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Show Mayor's Message Contains fvSany 5mporf:an Suggestions Mayor John I'.rausford submitted Ida annual message to the new city council jl noon Monday. The document contains some tlrm-ly siiffKOKtloiw ns to improvo-menls improvo-menls hi the city Koveniir.etil and recommends rec-ommends some Important changes In some of the departments. The. mayor urges Increased efficiency In street lighting and recommends the consideration of u city powciplanl. An increase in the number of Hrw stations, with equipment; the enlargement of the polico department-and tins cily jail, the establlshmiiut of public comfort stations and playgrounds, revision of the city ordinances, or-dinances, extension of the water works system, conservatism h the matter of granting franchises and an Increase In salaries commensurate with the cost of living are among the other important recommendations of the mayor. The message in full is as follows: "Gentlemen: The ever recurring cycle of ovonts has again brought us to the clofc of another year. II bus been a year marked and distinguished by many events in our municipal life, some of which have been fraught with great importance im-portance to the city's welfare, development develop-ment and progress. Bright Prospects. "It is. therefore, with great encouragement encourage-ment as to the future that I greet you gentlemen who have been chosen by the people of your several constituencies to represent them In the legislative depart- ! ment of our municipality. "As you arc doubtlessly familiar in the largest degree with the work which hnj been ax-compllslicd and possibly no less with that which Is in contemplation, it Is therefore unnecessary for me to enter Into any lengthy or.dctalled statement of the work of the past year. "The expansion of our city and its phenomenal phe-nomenal growth havo brought us In contact con-tact with many pluuses of r.lvle life, to which I might say wc were formerly almost al-most strangers. One phase particularly of this growth Is the extent to which our population has kept on increasing. We have, therefore, been impelled in dealing with those various problems, particularly thj one Inst mentioned, in conformity with the advanced ideas of modern city government, and In order lo carry forward for-ward the many Improvements instituted, lo Increase the expenditures in the various va-rious departments. "Yel. notwithstanding, realizing that excosslvc: prodigality is oft times more fatal fa-tal to the life of a city than the utmost conservatism, we have, at all times endeavored en-deavored to carry out the work of our administration in a rational and wholc-somo wholc-somo manner, with a view to conserving the 'financial resources of the city as far as that may be done in carrying out the wishes of the. people In their demands for increased improved conditions. Street LightinE. "One of the questions demanding tho most thorough attention and care is Hint of the lighting of our streets. In connection connec-tion wilji requirements nnd demands is the necessity for an increase in the number num-ber of street lights, particularly in our expanding business district. "Our city is fortunate In being possessed pos-sessed of a water power which might be sufficient. -If utilized toward that end. lo fiirnMi the necessary energy for the operating of n system of lighting. Tt might, therefore, be expedient lo build anil operate a plant which would produce a supply of electric energy s'nt'Mcleul for si reel lighting and the operating of tho pumping plant for the intercepting sewer. "The city has the light under the terms of the franchises heretofore granted, to build and construct syMcin of conveyance convey-ance of electric power, such as would be sufficient for all needs and requirements of the eity so far an a lighting system is ' eoncerncd. Tt must he borne in mind, however, that the Inst Itul Ion of such a plant would demand an expenditure of Inoncy that would havo to bo inet by tho city. 7f. however, we should decide to ! carry out the improvements herein suggested sug-gested in I he course f few years, tho cost of insinuation and -the running expenses ex-penses Incident thereto would . soon be pyfd, I hnvc no doubt' that your honorable honora-ble body will give this mailer your earnest earn-est and earliest attention. I would recommend rec-ommend that, a committee be appointed to make investigations upon the subject and report their findings. License Dcpartinont.. "The licensing department, ie the matter mat-ter of collections, t am pleaserl to slate, bn.l succeeded beyond our expectations. Tin- amount collected has exceeded during dur-ing the year J f0f that of the previous year by about $75.0011. This is a splendid Showing and is strong material evidence or the. growth of the city during the same -iud. II might b" well to state hi Ibis regard that the auditor's office Js becom-i becom-i Ing of greater importance ye.n- hy year, and the work of that office is increasing ! to sucji an extent that I should be in fa-'nr fa-'nr of placing the matter of coiled Ion of I licenses In a department separate and ; distinct from that of I he