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Show ONE HUNDRED YEARS or WATER DEVELOPMENT 49 manent water committee to study the future needs for the water development of Salt Lake City." The most clear- cut statement of this point of view was that of The Salt Lake Tribune of August 14, 1935: " Qualified voters of Salt Lake City next Thursday will determine whether or not they will put the city in a position to work an orderly water development program or whether they will insist that the hit and miss policies of the past will continue. In this week's election there is but one issue, and that is whether or not the city shall organize a water district to administer municipal water affairs and resources. " More water is needed, and the only question at issue is whether the city will get it through this form of organization or some other. The fact of the matter is that close investigation seems to reveal that there is no other way of adding materially to the water supply of Salt Lake City. In no other way can the city hope to obtain federal or private funds with which to conduct an adequate program for the future. " In the recent negotiations with regard to Deer Creek, we found that the city could not participate without some such preliminary action as is now proposed. The same thing would hold true of. any other supply which could add materially to existing resources, whether they were to be financed by private or public funds." The editorial went on to say: " We are not alarmed by the fact that this board will be named by the city commission. We have enough confidence in the commission and the integrity of the electorate to believe that this plan has as many advantages as disadvantages. It is to be borne in mind by the public that Salt Lake City is not disposing of its water resources, is not selling them or giving them away. Section 6 of article 12 of the constitution prohibits any such departure, and so we are to conclude that the proposed departure is primarily one of administration and one that is designed to improve the situation, rather than to add to existing woes. " The Salt Lake Tribune believes that the metropolitan water district is a step in the right direction, that it points the way to the ultimate solution of our water problem and for that reason urges support of the project at the election on Thursday. In reality, the proposed district is nothing more nor less than the answer to the criticisms of the past and a response to the public urge for a water unit which could have consistent and enduring policies and objectives, and at the same time bear the attributes of a utility which could and would return a profit on its operation. When we stop to consider that city water purchases are largely for resale to the consuming public, there is little to fear if its business possibilities are competently managed and directed." |
