Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1908-01-14
TRANSPORTS
MESSAGE TO COUNCIL.

amply sufficient, but should be main
talned In the highest standard of eff
ficiency.
1t is very requisite that n sufficient
number Of fire stations be established
and maintained. AT present we have
but four stations, three being ON the
east side of Main street and the 9th
er on the west side of Main street.
Taking into consideration the ever
increasing requirements OF our city. BY
reason of the establishing of various
wholesale and storage depots and the
increase in railroad shops and public
necessities in general on the west side
of our city, II appears TO me that there
should be established on this side OF
the city an additional fire station.
Human endeavor in any line of nc
tivity, even when carried to the utmost
possible limit, may. and often does.
fall far short of adequateness in tho
face of difficulties nevertheless. We
should strive to do our best TO conserve
the interests of our people; and in do
ing the best to conserve the best inter
estS of the people we should always
have in mind the necessity Of a proper
system of fire departments.
The necessity of maintaining rig
i'd supervision by this department, of
the fire facilities of theaters and 9TH
er places of amusement, and especially
to those to which large numbers OF
women and children attend. cannot
be too strongly emphasized.
The success of fire department de-
ponds largely on the class OF men en-
ployed therein. and upon the strict OBJ
servance of discipline.
HEALTH DEPARTMENT.
During the past year the health Of
the people, generally speaking. has
been good, and with the exception of
the increase in measles and scarlet fe-
yer during the months of November
and December, 1907. no serious cpl
denies have prevailed to any great
extent. Anything that will to any ex-
tent whatever conduce to the improve
ment of the present state of health OF
the city should receive the utmost con-
sideration 1t being impossible to do
too much to permanently establish
conditions which, by the enforcement
of sanitary regulations, will bring
about the highest results possible OF
attainment along this line.
The proper inspection of all places,
which under certain conditions would
be prolific sources OF disease. should,
as in the past. continue to be excr-
cised.
The proper sanitation of all public
buildings. and an impartial enforce
ment of the rules regarding the con-
gregating of large bodies of people, to-
gether with a close scrutiny OF all
alleys, will do much to promote the
health of all.
1t is our duty as public officers,
to see to 1t that everything possible Is
done to promote the best conditions
along the line Of proper sanitation;
sufficient garbage teams. INSPECTORS,
and the strict enforcement OF the laws
relating to sewer connections. are
matters that should be given attention.
We should take into consideration
when determining the number of en-
ployees TO be allowed In the depart
ment of health, that this is q growing
community. the population of which
has increased, according to the best es-
Inmates obtainable, during the past
few years. something like 10000.
The teaching of sanitary and hy-
gienic sciences In our public schools
cannot be too highly commended.
= wATERWoRKs.
Our system of waterworks. capable
as it is of supplying the purest water.
is a feature of our city life that can
not be too highly estimated.
While the cost of construction may
have seemed great, yet when we con-
slider the quality OF the water and
the care that has been and is being
taken to give us the very cleanliest
condition, we should congratulate our
selves.
While this is so, and while we be-
ileVe that we possess a water supply
the quality of With is not excelled
by that OF any other city, 1 am of the
opinion that we are not receiving, for
the amount OF money involved in the
construction and maintenance of our
water system, that which We are en-
titled TO. 1t is not an unusual thing
for waterworks systems in cities to
produce over 9 per cent annually on
the value OF the plant. while we are
falling very far short OF this amount
That is TO say our water rates are so
low. as compared with other cities, thas
our revenue from this source Is dis
proportionately small.
IT has always been the purpose OF
the city authorities TO so conduct the
waterworks system that the city should
not receive any revenue therefrom,
other than sufficient 10 pay the actual
maintenance thereof In this conneo-
ton little regard was paid 10 the fact
that bonds had TO be issued. and, as
result, the revenue from this depart
ment falls short
Owing To the fact that the necessity
of having to extend and enlarge our
system, and also by reason of the many
tNltHslonS necessary 10 meet the re
quirements OF the consumers, II VIII
be impossible TO continue these extern
sions. unless the rate is Increased. I
am, therefore, in favor OF an equitable
increase In the water rates, and recon-
mend that, wherever possible. meters
be used in all large places.
PUBLIC WORKS.
The work which has been undertaken
and carried out under the supervision
OF this department during the past
two years In the matter OF laying as.
phalt, matchmaking and laying side
walks. has been very extensive. a
large area has thus been added to the
paved district, and while this has caus-
ed an added expense OF considerable
magnitude 10 the city. the result N
the matter OF safety and convenience 10
the residents OF those sections OF the
city where these improvements hav,
been instituted, added to the fact ihai
such improvements tend To enhance this
value of property, and thus indirectly
contribute 10 the revenues, amply justl'
~ the work thus far done.
The extension Of the system OF sew
ers, upon which so much depends the
health OF the people, II also worl
worthy OF high commentator. Wher
the present sewer system IL completed
| we shall have system sufficient =,
meet the needs OF the city for lont
| time 10 come.
STREET DEPARTMENT.