auditor's office. It should be no part of the- duties of tho 'auditor to have the collection of licenses In .hand. An ordinance creating the of fice of license collector should be passed and a responsible person placed in charge, under such bond as might be deemed advisable ad-visable to properly safeguard the Interests Inter-ests of the city. I'nder the present system sys-tem the city treasurer Is the collector of dog taxes and the supervisor of streets the collector of poll taxes. In the -event of the creation of the department of license, li-cense, such department should assume the. functions of the treasurer and street supervisor su-pervisor so far as 5t applies lo the collection col-lection of licenses. Purchasing Department. "The purchasing ' o supplies for th" various departments of the cllv government govern-ment Is freighted with a large degree of responsibility, so much so, in fact, that it would seem to nic to bo advisable that Ibis function, in order that it might be conducted on a proper business basis, and therefore more evidently handled, that It should bo placed under capable and intelligent in-telligent control. Experience has taught corporations, both large and small, that the only proper and efficient method of conducting this part of the business is to have it taken care of under n separate and distinct head, thereby effecting a saving of lime and money. 1 should therefore there-fore recommend the organization of such a department, and it Is my conviction that an honest and fair trial will demonstrate demon-strate It to be a valuable adjunct to our municipal government. "In my annual message of one year ago I called attention to the fact that there should he a cltv stable and store department centrally located lo meet the requirement and needs of the city. In this respect I inn more convinced than ever that this should be done, and would again respectfully submit tho matter for your consideration. "At tho close of each year, and more particularly at the closo of an administration, adminis-tration, them should be a very careful auditing of the books and uecountspf all-tho. all-tho. departments of the city. In view of the new system Inaugurated In keeping the accounts in the several departments, little time should he consumed in this work. I would recommend that some one be designated lo carefully go over .all the department books and report their findings find-ings at as early a dale as possible. Health Department. "It is imposslblo to overestimate tho value to the community of a thoroughly organized and efficiently handled health department. It should be the duty of the administration io carefully safeguard the .health and to promolo the comfort of the people. II. therefore, becomes necessary In conducing to these ends, that the Inspection In-spection of food be carefully carried out; much care, should be exercised In securing secur-ing men properly qualified for this tlass 'of work. "Needless to say thai all rules and regulations looking towards the promoting promot-ing of wholesome, healthy surroundings should be rigorously enforced, and that wherever practicable and possible the r roper sewer connections should be made, it this connection I should deem, tt expedient ex-pedient to say that our citizens should, as far as possible, asr-ist this department by a strict compliance with the provisions of Hie law applicable to the department under consideration. 'Tn the past year Hits depart ment in the matter (if Hie inspection of food products meats and the like, has been such as to commend itself to the highest regard of the community. Garbage. "Ouo Item regarding tho preservation of the health of the people and one which should not be underestimated Is tho removal re-moval of garbage and its proper disposition. disposi-tion. .During my incumbency as mayor of Hie city T hnvc given this subject my careful and thorough consideration, and I bao reached the conclusion Hint th" hauling of the garbage should be placed under Hit? control of the street department. depart-ment. Uy reason of the fact that this department de-partment has deputies in all parts of the city, they ran the more carefully observe the conditions attaching to the collection off refuse and lis disposition; and in many Instances ashes and cinders might be used by the street, department wherever large fills are. being made. I'.y placing ihe hauling of the garbage, under the care of the street department, belter opportunities opportuni-ties will be secured for giving a closer inspection of piemiseH where garbage. In collected In large quantities. Should tho change herein suggested bo instituted. I would further suggeM that teams used In Ibis work be paid a. per diem instead or bv weight as at present. I am thoroughly thor-oughly . convinced that the proposed change will secure Letter sanitary conditions, condi-tions, nnd recommend that it be effected. Public Comfort Stations. "One of the impro emenls of a modern city and one which I would suggest should receive your best consideration Is thai of public' comfort illations or lavatories. la-vatories. Public health condition; mill a due regard for the convenience ;niI coniforl of