davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1912-12-29
The Health Department.

During the past year the health
department has undergone the most
radical reorganization OF any depart
mcnt OF the city government. Un-
der the ordinance which has com
plctely revised the health provisions
OF the city, tho department now
consists OF seven divisions. as fol-
lows:
Division OF health:
Division Of bacteriology:
Division OF sanitary inspection:
Division OF meat and food inspec-
ton;
Division Of dairy and milk inspec-
ton
Division OF weights and measures;
Division of chemistry.
There are, besides the chiefs OF
each Of these divisions, eighteen In
spectors assigned to duty as followe:
Seven inspectors In the meat and
food division; five working at siangh-
ter houses. and two on city inspec-
ton; at the present time only one
IN the milk and dairy division. but
another inspector will be added TO
this division as soon a 5 outside dairy
inspection is begun; one inspector
on sewer inspection; four inspectors
assigned TO quarantine work; four
inspectors to sanitary work, and one
In the office for school permits.
II is interesting TO know that
some OF the mea sures formulated by
the board of health and passed by
the commission are innovations
which are being studied in their ef-
feet and adopted In some other cities.
The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1912-12-29
Mayor Park Rws First Year of Form of Government Salt

been cleaned renovated and painted.
The personnel or tho force Is unqucs
tionably better th0u ever before and
tho spirit and enthusiasm of the men
have never been surpassed. The OK
hibitiou OF the department AZ the state
fair IN October was an example OF
en- efficiency which Is being I'M
proved every day.
In view OF the erection OF a largo
number ot modern buildings, the In
the additional territory acquired dur
ing the past year by the city. the ad
dition OF at least two pieces of motor
driven apparatus, one an aerial truck.
would brins the department up 10
date. This would release SOME pieces
OF hcrse-driveu apparatus, particu
larly a steam tire engine. for use In
the outlying residence district; An
additional substGtion near the peul-
tentiary vs. almost mandatory on ac-
count OF tho rapid building up OF that
vicinity and tho addition or territory
lying between Fifth East and Elev-
enth East and Twelfth South and
Thirteenth south streets. Such . sta
tion would cost about $4,000 and would
entail an increase % about ten men
and provision for their salaries. The
equipment Of horses harness. fire en-
giue. hook and ladder truck etc. Is
aVaiiqh hle from our present equipmc mcnt.
50 that q Verv efficient station could
be established for practically the cost
OF ;he building. y prominent citizen
OF Forest Dale iPs presented to the
city q very desirable station site.
The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1912-12-29
By Samuel c. Park.

-HE stroke OF midnight necom-
ber 81. 1912. marks the close
os the Grst year OF conmis-
II sion government In Salt Lake
City. It IS difficult 20 realize
Just what processes have brought
about the realization ot the anticipa-
tions and expectations OF a year ago.
The local strife, chickering's and un-
endurab conditions OF thai period
are almost forgotten and the people
of this city now appear 70 be en-
crossed with thoughts for progress
and advancement. While there has
been elsewhere the usual uncertain
~ and depression incident 10 ma
tioasl political ehanges. Salt Lake
City has been singulagiy free from
any depression on account Of the
presidential campaign. Business has
not partaken o. the nature OF
boom, but there has been a. steady
and marked Improvement in all lines.
Where formerly there was unrest and
dlacontent. there Is now apparent
satisfaction. harmony OF effort and
a dissemination to advance.
Under the present system Of city
government partisan politics has
been disregarded. Measures and
men have been advocated fo- their
worth, regardless OF influence and
afrIiation. The success or the COM
mission system IS dependent upon
tho elimination Of partlsanship. Tn
der the old system, candidates were
bound by party platforms and tradi-
lions. controlled by party orsaniZa-
tions and burdened with party obll-
Eatione. These organizati tions are
generally controlled By a few men.
and frequently their motives are sc-
tuated by selfish interests and not
at all for the benefit and advance
ment OF the municipality. Most of
the opposition 10 commission gov
crnment throughout the country
originates among those who desire
10 control things largely for their
own benefit and somo criticisms arc
offered by those who either do not
or cannot understand that the gov
ernment OF a municipality must be In
accord with the statutes prescribed
by the legislature. II is difficult.
even with the short experience al
ready had. 10 u-ge any good reason
FOR an administration upon party
lines
The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1912-12-29
Bacteriology Division.

