Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1908-03-31
OUR MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS.

To the Editor.
The paramount question at the pres
ent time is the financial one, With an
incompetent and eXtravagant admins
tration, we are face 10 face with the
question of bonds, The ideals OF our
city councillors for years seem to have
been how to spend the income derived
from the citizens. They have been
spendthrifts, for Notwithstanding there
has been steady Increase OF revenue
year after year, they have not only
exhausted every source of revenue, but
have spent more and have therefore
an overdraft, until now they are con-
templating the issuance of more bonds.
When will this community really wake
up to the true condition OF things and
demand that change be made? How
long shall the taxpayers endure this
Incompetence and Extravaganza With
such an annual increase of revenue.
with ordinary care and prudence In
the management of the city's affairs
we ought to have been in an excellent
condition financially. instead of the
bankrupt state we find ourselves. Salt
Lake City is becoming place of some
Importance, No one will deny that,
Notwithstanding the knockers, II Is
growing and expanding on all sides,
Even in these quiet times many build
ings are projected and are in the
course of construction. Every indica-
ton points to a city OF some consider
able size I'm the near future. Then
what the the ideals of our city fathers
in relation to these conditions? Arc
they considering the proprlety OF Sc
curing open space In each direction or
the city for the benefit and use of It's
citizens? Or before they wake up will
all OF the north bench be built up and
no square or park be reserved? Are
we 10 have no other than Liberty park
for our useg No matter what our
growth may be- Land over the river
can possibly be obtained cheaply. why
cannot our city acquire large tract
to be improved and made OF service
to our community. 1t seems that our
city authorities cannot get out of the
quagmire of partisanship and rise
above the petty iealousies and bicker-
lngs that characterize their proceed
ings. II they had any ideals worthy
of their position they would consider
these things and make a move towards
doing something for the welfare OF the
city Other cities provide bowling
green's, golf courses, museums and pic
turc galleries In their public parks for
the Instruction, amusement and bene-
1T OF their people, why cannot we? or
course small charge Is made for the
privilege Of playing those games which
keeps the grounds I'm order.
IL II not shame and disgrace that
in this city OF nearly 100000 people
tH'iN 10 NV pA' Iu'liN P'oNv VI WIZ
Nenence for its citizens or strangers?
What must strangers think of us as
they walk up ana down our broad
streets and flnd no place where they
can get n wash or brush down or other
convenience even more urgent? liz II
not about time that we were laying
our partsanship aside and devoting
our time for the welfare ana better
ment OF our community Nature has
done so much FOR US. We do not seem
willing 10 adopt and Improve the ia
ollltles with which nature has endowed
us n Is TO be- hoped that n senti-
mont In the direction Indicated VIII be
created and that an awakening may
soon ensuo LENNON,