Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1902-08-01
THE WATER CONTROVERSY.
Farmers Ward. July 81. 100.


90 the controversy between the owners
Of primary rights In Parley's Canyon
creek water and Salt Lake city; that
you should know that what you publish
at least approxlmates the truth.
The foregoing Is a sample Of COM
municatlons on different subjects oc-
casonally received by the editor. We
do not give the name Of the writer. out
OF respect for that gentleman, who Is
q highly esteemed citizen and repre-
sentative OF the farmers interests in
the water dispute with Salt Lake City.
The letter was evidently written in the
spirit Of anger which has led a number
Of our friends into threatening and at
tempting to violate the law, in the ex-
tremlty TO which they have been re-
duced through the lack Of water TO ir-
rlgate their fields, and the failure OF the
city, rs they claim, TO fulfill its con-
tract with them.
We can make full allowance for the
excitement under which our farmer
friends are laborlng. when they see
their crops perishing for lack of the
water which is their due. and which
they believe IL being purposely with
held from them. At the same time they
are not justified In supposing that this
paper II taking sides with the city In
this controversy, or is publishing any
thing concerning It but that which Is
derived from authentic sources The
Deseret News has built up a permanent
reputation for reliability, fairness, and
independence which is recognized by
people Of all shades OF opinion through
out this State and wherever it clrcu-
lates. Everything that has appeared in
Its columns on the water question is
believed TO be correct, or II would not
30 into print; all our readers may fully
depend upon that.
There are, OF course. two sides at
least 10 this controversy. Now, in all
candor. would II not have been much
better for our correspondent to send US
his side OF the question and that OF
his associates, so that It might appear
in our columns, than TO write us the
letter we have given above. Grumb-
ling In an irritable manner without fur
nishing information which is thought
10 be necessary and for the public benz
eft, does no good, but only appears
childish and petulant. The farmers
who want "the truth to be presented
in the columns Of this paper, should
see to II that the particulars as they
understand them are furnished TO the
editor.
The News" OF Thursday evening
contained In It's local columns an ac-
count which we understand to be en-
tlrely correct, and which was submitted
to one Of the parties on the farmers
side Of the dispute, and after "A little
calm reflection was pronounced salts
factory. At first that gentleman strong
ly objected to It, because the Deseret |
News did not denounce the city au-
thoritles as a "set OF thieves and rob- |
bers." But, as he afterwards perceived. !
that would have been no argument and |
would not have helped the farmers |
cause one whit
Now, We submit 10 the farmers and !
the city authorities that much more
viii be accomplished by coming togeth- |
er in a spirit OF amlty and mutual ac-
commodation, than by resortIng either
TO physical or legal. force. To start |
with, IT is wrong TO suppose that the
city wishes 10 rob the farmers. The
trouble has originated through scarcity |
Of water This Is not peculiar 70 salt |
Lake City and County, Its effects are |
experienced in many other parts Of this |
State, and OF other States.
We believe that the complaint Of tho
farmers is well founded. They have not |
been receiving their due quantity Of lr- |
Iigating fluid. The supply has been far |
below the demand. II the city had not |
been hampcrcd with the obstruction |
raised against projects for increasing |
the supply, in all probability this dis
pute would not have arisen. II the
plant had been inauguratcd |
at the time appointed, and the mattress
factory water had been obtained ms |
soon as needed, the flow in the canal
would not have shrunk to lis present
meager proportions, and the city would
have probably been able TO fulfil It's
contract with the farmers.
However. pointing out the errors Of
the past win not remedy the evils OF
the present and what is needed now is
a unity OF feeling and effort on the
part Of all who are interested IN the
controversy to bring about a better
state Of things Immediately. The farm
ers outside the city must not think that
the people inside the city have no water
grievances or water rights. There are
city lots which have become almost
for want OF water. to which
they have undoubted legal rights These
have TO be considered in the settle
ment OF this important question. and
Il is wrong, particularly FOR the peo-
pie who settled this part OF the coun-
try, and their immediate descendants.
10 Ignore the needs and claims Of their
fellows when standing up for their own
rights and privileges.
We should all be governed by the
principles Of equity, justice. and mercy,