The division Of bacterioIogy has
been developed and Is rapidly be-
coming one OF our most important
divisions. The inspection OF meats
and foods has been placed under the
health department., In charge OF the
veterinarian. and this city is the
first 10 appoint woman as inspec-
tor OF foods and 10 clothe her. with
police powers. The results OF this
experiment have been most crafty
ing. An addition TO the force Of Ia
spectors could be made TO advantage
on account OF the large area COW
cred by Salt Lake City. 1t is a mat
Ter OF considerable difficulty 10 COW
er practically forty -eisht square
miles OF territory with four inspec
tors assigned 10 ga ultary work and
four assigned 10 quarantine work.
There has been a marked improve
ncnt IN the physical aspect OF Salt
Lake city In regard TO cleanliness.
having members OF the board OF
health give lectures TO teachers and
pupils OF our public schools on the
subjects OF hygiene. santa tion. care
OF the body. etc. In this way thou
sands OF individuals are reached and
corresponding Improvement is ef-
fected in the health OF our populs-
ton. The health commissioner and
hts assistants have been unceasing
in their efforts to advance the in
terests OF the citizens along the lines
OF hygiene and sanitation. They
not only perform the duties OF the
its regular requirements TO accom-
modate citizens, Salt Lake City Is
becoming widely known for It's gem
eral health fllnesS
The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1912-12-29
Municipal Home Rule.

The tendency Of this form OF gov
crnment is toward the people. in con-
torTnlty with q movement which IS
nation wide. and II is TO be hoped
that some time the people OF this
municipality Will demand Tor them
selves u charter giving them home
rule and the regulation Of municipal
affairs. approved and adopted by
their own votes. and thus made Sc
cure from biennial threats OF politl-
cal bosses who pretend 10 control the
minds OF legislators. II Is but fair
and reasonable TO ask that those who
are directly affected by the municipal
government and who pay for its ad-
Ininistration, should have absolute
control in matters pertaining 10 that
government. The progress thus far
made by the commission has been
limited only by funds available for
improvements and the reforms un-
dertaken have been carried out sup-
lect TO the restrictions placed upon
the municipality by the statutes or
the slate.
The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1912-12-29

ment It soon became evident that a
complete revision OF all the ordi-
nanccs would be necessary this
work was undertaken and Is now
about completed. Inasmuch as tho
provisions of the law require that an
ordinance be read and published be-
fore taking effect. ii will take some
time TO have this revision read and
finally approved and published. This
item is one that will contribute to an
increased expenditure during the
present year.
In the department of the city
treasurer there have been special
aGdjts and before the close OF the
year the entire accounts OF the city
will have been completely audited for
result will be published in conformity
with the statutes governing these
matters. City funds are deposited
where the best possible rate OF in
terest is obtained for the taxpayers.
In the office Of the city. recorder
than during any year In the history
OF the city. This is but natural,
since the population has steadily In
creased and IL is also duo TO the new
system OF government which brings
the people IN closer touch with their
officials. In conformity with the
law requiring the publication OF the
proceedings OF the commission. a
periodical under the title OF The
Municipal Record has been rcgu-
larly issued each month giving In
brief form each department showing
monthly disbursements and receipts
OF public funds. The publication OF
the Municipal Record is another ex-
pense Item required by law which
the city has not heretofore had TO
meet. Systems have also been lnstl-
tuted In the offices ofthe city re-
corder for the more expeditions
handling OF petitions and communi-
The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1912-12-29
Emergency Hospital.

Some decent provision should be
made for emergency hospital work
and Il is thought that thousands OF
dollars now paid by the city for
damages on account OF accidents
could be saved if some place were
provided TO take care OF these cases.
The city could also provide eya NINA
ton and medical attendance for en-
ployees disabled or injured by Vea-
son Of their service 70 the city. IN
sornc cities Saturdays are devoted 70
the examination Of school children,
In testing their eyes and hearing
and examining their teeth and gem
erai physical condition. Thi6 would
be boon here 70 those who can M
afford the services Of a regular
physician.
In the division OF weights and
measures a great amount OF work has
been done and corresponding benefits
derived: 1889 scales were tested md
approved, isS scales were tested and
permanently condemned. the latter
being generally the cheaper type Of
cpring scale used By peddleTS and
known as family spring scales. II
thi. department, as well as In 9TH
crs, the ordinances have been largely
revised and re-ensct establishing
system FOR the sale OF fruits and
vegetables In line with the best
methods followed IN other cities.
The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1912-12-29
Licenses Increase.

