Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1904-02-16


bo agreed upon, or an equivalent TO the
primary rights exchanged and that the
difference as to qua ity and quantity be
settled upon a cash oasis, The commits
sioner states that Utah lake water Is
only suitable for irrigation purposes
and as the city need not be in the ir-
rigatlon business he recommends that
the Jordan & Salt Lake city canal be
turned over to the farmers on Parley's
creek TO be maintained by them In part
settlement OF the proposition TO pur-
chase the clear title to Parley's creek
water.
am unable to approve OF this plan
for the reason that the city cannot al
ford to dispose Of the Jordan 4 Salt
Lake City canal under any circum-
stances, as, In addition 10 furnishing
a basis for the exchange for waters NJ
the mountain streams, by which ex-
change large portion OF our present
water supply has been secured the ca
nal is absolutely essential for the wat
ering OF the forestry Of our city, with
out which the citys chief attraction
would be lost or wanting,
Again. II, as the superintendent OF
waterworks has repeatedly suggested,
II Is desirable to establish standpipe
system for street sprinkling, TO be sup
piled from the waters OF the Jordan &
salt Lake city canal, In order TO re-
ieve the watermains and prevent the
great injury 10 the fire MIGRANTS which,
under the present system, cannot be
avoided, and from the statement OF the
said superintendent that such a system
would In his opinion, save to the city
some 1900 900 gallons Of water daily for
domestic purposes, 1t would. ! consider
be folly 10 entertain the idea OF aban-
donIng the said canal.
PARLEY's CREEK WATER.
As 10 Parley's creek: Until the llti-
cation now pending In the courts has
been disposed Of, by which the respec-
tive rights Of the city and Of the farm
ers to Parleys creek water VIII be es-
tablished, 1t would not be wise, In my
judgment, to undertake TO carry out
any policy that would interfere with the
present status OF affairs regarding the
waters Of that stream. II, when the
courts have finally adjudlcated the con-
troversy arising out Of the present con-
tracts with the said farmers. It shall
be found that the clty's interests have
suffered, the proposition to purchase
such water rights as the city does not
now own Of its own right may be con-
sdered with favor
| shall in the not distant future sub
NIT to your honorable body In a spe-
clal communication my views as to the
policy that should be adopted by the
present administration with regard to
the permanent increase Of our water
supply.
The unusual snowfall in the noun.
talns the past winter will, no doubt,
insure us an abundant supply Of water
for the present season. This, however,
should not deter us from proceeding
without delay with the work of endeav.
orlng to secure a permanent water sup
ply for all time to come,
THE FIRE DEPARTMENT.
The cost Of maintaining this depart
ment for the year just passed was $751;
Gl57l, an increase Of some s2,l00 over
the year 1902. The number OF alarms
responded TO was lS2. and the fire loss
es amounted to S39S, 60s46. However,
considering that the losses at the dis
astrous fire at the Atlas and Central
blocks amounted to 1850 1883 alone, the
losses from the other ISL fires are GER
tainly small for city the size Of Salt
Lake.
A new aerial truck and sundry new
equipment purchased during the year
have placed the department In a most
excellent condition for a more effective
service In the future, and will xplan
the increase Of s2,l00 in expenditures
over the previous year,
The chief Of the department again re-
commends the creation Of the Office OF
electrical inspector, and In view OF the
fact that so many buildings are In
course Of erection In this city at all
times Of the year, and from the fact
that a very large proportion OF these
buildings cover yerltable network OF
electrical wiring, | heartily concur In
this recommendation. / deem IL neces-
sary that the electric wiring In build
,ngs be placed under the control Of a
thoroughly capable and efficient officer,
rot only for the protection OF owners
Of such buildings in guaranteeing that
the wiring be done In a safe and prop
CT manner, but also for the extra pre-
caution that the city should take IN a
matter OF this kind.
COST OF STREET LIGHTING,
The cost of street lighting for the year
was 1872 65i0S. Twenty-three additional
arc lights were placed during the year,
making the total asa or this number
but 10 lights were furnished free Of
charge az consideration for franchise
privileges. would respectfully suggest
that the number Of free lights can be
very materially increased by your care
full consideration of the interests OF the
city when future additional concessions
are granted TO the lighting companies.
In my judgment, no franchise. or ex.
tension OF same, for street lighting
should be granted without yielding an
adequate return TO the city.
THE POLICE DEPARTMENT.
The expense OF the police and prison
departments for the year was A9, 81! O6,
an increase Of S,7s6 over the year 1909.
Three thousand four hundred and
sevcnty-eight arrests were made, re-
sultlng IN 1898 convictions, the fines
and forfeitures from which amounted TO
$50, sO3 IS.
! would respectfully recommend that
the force be increased by the appoint.
ment OF five additional men-thrce
mounted police and two night detec.
tives-for the more thorough protection
Of the residence portion Of the city,
ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT.
The report Of the engineering depart
ment shows the receipts for the year to
be- s3,3375O, and the disbursements $685.
1882 the net cost OF the department
being $22, 9sS,02 This amount covers the
expenditures for all purposes by the
department. and includes the maIntcn-
ance and work upon all public improve
ments made during the year,
The public improvements made dur
ing the year 1903 amounted 10 Sl25,-
33S. 49, divided as follows,
Waterman extensions n,r.ns23, 20l O6
Sewer extensions ,,.,"r,,u 1910 q
Sidewalk extensions ,,u.,,,,. 2j,46S ~
street paycmonts ,.,",,,,,',, 42S9B Us
Main sewer .......,...,.... 2,3lS.O7
greenhouse .,o,. ,..u,... G,6i9,O3
Conduit, Jordan and Salt Lake
City canal ,.u,r.,.,,,..,,,, Q,bSS.i2
Pipe line to isolation hospital, S,j96.S3
Wooden highway bridge, JOr-