Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1903-05-28
THE RESERVOIR QUESTION.

An ample water supply for this city
seems to be assured this year. No mat
ter how many representations OF a
falling Off may be proclaimed, II Is
pretty certain that there Is enough
snow stored IN the mountain gulches
and raylnes toserye our purpose for the
season, and that II has been held back
from too rapid liquidation by the
cool rains and low temperature Of this
exceptional spring But as I'm time Of
peace we should prepare for war, so in
time Of plenty we ought 10 prepare for
scarcity
The Utah lake project, which no
doubt will materialize some day all
right Is too indefinite as to time for
this city to walt upon with safety. II
Is on that account that the reservoir
proposition has come TO the front, For
some occult reason. the most prominent
agitators ola few months ago for the ex-
penditure Of 100000 on reservoir In
Parleys canyon at the same site as
that recently proposed, now stand vlo-
lently in opposition 10 the suggestion
that $4,000 be spent this season for
that purpose, to be followed by further
work as fast as It can be done and
paid for
The City Council or at least a major
ity thereof, appear determined to do
something TO obtain an additional
water supply for the city without UNI
necessary delay. They explain hat
the income from water assessments
has greatly increased and Is becoming
larger every year, and that this war
rants the outlay proposed for this and
succeeding years. Also that the work
can be so accomplished that the reser-
voir can be utilized to the extent OF
that work from year to year, the capac-
ity increasing as 1t goes on and the
water stored and used accordingly.
on the other hand it is argued by OPP
ponents OF this plan that the contract
for the whole construction must be let
al once, and that bonds must be is
sued for It's payment to the amount OF
100000 or sS5oo0O. When the same
parties were eager to make a start OF
100000 we expressed the opinion that
this was but a feeler and mat a bond
ing scheme was behind the movement.
II is evident that this Is one of the
chief motors in the reservoir agitation.
Much strife is being stirred up over this
matter, and a great deal Of misrepre-
sentation is made against the pay'as'
you-go advocates.
Now, we are very doubtful OF the sue
cess OF any attempt to increase the
bonded Indebtedness Of the city for any
purpose 1t was by hard pressing that
the last bond election was carried in Its
favor. In the present temper OF the
people as TO taxation and public DEBT
we do not believe bonds would be voted
even for reservoir. As We have stated
heretofore, II is estimated that no mat
ter how much money might be in sight
no more than $4,000 could be profitably
expended this year upon the work
That amount can be made available
and more looms in sight for next year.
because Of Increased water-using and
the income therefrom. Then why not
20 ahead with the work to the extent
proposed?
The site for the reservoir Is a very
important matter. II is by no means
certain that the place selected Is the
best that can be chosen in Parley's can
yon. Objections have been raised
against It, and published, that are GER
tainly worthy of consideration. II Is
quite likely that Mountain Dell would
furnish better openings and a surer To-
cation for the purpose. We believe a
smaller reservoir than the one contem-
plated could be constructed at once
with the means at hand. That would
fll the bill for time at least, ana
other measures could be adopted later
We hope the City Council viii not
decide on this important question until
the grounds have been thoroughly In
speoted. We have several times d.
rected attention 90 the mouth OF Lambs
canyon as a site for one reservoir II
has a proper ground formation, a fine
stream OF pure water and offers easy
facilities FOR the purpose designed All
the places at the Dell should be exam
ined as wen as that, and they should
be compared with the spot first pro-
posed with its many Disadvantages,
What Is decided upon should be the re-
suit Of careful and thorough scrutiny
for reservoir building Is a serious work,
ana safety must be assured as well as
capacity. or the labor win be In vain
and the expenditure wasted
We advise the city Council to act In
perfect freedom as to private schemes
and personal projects. The public In
terest present and future, ought 10 BE-
kent In View and permanent benefit
be secured Now is a good time TO get
ready for another seasons needs. Econ
omy Is required, but not stln.iness.
And every member OF that body shoLtd
have IN mind the fact that his acts vii
pe scruiinl2od by the public. an' the
future will demonstrate the purpose OF
his present course Right inteatl9D.
good judgment and determination 70
refrain from jobbery and iaitizan
schemes viii stand the test Of time
and prove far move profitable In the
cad than a course TO the contrary
s-=