The license department shows
large increase in miscellaneous Ii
ccnses. There has been a decrease
To the policy OF the commission in re-
ducing the number OF saloons. The
merchants licenses for this year are
about the same as for 1911, and 9lio-
gcther it has been q busy and pros
porous year for this department.
The office OF purchasing agent ls
an innovation and was established Tor
the purpose of systematic purchas-
ing for the city and is I'm line with
the methods used by large corpora
tions. 1t has attained the result eX-
pected and. while II is yet too early
TO give the exact figures, IL Is esti-
mated by comparisons made with
prices heretofore paid that the saw
ing To the city, over aud above the
cost OF This department, Will this year
amount TO between $4,000 and
$50 900.
The office Of city statIstician has
been recently created and already
the value OF this work is being appre-
ciate6. Tobulations have been COM
pleted showing the cost OF all the
paving ever done In Salt Lake City
and figures are now being compiled
showing comparative costs for lay
ing sewers, putting in curbs and sim
liar expenditures. II IS presumed and
expected that the efficiency OF each
department may be ascertained and
gagged by the statistics compiled in
this department. Its purpose Is TO
keep the commissioners and heads of
departments Informed as to the pro-
gress made il the several branches OF
The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1912-12-29
Public Improvements.

Al no other time In thu ST.
salt Lake City have eucb ~
improvements been contempl. 4
authorized as were provIda,, 7.
the current year, II is an ursa
and regrcttablo fact tha, ~
mission was unable to
sonti 80 r,.. aIts let at Gate sufa.
eaEiy 70 enable the con,rsu1-
Sohip'.Se Tue work this yesr
ever; 'hls will not prevsn,
thorl%ation Of an addlflonai y
toF 1913, lnasnuch as nyoS,
oeen MADE and the funds ~
10 pay the clty's portion -, ~,
authorized this year. ~
Under the department, -.
ana public lmprovements srs
the engineering departnsn
department. irrigation LII dn.
pudding Inspector. ul1nhingAr ~
tor and poll tax collector ss
cal changes have been ,r.S
tical lly all OF these 0ensr,v,e N
engineering department. leu
nsned a promotion system, na,
men Tor merit and partIcuIsr
FOR the inspection Of buildim..
tirely new ordinance has ~.
lnulated and passed. brlno,,.
Lake 10 the forefront In nrn
o! this nature. The marx IA ~ d
IN the number of permits AZ, ~
year shows faith IN this city M
hdence In Us administrator ~
In the department OF plumh,
spection there has been consl'
increase In the work, due IN a
ur1l growth OF the CITY. y.
here have been dccrcs sed hesr
ana 10 per cent, While tho +,
issued increased about per 81
Ing the year. a now orainan,
taialne better and NOR. moJss
tary provisions Is under CON,
fign F--
The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1912-12-29
Quarters Inadequate.

