by boards and City En-
pineer Kelsey, viii be NJ liberty 90 meet
with the subcommittee. as may be con.
venient. they only being allowed 20
vote when the whole committee meets.
OUTLOOK ENCOURAGING.
The subcommittee was in session
this afternoon In President Cannon's
office. and the outlook Ia encouraging
for a consolidation OF interests. With
the owners and claimants q water
rights on the watershed acting In har-
mOny with the canal companies. there
will be no difficulty in united action by
ell concerned.