Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1904-11-18
A GRAND WATER PROJECT

a NNAND W n I'm hOJ FNif
--a---
The subject Of a full water supply for
the city. suitable Tor domestic as well
as irrigation purposes, has long been
under consideration. Various schemes
have been suggested but nothing prac-
teal has been done that would "hll the
long felt want" Mayor Morris had a
plan In his mind before he was elected
10 his present office and he has quietly
been at work, comforting with experts
In water affairs and city officers con-
corning f. He now has the satisfaction
Of seeing It on the way to success. The
exchange Of Utah lake water Tor sup
ply from the Cottonwoods and other
sources ia not a new idea, but the meth
DDS by which this could be accomplished
we're not looked upon as likely to be
adopted. Now, however a plan has
been matured and It gives abundant
promise OF accomplishment.
II the plan presented to the city
Council ls adopted and carried out, the
water question as It affects this city
may be considered settled for all time.
II will provide amply not only FOR the
present but the future. And the sup
ply viii be Of the very best quality.
while the farmers will have water bet
ter suited for their purpose In exchange
for what they turn over TO the city, we.
IN town. viii have just the kind OF sup
ply that win M the bill both as to
quality and to quantity.
The negotiations with the farmers and
the work OF conducting the water into
our city system viii cost great deal
u money Here Is where we wish our
readers to calmly reflect on the mpor-
tant proposition presented There has
been a deep-seated feeling Of hostility
TO the further issue OF bonds for any
purpose IN this city, The Deseret News
has frequently voiced that popular SEN
timent The city Is deeply In debt ana
taxes are too high now to suit the ma
jorlty Of our citizens. But here Is some.
thing confronting US that should not be
pushed aside. or viewed with alarm 80
far as the taxing feature Of It Ia con-
cerned. Let w consider II with the
gravity that It merits.
The plan, as we have said, will per-
manently dispose of the city water
problem, Its cost viii necessarily be
large too large to be met at once The
issue OF water bonds for whatever
amount viii he found necessary. may
not Increase the general tax assess
ment at all. and In any event II would
not be more than one mill The In.
creased supply viii bring I'm larger
revenue, advancing with the years and
the population, so that IN time the debt
Will be llQudated, and the burden OF II
WIN rest upon posterity IN a great
degree. and they viii also be the bene-
fcaries Of the measure"
The situation is greatly different now
from that before Us when schemes
were IN vogue to put the city under
water commission, which. as we held.
was In violation Of our municipal char
ter and inadylsabe Tor many reasons
The proper city officers VIII have this
matter in hand. It viii be under the
authority ana auspices Of our elected
representatives 1t will be boon to
the city. the value Of which cannot be
computed by figures, Il rs the con-
summation OF wishes most dcvouuy
entertained. II We are wise we will
take hold Of It with a viii,
There VIII, no doubt. be some folks
who win stand IN the way Of this great
project when It comes to voting on
the Issue Of bonds to make II possible.
The pesslmists will see In Il a terri
bic financial menace, and win cite past
efforts that are looked upon as failures
But 10 us this plan appears to offer the
long looked for solution OF yexed
question and gives promise Of a Wig
orous impetus TO an our local indus.
tries. A limited or defective water
supply puts a damper ON progress and
seares away capital Let It be fully es.
taollshed that Salt Lake has a plentiful
supply Tor all corners aud all purposes
and OF kind to be healthful and
pure. and the growth OF our city Will be
assured and its future put beyond the
question Of a doubt. The Deseret News
haila with delight the coming change IN
our water system and win urge that IN,
voting on bonds be IN the ahirma-
tive,