The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1913-11-14
THE CONTINGENT FUND.

sions which have existed in some
quarters with reference to the con
tineent fund of the Mayor, Adverse
criticism has been indulged in despite
tho fact that committee of representa-
tive citizens audited the fund at the
request OF the Mayor, sanctioned the
expenditures and declared that pub
licity would prove harmful. Whatever
publicity has been given up to date IN
dieates that the Mayor had the interests
of Salt Lake and its people at heart
when he authorized certain OF the ex-
penditures.
For example, some OF the items show
that the Mayor obtained, at small cost,
water rights greatly needed by the city.
Had the Mayor started out with brass
band to obtain these rights, he would
have made all the noise that his ad-
versaries seem to desire, but would
have been unable to secure the water
rights at a reasonable price, His sue
cess in this regard should be matter
for congratulations. Slowly but surely
Salt Lake has acquired wealth OF
water rights which can be used when
the need arises TO construct great
system which will be adequate for all
the city's requirements for many
years.
In this connection il is cheering to
read that all danger of water famine
this wear has been removed. On We'd
nesday the City Commission authorized
leases by which the city comes into
possession of 100000 gallons OF ad-
ditiona daily fow from Big Cotton
wood Canyon during the period from
October to March 81 for the next ten
wears. Through the efforts of the
Mayor and the Engineer the city OBJ
tanned leases on springs just north OF
the mouth of Big Cottonwood Canyon.
Tho water rises at a level which
debars the city from piping it into the
conduits and therefore basis of ex-
change has been arranged. The water
from the springs viii be traded TO
farmers and they viii give IN exchange
waters from the upper canal. This step
is preliminary to more extensive nego-
tiations between the city and the own
ers of Big Cottonwood water by
which it is planned eventually to ac-
quire all the water Of the upper canal,
or about 4,000,0O0 gallons, for use in
the city. The farmers now receive
Inost of the flow. and when it is turned
into the city conduit they Will he com.
pensated by receiving an equal amount
of water from the springs which the
city has leased
Other expenditures in the contingent
fund were for trips that heads of the
departments made 10 conventions and
conferences in other cities IL seems to
Us that these were legitimate and even
praiseworthy outlays. In American
cities where changes in the personnel Of
officials arc frequent the National or re-
gional conventions held from time 10
time are highly profitable TO city Off
cials, and especially to those officials
newly elected or appointed. Moreover,
in this progressive age new things are
constantly being discovered In civic
affairs as well as in the scientific field.
Nowadays no doctor is thought 20
have finished his education until he
retires from practice. Il is the custom
among physicians to make long and ex-
pensive trips 10 study the latest dis.
coveries Of medical science at their
source. And just as phys;cians End II
necessary 10 keep pace with the ad-
vaneement of knowledge in their pro.
fession, so It is necessary for city en-.
gineers, fire and police chiefs, and even
the heads Of the fiscal departments to
attend conventions and other meetings
where the latest information on munici.
pal methods Is TO be obtained.
Without discussing the merits of ali
the Mayors expenditures, It can be
said with justice that few will be found
to criticise in good faith the two classes