With careful and judicious manage
nent very acceptable service has
been rendered. but In comparison with
other cities OF similar size, our quar-
ters arc a disgrace and our facilities
In this department are grossly in
adequate. 4 visit 10 police hea6ouar-
ters and tho city JAIL is a sufficient
demonstration TO anyone interested OF
the truth and justice OF this COM
plant, With all our beautiful public
buildings. the city hall, which houses
the police court, the Offices OF The
clerk Of the court and OF the chief,
captains, secretary, desk yergeants
and the detectives room, IS the one
structure which is absolutely unsuited
Tor its purposes, remains an eycsoTe
TO the public and contradiction OF
our boast Of progress and civic pride
There Is no available space for the
keeping OF files, records and photo
graphs, no waiting room for men
Desses or IN reserve. There is no gym
naslum, no shooting gallery, nor
other place for driil purposes, nor
any available space TO take care OF
unfortunates who apply TO the city
for shelter. These things. in rap
'ilysrowlns city such as ours. should
be taken care OF and amply provided
for
4 book OF regulations for the police
department Is now on the press sub
lf-t 10 AalH dDB.OFdl DE TIC
sion. for use OF the department This
publication contains the ordinance un-
der which the department IS reorGau-
ICED on a grade system. regulations
for uniforms and icr the force
a digest of the ordinances OF Salt
Lake City and ~ the statutes OF Utah
pertaining 20 offspses against puo-
lie peace and safety: the names and
location of ell streets of the city: the
firc districts location 81 fire alarm
and police alarm boxes. q chzptcr
on frst aid 10 the injured; 3 Est OF
public buildings. hospitals and schools
OF salt Lake city and of points Of
interest in and around the city. l.
is. IN short, designed az COM
pnnd!um OF information for the use
Of the police officers In the Satisiac-
tory discharge OF their duty.
The police department has come
through the year within its appro-
pTlatlon and now has an unc.Dended
balance OF several thousand dollars.
Tco much credit cannot be given TO
the chile: Of police ior his able. con-
scieutious and consistent admlnistrs-
tlon OF the affairs OF the Department.
Considering conditions which con-
fronted him and the exposition he has
met from those who have no wish 20
see the laws enforced. and the limited
funda and force al his disposal. the
results are worthy OF particular no
tce and communication
The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1912-12-29
Saving in Paving.

w nile the requirements OF n.
increase certain expenditures a.
ate expenses not hercto(ore /
for. there has been an honesl
successful attempt on the nari
commissioners in all departing
obtain full value 10 the city for
dollar Of public expenditure.
biz no department can show 4
or saving than that shown In n
partmeut or streets and pubiI
provements in the item Of h
The average contract pYico
square ward for twenlv-two Wed,
50 so. The average price per
yard fnr 1912 IL Sis. a sayln,
previous years prices Of SIS GER
square yard, In general the
on contracts awarded this ye,
amounted to about 50 Id per
This simply means that third
work viii be done with the
available for this purpose. Will
saving To abut,iug property OH
enormous.
There has been some Inlsl
standing due TO the fact that IN
eral public does not appear 10
vlsed that paving must bc
strictly in accordance with the
OF intention as first published.
that II Is not permissible ind
law TO make any change afti
original notice has run, III tie
eastern part OF the city the re-
unanimously petitioned for blt
pavement. When the notice
tcntion and specifications and
to bidders had run the sta
time, the same petitioners Tile
tests against that class ol paw
Ii becomes necessary In SUD
Tor new petitions 10 be llled I
cally stating the desire OF The
erty owners, and the statutor.
for publication OF intention a
tlcc TO contractors must clan
fore q contract may be au
CONTINUED OH Following q
The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1912-12-29
Residence Patrol.

With the rearrangemeut effected
early IN 1912, NE reduced the cXecu-
tive stan TO the lowest possible mini
mum and placed all available men on
patrol duty. The beats OF the pa
tEolmen in the business district were
increased IN numbe. and decTesSed IN
extent particularly on the night shift.
Ihis arrangement has proved very
satisfsctoTy and effective and tho
number of beats should be further in
creased on that shift IN order 10 con-
meet the patrols at the depots with
the patrols IN the business district
and also extend our patrol system
farther 20 the east and south towards
tho residence dlstTictg- With the force
increased 20 the number Indicated. 4.
would hu possible 20 assign from ten
20 fliteen patTolmen mounted on b.
cycieS 70 the residence sections and
taus afford police protection where
heretofore none has been had.
Police surveillance is. of courEe.
maintained throughout the twenty
fdur hours OF each day. There arc
three regular shifts D. eight hours
ZACH, which includes every member %
and cap'sinb. whose hourE are prao-
ticaily unlimited AID seldom Jess than
tvelve hours 4 day. At present the
force iE disposed as follows:
Ihe. executive force, consisting %
the chief. secretary. captains. desk
seggsau,s. Jailers. patrol drivers.
rnstron ana jan!tor, ioislizg nineteen
member
There are eight plain clothes men
or detectives. fve motorcycle police
men. uEed In summer rnoathL 10 pa .
troll the streets ana enforce .racic
regulations IN outlying districts and
IN winter a. emergency men az head
arArtars. three Tesula.ly Appointed
mounted men and two special mount
ed men. used 10 gathsT IN stray stock.
enswsT calls and patrol districts nUt
covered by nor accessible 10 motor
cycle policemen. there are ave patrol
men detailed as traffic men from
The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1912-12-29

