The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1913-10-21
upon the Congress, which would be in
difficulty at once.
THE PRIMARIES TODAY.

Inc Tribune urges Hloo' e"i hoo'iJ
that all qualified voters should 20 to
the primary today and express their
choice on two candidates for nominees
for commissioners and for one can
didate for city auditor, to be voted
on at the municipal election on the
4th day of November next, 1t is only
by doing this that satisfactory candi-
dates can be chosen. 1t would be a
shame to the city to allow unsatisfac-
tory or Objectionable candidates to be
selected at today's primaries, when
there are so many good men among
whom TO make choice.
The Tribune has not urged the can
didacy of any individual, or opposed
the candidacy Of any one. We believe
in fair field and no favor in this
primary contest. We do not believe in
political nominations for these offices,
since the law unQuestionably was en-
acted for the purpose of doing
away with politics in municipal cleo
tions, though we should have been glad
Of sitting of names IN public meet
ings. Whether the intent of the law
is the best thing for the city or not Is
something that will have to be de-
termined by test. Prima facie, partisan
politics have no proper place In munich
pal elections or in the management OF
city affairs, since it is impossible for
city to do anything by way of legls'
latine on partisan lines. The legisla'
tion of cities is very strictly defined,
and no city is authorized to adopt po-
litical partisan ideas OF to shape munich
pal affairs upon any form of politics.
1t is generally and quite properly
agreed that municipal affairs are really
business affairs, and should be con-
Quoted in a business-like way, precisely
as any large corporation would conduct
its affairs for the best interests Of the
corporation.
The taxes should be made as low as
possible, and public improvements
should be pushed to the utmost extent
that the city's resources will permit.
There should be continued additions
to our water supply, and the piping
system, especially the mains, should be
enlarged so that a better distribu
tion Of the water could be ac.
complished. 1t is always popular thing
supply. There is nothing more i'm
portant than that for this city; conse-
quently, everyone who seeks Office lays
stress on his advocacy Of increasing
the water supply of the city. This is
admirable in all candidates; the fact
is important that they favor doing
everything possible to increase the
cIty's water supply. But the time has
come now when, in order TO make the
increased water supply available as
rapidly as the city can use it, read
justment Of our piping system is neces-
sary, especially by increasing the size
of our mains and making R consistent
relation in the size OF all pipes all over
the city TO the service, so that tho wa
ter supplied will be distributed in
the best and most economic and the
most satisfactory method to the water
users.
The city is now practically at its
limit of indebtedness. To increase that
limit would be TO add TO the interest
account that the city would have TO
pay annually, and consequently to the
burden of the taxpayers. It is desir
able, therefore, to proceed with caution,
and to do from time to time as much as
possible in any given year, working al
ways to the end of more systematic
water distribution and such economies
as will permit of the greatest amount
being done in every year.
There are also further drains upon
the treasury, such as maintaining parks
and opening new ones, keeping up the
street system, adding to the paved dis
tricts, and in general keeping up with
tho spirit of the times IN making pub
lie improvements in the city. All these
things cost money, but it is the boast
of good business men that they effect
important results without materially
adding TO the general expense. Salt
Lake City is in a position when this
business view should be made the most
effective, and with the view Of apply
ing that effectiveness to the advance
ment of the city the voters should
place their ballots at the, primary cleo
tion today.