The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1908-05-12
GOSHEN AND THE COUNCIL.

GOSHEN AND THE COUNCIL.
Mr.. GOshen's recital of the record in
the First South paving case was inter
estine and true, even if it was known
before and had been commented upon
So often as To be trite. He showed how
the council had Illegally juggled the
paving business 50 as to exclude the
use Of Utah asphalt and compel the
use of California material unless by
such property-owno as are willing "a
pay an eXorbitant price for the home
asphalt. He indicated pretty clearly
his, belief that Black and Martin are
unfit to represent the people i'm the
council and gave his reasons for the
belief. He touched upon the fact that
only one bidder. p. ]. Moran. appeared
in the business and concluded by advis-
ing the people of First South street
to stop the paving job in its present il
legal form if they have to walk
through mud for a year or two.
Heralded as an indictment of the
council, the preachers comment was
short of the promise. The First South
paving business is only one symptom
of disease in the municipal administra-
ton. The whole attitude of the council
toward the people the members repre-
sent is unsatisfactory, eXaspera ting.
From the donation of $4,000 to Moran
for plastering the Big Cottonwood con-
duit, down through the dissipation of
public funds by increasing salaries and
employees: from the payment of SIS, 900
To expert auditors for a job that
competent men offered to do for s., 600:
from the appointment of Jake Raleigh
10 the reappointment of George Sheets
on the police department, the city ad-
ministratlOn has been tainted.
Within less than ten days Moran has
been paid in fun on contract which,
by the contract terms. called for a
heavy forfeiture because of delay in
fulfillment If any outsider had Sc
cured the job in competition with Mo-
ran he would have been held to the
terms of the contract and compelled TO
forfeit money for delay-if only as a
warning not to compete with the Off
Cial contractor of the administration.
Moran controls the city gravel pits;
Moran is given the right TO erect his
mixing plant in the city streets: Moran
has the privilege of hauling material
for his work on the street rRlway
lines; Moran has secured special priv
ileges in succession until no sane man
would think of attempting to compete
with him. And he has secured these
privileges by grace of the city council
Of Salt Lake
That is why the property owners of
First South street are given their OPP
tion of doing as Moran prescribes or of
going without paving on their street
for an indefinite period. That Is why
they. We're asked to pay s4s, 600 more for
Utah asphalt than for California ma
teriaI: Il is the reason for Blacks de-
fiance of their wishes. and Mr. Gosh
ems olympiad is wasted ammunition
SO long as the whole administration. in
Guiding some Democrats, are COM
mitted TO anything Moran wants.
So far as Moran himself is concerned,
il is futile TO abuse or criticise him.
He is a shrewd business man seeking
the best OF every bargain. Because the
no MA of G91 I ell
them-are willing to elect such men as
sit in the council, Moran has been able
to organize affairs so that In every ne
gotiation the councilmen who should
really represent Moran. Every contract
he makes with the council is a Jug
handled affair and Moran keeps tight
hold of the handle. Why shouldn't he
tract conditions and collect extras as
the mood moves him?
No one has ever suggested that Mo
ran skimps his work. He has a certain
pride in doing good work. and he can
afford to DO it at the prices he fixes.
But the city is paying enormously Tor
the laxity. net 10 call it by a worse
name-of the councilmen who are
elected to safeguard the city's inter
ests. They conceal their incompetence
and extravagance-Or worse-behind
talk of great public improvements"
Of progressive city" of an "Ameri-
can" administration. as though the