public service, the comnar.,,.
lay and achievements "S atlv
partinent as compared Ni,h -
months and years and tsn "
adinlhistration OF this cl,y he e
i,n wi,n the administratlons -
cities OF the country "
The city auditor is an =,
nccr. chosen Tor two yna ecu!
eumneht has brought his ]
TO date. Cancelled a lot s -, 20
accounts and kept a cIesa ~ va
municipal receipts and "a.c
lIrcg. "uo q;
The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1912-12-29
Electrical Department.

An innovation in The department
OF public safety was the esta bl!sh-
mont OF an electrical department on
July l.. since that date there have
been 1886 regular Inspections and sa5
special Inspections. elghty-one pls ees
were found defective and changes IN
the wiring ordered. This depart
ment. although new. has found favor
--,,I ,Ea CEREAL nul,li- snS Lsr SoCn
much TO reduce the FIRE risk. Some
additional provisions could be made
here with profit. particularly IN the
testing cf meters. Since fhlr branch
The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1912-12-29
The Police Department.

The present administration was
elected In clean city campaign
In line with It's aims and purposes,
the police department has been com
pietely reorganize6. the force slight
" increased and determined policy
pursued against crime and crimi-
nails. Today organized vice does not
exist in Salt Lake City. Regularly
established sporting houses, pool
rooms. gambling places and opium
dens have been eliminated and there
has been a noticeable decrease in
the number OF questlona ole cnaTac-
+ers "a the city. There arc more OF
iess frequent infractlons OF the law
and ordinances, as there always las
been and probably always VIII be,
since they thrive Ia cities having
three times tho force that Salt Lake
City has for the suppression OF such
things IL Is practically impossible
20 completely eliminate ali kinds OF
Vice. or 10 destroy or Danish law
breakers. Throughout the country
there are stringent laws against bur-
glary and murder. Notwithstanding
which such crimes are continually
Our police department Is entirely
too small for city Of tue area o!
salt Lake City and the results at
tanned are little short OF marvellous
when the size OF the force and the
chsra cter OF It's work IS considered.
SAT- Lake City as compared with
other cities. covers AN area quite
sufficient for a population three or
four times as great as IL now has.
Therefore. on tho basis OF our geo
sra phical area alone, the force should
be considerably increased in num-
bers- In point OF population the
force is Inadequate, as other cities
ot similar population generally au-
thorlzo one patrolman 10 each 700
or 500 inhabitants. Taking the ex-
perience and practice OF other cities
as guide. with our natural growth
and Increase since the census Of 1910.
and the acquisition OF additional ter
rltory and population, we should
provide a force Of at ieagt 1875 as
against the present force OF ninety
three. which includes the chief sec
rotary. captains. serGeants, Jailors.
u!atron and iaultOT.
The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1912-12-29
Fire Department.

The Gre department has been re-
organized and further changes fer
the benefit OF the raen and Improve
ulent OF the service are being conteu-
plated, During the past year old and
useless apparatus has been discarded
and two new motor cars have been
provided The addition OF an aerial
truck and a tractor for the purpose OF
converting one OF our horse driven
engines into q mctor-drlYen vehicle
would place IRE department No. ! on
n motor driven basic and IN prime
condition 10 render more efficient
service IN the business district.
Tao ladder trucks and WAGONS IN
the substntious have all been re-
painted and put In thorough order
Th--qusrters for the men have at
The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1912-12-29
Department Of Finance.

Under the department of public at
fairs and finance are included the
legal department, city treasurer, city
recorder, license department, pur-
chasing agent and city statisticisn.
The legal depar tment has had
tremendous amount OF work during
the current gear incident TO the re-
vision OF the ordinances 10 conform
10 the commission form OF govern
The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1912-12-29

1880 a. m. to Gao .. m. daily. ez-
cept Sunday. on the principal inter
sections In the business district. Tho
efficiency OF these men is demon
strated by the fact that since their
detail was authorized there have been
no serious accidents in the business
district. There are also regular de-
tails OF two shifts at The depots.
The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1912-12-29

tions awaiting action than at any
time In the previous history OF the
city.