The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1906-02-21
DONATION PARTY.

AMERICAN" DONATION PARTY.
Those conhding citizens who voted
for the American" party can now be-
gin to count the cost Of having pa
tr:ots" in charge Of the city admins
tlation. At the council meeting of
night before last, the city engineer and
beard OF public works recommended
changes in the Big Cottonwood con-
duit which will cost in the aggregate
3s1, 647.59, an increase of that amount In
the contract price as originally let.
To get the full significance Of this
addition, it is only necessary TO recall
that the original design of the conduit
was made by an engineer Of excep-
tiCnal ability one not only versed in
his profession technically, but also IA
miIiar with construction work in every
detail through actual experience His
plan was approved by the board of
public works, of which Col. Z. A. Wall
was chairman. and was subjected to
the closest scrutiny by every one inter-
ested. including p. J. Moran, who took
the contract.
In view Of the facts there can hardly
be any claim that the plan is defec-
tive. and the explanation Of the
changes recommended is not far to
seek. For instance, if the conduit
were properly constructed of concrete
as originally planned, the work would
have to be up to the contract require
r1ents or the conduit would leak when
water is turned into it. If the kelsey
Moran recommendations are adopted
and the conduit lined with plaster at a
cost of S17,5OO. the conduit viii hold
water whether the concrete work is up
to standard or not. So far, Mr.. Moran
viii doubtless make no objection to
adding that much to the price of his
work.
Likewise, If the thickness of the side
walls is Increased, Mr.. Moran viii at
tain the object he had in mind when
he asked the former administration to
allow him extra for the excavation
necessary to carry his concrete frames,
a claim which WIS denied because the
contract called for the whole excava-
ton and the additional allowance
would, in effect, be a donation,
Finally. the proposal to cover the
conduit in all places with earth exca-
walton at an additional cost Of S24. 900
is another present Of a large proper
ton Of the sum. It is unnecessary
work, If It is done Moran will be the
only beneficiary, there is no chance OF
competition from other contractors and
the tax payer VIII be mulcted for the
amount.
It's lovely programme, isn't It?
Good thing for Moran, isn't It? But do
the tax payers like it as a sample Of
reform" handed out by a bunch of
patriots?
At the same session Of the council
the city recorder was given still an
other deputy at $500 8. year for work
which should not require more than
two hours a day; the stenographer' s
salary in the same Office was raised
from 5000 to $1,000 a year, and two
additional assistants were granted the
same Office for docketing work. While
the graft was working right, the in
effabIe Black introduced an ordinance
giving the janitor on the city side an
increase from $40 to $50 a month, and
the resolution was adopted in spite Of
protests from two American council
men who thought the game was being
worked too hard.
Some Of the other offices are yet to
be heard from, but it may be taken for
granted the donation party will be
made a permanent feature of the coun-
ell sessions until the treasury gives
out or another city election comes
along. Meanwhile, the streets are dis
gracefully dirty because there is no
money available for anything but an
increase In salaries OF Pat Moran S
contracts; the administration of the
health department is satisfied with a
garbage collection that would shame
any Podunk town In the country, and
the administration head is spending all
his time distributing patronage
his energies should be directed to In
telligent study of the departments and
the way they are being run.
Happily for the city, the time is APP
preaching when the annual tax levy
must be fixed. and even an American
gang will be unable to confront the
financial situation that awaits It with
out pausing in its wholesale grab and
give.