Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1906-02-28
FINISH THE WORK WELL!

There Is much public concern over the
probable fate of the plans devised by
the late city administration and 20
some extent carried into effect The de-
STABILITY of the completion Of the con-
duit, which has been partly construct.
ca and which Is necessary to bring the
waters Of the Cottonwoods into this
city for general use, IS universally rec
ognized. The new administration Is ex-
pectod to carry st forward as rapidly as
wisdom and the means at hand will
permit.
The people are watching and waiting
for the work TO proceed. Some Of them
are getting very anxious and even ner-
vous over the matter. and fear lest Il
shall be so retarded that the water VIII
not be available during the present
year. The city authorities however
appear to be alive and alert on this I'M
porant project They should be en-
couraged in their labors and no obsta-
Gle should be placed I'm their way.
There is a strong doubt in the minds
Of many people In regard to the mo-
lives Of the officials who have the
work In hand. Some OF them imagine
that great graft" Is intended. They
think that the contractor ls leagued
with some members Of the council to
create a demand for extras which Is I'M
necessary, and would open the way for
peculation and jobbery. We are of the
opinion that such suspicious should not
be entertained unless there should ap-
pear some solid ground on which to
build them. The inspection Of the work
which has been undertaken by the
mayor and the councilmen interested
in the enterprise on behalf Of the city,
we regard as proper and timely under
the circumstances.
II II is discovered that some changes
are necessary In order to make the
work sound and durable. they should
undoubtedly be made, even il extra ex-
pense is involved II the leakages COM
planned Of In the concrete work already
done are due to imperfect material, the
contractor should be held to his agree
ment and required TO perform II ac-
cordng to the spirit and letter Of his
contract. II extra work and material
are found TO be essential to the sue.
cess OF the conduit. such as are not
provided for in the original plans no.
body ought to stand In the way Of
their adoption.
But there need be no extravaganza In
that direction nor opportunities for
raids on the city treasury. True econ
omy should be exercised. but that does
not mean stngness. A close watch
ought to be kept on all expenditures.
and only that which the best engineer
Ing talent and practical ability decide
TO be necessary should receive the
sanction of the mayor and the coun.
Gil.
The engineer who was engaged to
assist In the laying out of the work In
the beginning IN addition to the city |
engineering department, Is recognized |
as a capable, honest and intelligent au-
thority on all such matters. His opln-
Ion is valuable. his services ought to |
be retained He viii doubtless take
pleasure In working with the regular
city officials, in applying such renee
dies as are needed where there are de-
fects If any, and IN rendering the en-
tire conduit safe, sound and compe-
tent for its purpose, without going into
needless expense and making new bur-
dens for the taxpayers
We remind the City Council that |
any attempt to raise the taxes In this
city, either by increasing the valua-
ton OF property or adding to the levy
of previous years, win be strongly re-
scented by the great body Of the tax
payers, and will result unfayorably to
the city administration This paper |
is interested IN the success OF move
ment which 1t believes win result In
immense benefit to this city, An ade-
quate and permanent supply Of pure |
water for al useful purposes is essen
tlal to the comfort growth and prog
ress OF Salt Lake city, ana Il matters
little who shall furnish the flow and !
perfect the work, 80 long as II is done.
and IN the doing Of 1t that there shall |
be no waste, extravaganza or oppor-
tunlties for personal gain from the
public funds. Go ahead with the con-
dult and make It sound. substantial |
and permanent!