The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1905-09-06
IGNORING THE FACT.

Apparently the opponents OF a better
and larger supply OF water for Salt
Lake City have very little regard for
Tie engineering opinions OF Mr. Kelsey,
former city engineer, or Mr.. Doremus,
the city's consulting engineer in its
natter ana sewer plans. Five years ago
NJ. Kelsey urged the acquisition of
she right to bring part of its Utah lake
water through the East Jordan canal,
SO the city could exchange that water
Tor the Big Cottonwood water belong
ing 10 farmers above the ctty's old
canal SO urgently did Mr.. Kelsey
recommend this plan that the city be-
gan condemnation suit against the
East Jordan canal company Ia secure
the right to enlarge the canal and use
fl for this purpose.
Quite recently the present city ad-
nlnistration secured an option Oh one
NTH of the stock of the East Jordan
company, the intention being 70 utilize
The city's share Of the canal water for
exchange with the Big Cottonwood
farmers who are above the city's own
canal. The plan had been contemplated
for some time. il was approved without
reserve by Mr.. Doremus as consulting
engineer, il was simpler and much
cheaper than Mr.. Kelsey's cOndemna-
ton plan. and it solved at once
problem which had been before The city
authorities for more than FIVE years.
r-.Hr
ditch from the present terminus Of the
East Jordan canal the city will be in
position TO exchange lake water for the
nighttime Big Cottonwood water and
portion OF Little Cottonwood and the
farmers who now get water from these
streams above the city's canal are more
than willing TO make the exchange.
When such authorities as Mr.. Kelsey
and Mr., DoTemus youch for the wisdom
of the plan and indorse its every fea-
ture, even the ObstructiOnists might be
expected TO acquiesce since neither OF
these eminent engineers has ever been
suspected of being ignorant or venal or
Indifferent TO the welfare OF the city.
In spite of the evident wisdom of Sc
curing this additional supply of pure
water while it may be had at a reason
able figure. the 0bstructionists attempt
10 make it appear that Mayor Morris
the city attorney. who has been his
chief adviser, Mr.. Doremus. Franklin
5. Richards. the city engineer and his
staff are all implicated in a Job" a
secret scheme, something dishonorable
and mean. OF course the implication
was not made plain enough TO invite
legal action. but was still plain enough
10 give evidence OF intent To discredit
the men responsible for the East Jordan
stock purchase
Entirely apart from the ignorance
shown by the declaration that the plan
was never before mentioned" the
attack on the integrity of the city Of
flcials and their consulting associates
was a gratutitous insult to men sin
cerely and honestly doing everything
possible 10 settle salt Lakes water
question for years to come. The plan
has been executed openly, has been
known to every intelligent student OF
the situation for the past five years,
and has been carried out so far at u
minimum Of expense with a maximum
of results.
Mayor Morris and Mr.. Doremus and
the other men who have worked so
faithfully on this question can afford to
ignore such assaults as this. The public
the obstructionists and discounts al
they may say. The public also
approves OF the measures taken to
secure an ample supply Of water for the
city and viii support the men who are
pushing 10 completion the comprehen-
sive undertaking they have initiated.