Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1902-08-06
Still THE WATER PROBLEM.

IL writer's for the press who attempt
TO enlighten the public on local irriga'
don affairs. would obtain some infor'
nation themselves instead of relying
on the statements and opinions oil
Others before putting their notions int
cold type they would save themselves
perhaps. from exposing their own LACK
OF knowledge and from misinformlng
their readers.
The charge that the city has beer
"bunkoed" IN its connection with the
pumping plant project, is particularly
ftupid and somewhat amusing. The
three canal companies engaged in The
work of obtaining additional water by
the pumping process, have each paid
the city 1855, And what have they
received In return? Not anything al
present They are COINS ahead with
he work. however. with the prospect
that the city viii have to seek for relief
TO the very source that has been op-
posed so much, and which would have
been a boon to both the city and the
county consumers Of water. IL that OPP
position had not been raised.
When the full story of the methods
by which the suit TO enloin the city
from taking part in the pumping meas
ure Is told, II will make interesting
reading for the public II not for the
parties principally engaged in It The
particulars will keep, however, and
nay be reserved for the proper ocea.
sion. But II there has been anybody
"buncoed' It Is not the city, so far as
the doings In the pumping plant affair
ere concerned.
y is funny to see the contenders that
the city cannot legally unite. IN any
proposition for obtaining additional
water, with the county canal COM
pan,es. now advising them all to come
together and join in big measure for
that especial purpose We agree with
the movement for unity. We are not
afraid Of any bugaboo about partner
ship" We have advocated union Of
Interests In these matters all along.
we support Il now Bu, We cannot
help smiling at the opponents Of such
union for this very purpose on the
plea that II was Illegal, now clamorns
for II while still clinsing to the Old and
faiacious notion about ilIegality
AS to the suit between the Sugar
and Farmers wards people against the
city. II is put forward as a reason
why the court should not decide FOR the
farmers. that the city will be left dry
and dusty during the Biks' carnival, a
time when more water than ever VIII
be needed. The picture drawn OF the
city's necessities and probable condl-
ton in the dreaded event, Is not TO
highly colored or exaggerated, But
what sort OF legal" argument does
It furnish? II the farmers cause Is
Just. II the contract made by the city
Is binding and inelastic: II II should be
held to in it's letter and form II there
are not modifying principles which le.
gally stand in the way OF enforcing i'm
possibilities, the consequences TO the
defendant cannot be expected to cut
much of a figure in the decision
We suppose the question Of public
policy may properly be raised in this
litigation. And the fact may also be
demonstrated that under present con.
ditons the complainants are getting as
much or more water than they could
possibly have obtained n no agreement
had been entered into for the exchange
which lies at the bottom of the conten-
ton. And II may be that these viii be
judicialy considered The situation
is serious and the consequences, no
matter what the result may be are I'M
pleasant to contemplate.
We cordially endorse every effort 10
bring together the water consumers
for the purpose Of mutual benefit and
general Cancellation, The determine.
tion manifested by some persons to
force their point, no matter who sinks
or gGims; to carry their opposition 10
plans they do not endorse so
far as TO endangeT the welfare
81 an enilre community; TO
raise technical objections solely TO do
iamare and block the way Of feasible
measures for general rcliof. Is oh.
rozlous to every fair and intelligent
mind, and gives rise 70 suspicious OF
unworthy motives and schemes Tor per-
sonal benefit
Every step that can be safely iaken
and every measure that can lawfully
be devised for the general benefit
should be promoted By an influential
si,isens. The water question is up
before the whole State and also before
the entire Nation. j., should be- con.
sidcred calmly and. as far as possible,
umelilshly, that IS. Tor general instead
II personal coed This IS hard to ef-
legt but the people who settled these
mountain wales oush, 20 b. governed
BY the spiFi, under which they achieved
20 much in The bc-inninr and which
should lead them ever. Cooperation
Instead Of litigation will help to solve
the serious problem Of q general water
suppls.