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Show 50 ONE HUNDRED YEARS OF WATER DEVELOPMENT THE OPPOSITION Opposition to the proposal centered in what came to be known as the " Property Owners Investigating Committee." This organization sought to defeat the proposal on the grounds that the board of directors of the district would degenerate into " political dummies," " a tool of politicians"; that the possibility of participation in the Provo River Project need not be considered but that instead, " local sources" ought to be looked to, such as further development of artesian waters, additional acquisitions of mountain stream water, and the purchase of water issuing from the Spiro tunnel near Park City. The issues were thus clearly and sharply defined and were argued on both sides over a considerable period of time before almost every public and civic body interested in the welfare of the community, and all opinions and the statements on both sides were widely publicized in the public press. THE ELECTORS CREATE WATER DISTRICT The election was held on August 15, 1935, and a majority of the electors of Salt Lake City who voted on the proposal voted in favor of it, with the result that on August 30, 1935 a certificate of incorporation was issued by the Secretary of State incorporating the Metropolitan District of Salt Lake City. THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE METROPOLITAN WATER DISTRICT OF SALT LAKE CITY The Metropolitan Water District Act left it open to the Board of Commissioners of Salt Lake City prescribe the number, character, and tenure of office of the District's directors. That was the next subject of interest and consideration of both the Commission and the public. On this the Salt Lake Telegram commented editorially on August 24, 1935, and well expressed the attitude and point of view of both the Commissioners and the public generally : " In the appointment of a board of directors for the Salt Lake City water district, recently authorized by the electorate, Mayor Louis Marcus faces a vital task. On his selection will depend, in a large measure, the success or failure of the project. " No more intricate problem confronts Salt Lake City than that pertaining to its water supply. Our water history is not calculated to create any degree of civic pride. One mistake has been piled on another with the result that the new board will have to accept a lot of ancient difficulties as well as current responsibilities. ". . . The selection of technical help ought to be the function and the prerogative of the new board." A city ordinance on this subject was passed by the Board of Commissioners on September 11, 1935, which set up a directorate of seven members, one of whom it was provided should be |