The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1904-12-16
THE WATER PROPOSITION.

THE REAL ESTATE association has
decided to oppose the proposed is
sue of bonds Tor an extension of the
water supply, in a representative as
sembly, half of the members of the
association being present. In general
terms, the objections outlined follow
in general terms Mr.. Dooly's campaign
of opposition; and, like Mr.. Dooly, the
DIRECTORS confine themselves to criti-
cism without proposing any alterna-
tive plan.
1t does not appear that the city au-
thorities were invited to present their
arguments i'm favor Of the plan they
propose, so that the discussion must
of necessity have been one-sided and
possibly prejudiced by that fact.
Two points of opposition are made
clear: The association believes the con-
tract between the city and farmers.
as now drawn up, is altogether too
liberal toward the farmers, in the
amount of water given by the city in
exchange for the Cottonwood water,
and also in the conditions which gov
ern the exchange, particularly as to
the right of the Cottonwood farmers
TO reclaim their supply in case the
city fails to deliver the specified amount
called for by the contract. A legal
opinion, drawn by a responsible firm,
also suggests the possibility of dam
age suits in case of the city's failure
TO deliver water as agreed.
If the contract is unjust there should
be little difficulty in determining that
fact, and it is certain the city admin
istration would insist on a revision or
rejection of the contract unless it is
fair; but the DIRECTORS so far have
made no proposal for revision in terms,
nor suggested a contract which. in
their opinion. would be equitable. If,
as the association declares, it is in
favor of a better water supply it ought
to bring forward a form of contract
which it considers acceptable or else
show how an increase in the water
supply can be secured within the finan-
cial limits of the city's resources.
Another and it seems the conclu-
sive reason for the opposition devel-
oped in the association, is the desire
of the members and their outside
friends TO have the expenditure of the
proposed bonds placed in the hands of
a water commission apart from the
city council. Annexed to this declara-
ton is a disclaimer Of any intention
TO reflect on the personnel of the pres
ent council.
1t is pretty well understood that this
plan for a water commission to ham
die the funds is back of the chief OBJ
position to the whole scheme for an
increase in the water supply One Of
the aspirants for place on or under
this water commission has been active
in the opposition and has framed the
. chief literary productions against it.
So far, there has been no loud popu-
lar clamor for such commission, and
In view OF the legal difficulties that
might arise. the scheme 10 create SEN
timent in favor OF a commission might
well be abandoned until the main
proposition has been settled.
Possibly a city council might be in
adequate or unfit to control so large
an undertaking, but it is a confession
of municipal incompetency to assume
that the people of Salt Lake cannot
secure a council which could act in
diligently or honestly in this mat
ter
The one salient objection that has
been raised against the mayors plan
is the contract with the farmers. and
the legal advisers OF the mayor and
city engineer, who are competent law
yers. insist that the city's interests
are amply safeguarded by the terms
of the contract. That. it seems to US,
Is the vital point Of the whole contro-
versy and win be fully covered by the
advocates of the proposed bond issue
in a public statement before the time
for voting on the bonds arrives. Then.
when all the arguments are in. it will
be for the people to judge and decide
which side of the question deserves to
win.