The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1906-04-14
STAR CHAMBER IS
NOT AMERICAN
Board of Public Works Meets
With Just Criticism Over
Thursdays Action.
AGAINST PRINCIPLES
OF AMERICAN PARTY
Transaction of Public Business
Must Stand Sunlight of
Public Criticism.

The action of the Board Of Public Works
Thursday in holding a star chamber ses-
sion, from which the general public and
newspaper representatives were excluded,
suspicion of all citizens who are cventu-
ally forced TO pay the freight on all that
the Board of Public Works undertakes
to do as we'll as all contractors inter-
ested in the bids.
Against American Principles.
AS constituted at the present time. the
Board OF Public Works is distinctly an
American party organization placed in
power by the American party the party
whose principles from the beginning have
involved dealings through which the hon
est light of publicity might shine with
out displaying a single shadow. During
the last campaign one of the slogans OF
the American party was. let the public
get at the books ofithe city.
Citizens Demanded Publicity
At the municipal election the citizens In
no uncertain measure demanded that the
star chamber sessions OF the city officials
must cease. Things during the last ad-
minlstratlon were framed in secret, the
plan OF procedure was mapped out in Sc
cret, and the first the public knew OF
these things was the enactment of the
same into shameful and disgusting laws.
Many things framed in secret then are
still pending and no one knows just
what they are, nor Will the public know
until they are brought to the daylight.
Publicity Is Enduring Principle.
The Tribune throughout has opposed
these secret sessions OF public bodies when
interests vital 10 the taxpayers are In
volved. The Tribune opposed those things
when the agents OF the hlerarch were in
control. and principle is one OF the
most lasting and enduring essentials to
honest and straightforward dealing. The
Tribune condemns In no uncertain meas
ure the action OF the American Board OF
Public Works on Thursday. so far as
the secrecy OF It's session Is concerned.
Large Contracts Involved.
Much is Involved In. the dealings OF the
Board OF Public Works at the present
time. Some enormous contracts have been
let, bids have been received Involving
thousands or dollars and many Salt
Lakers have an interest I'm these con-
tracts aside from being mere taxpayers
of the community. No representatives OF
these Salt Lake bidders were admitted TO
the star chamber session, yet one OF the
bidders, the Barbour Asphalt company,
over whose work for the city In the past
lawsuits arc now pending. had repre-
sentative present Thursday
What Should Be Done.
In order 10 consistently live up 10 the
principles for which the American party
was formed, the principles Of reform and
honest dealing, this creature of that party
Is falling utterly In realizing the condi-
tions surrounding 1t when 1t confines its
dealings involving large contracts be-
hind closed doors. II the board Is trans
acting business which II Is ashamed TO
display before the public. the sooner the
board is removed from power the better
IT Will be for the city and the party
which gave II birth.
Is Chairman to Blame?
II Chairman Leonard Is to blame for
this star chamber session, the sooner he
Is removed from his position the sooner
VIII the public have better reason 10 trust
a body which handles matters of enorm-
Gus import TO the public. The Tribune |
mas ever been an enemy to secret sessions
for the transaction OF public business. and
II con find no words sufficiently strong in
which TO condemn the action OF the board
Thursday In holding a secret session
Bears Taint of Suspicion.
The American administration today is
making history which Will make or IN
mako all future efforts of the party. and
every act of the administration must be
open and above board. the sunshine of
public criticism must enter such deal
ings as were In hand Thursday before
TIE action is consummatcd, and before
the damage Is done. Everything that
VIII not bear the sunlight OF publicity has
taint of suspicion, and the sooner the
Board OF Public Works realizes this the
better IL VIII be for the city