our citizens and foe traveling travel-ing public, coming here In ever Increasing Increas-ing numbers every year have created a demand for these institutions-. "It may be true tha,t up to the present time few cities are possessed ot th e se places, yet that Is no reason, or at least! should not be a reason, for overlooking such an Important necessity. I would recommend that this subject be brought to the attention of tho hoard of health and the sanitary committee for proper investigation. T have in a. former portion of this message alluded to the rapid growth which our city Is sustaining. Tills has brought about a large degree of confidence confi-dence In the future of the city; and the. consequent development of our resources has brought forth Its natural result In the Increased desire of the people for public Improvements of every kind. At no time In the history of Salt Lake Cltv has there beep such a widespread desire for the construction of sidewalks, ami the paving of streets, as has been shown during the year which has just been closed The extensive construction of sowers !s likewise an evidence of the desire de-sire of the people for a thoroughly modern mod-ern and well governed city. S'o great hns been the demand upon tho pari of the people for these improvements that the cost io the city resulting from tho granting grant-ing and constructing of the improvements improve-ments Just mentioned is so great as not to permit the granting of all applications. Regrets Governor's Veto. "It Is to be regretted that the law is such as will not permit of the total cost of these improvements being homo by tho owners of the properly abutting on the streets sought lo be Improved. Tt Is within your recollection that the state law governing this matter was amended by the last legislature, which amendment permitted the cost for all of such Improvement!) to bo charged In full to the property owner When the law was finally .submitted lo his excellency. Governor Gov-ernor Spry, fo'r his consideration, ho did not deem It advisable to approve the same. I would again recommend that the matter bo brought to the. attention of the next seiou of the legislature. "fn the last year my attention has been repeatedly called to the need of having men properly qualified lo act as inspectors tn all case. were public Improvements were being carried forward, for-ward, and 11 would seem to me. from What has come under my personal observation, ob-servation, that some form of examination should be used so as lo determine the qualllicn lions of those who might apply for such positions. "It is absolutely necessary I hat only the best men available for such work should be employed I can readily understand under-stand that tlio board of publlo works cannot at all limes find men who .-no possessed of sufficient technical knowledge knowl-edge for this class of work who are willing will-ing to be employed for the amount of pay that tho city allows. Police and Prison. ".My attention has been called to Ihe eondlion of our city jail. I"roin what I have observed It is apparent that the accommodation is so scant and I lie number num-ber of inmates is so large at times, that those In charge are compelled lo utilize, the corridors and other places in and around police headquarter. "This condition is a menace to the health of Uin inmates, as well as to those who by reason of the nature of their duties arc compelled lo bo there. Tills condition should be remedied, and lo this end 1 would favor Hie enlargement enlarge-ment of the jail by the inslallatlon of mieli additional cells as might be requited. re-quited. "The problem of the control of tho criminal classes and the eradication of crime is demanding Hie most serious and painstaking consideration of .ill students of social science, no les than iliat of every municipal go -ninienl . Il is therefore there-fore impritivo that Ihe police depnrt- ment should be. const! luted of such men as shall faithfully perform tho duties belonging to this office. No less imperative, impera-tive, is it that there :.hould bo a requisite requi-site number of men employed In tho department; de-partment; so that every effort may be made to lessen tho crimes. Fire Dopartiucnt. "What lias been said with reference to tho police department will apply equally well to tho tire department, with the erection of the two tiro stations, ono In the southeastern portion and the other In the southwestern portion of the city. It would appear that this department In In a poultlon to properly care for the city. Owing to the nature of the. work of this department, it is necessary that the IiJghcst standard of excellence In equipment and apparatus should be maintained. main-tained. "The work of tho street department every year Is' becoming moro and more responsible. "With the annexation that has taken place tho number of miles of ylrcets to bey. cared for Is being Increased, In-creased, and Ibis of course means additional addi-tional equipment and an Increase of the work to be done. "Tho need of providing for the children chil-dren of suitable playgrounds Is entitled to the consideration of all of our citizens. citi-zens. They are a source of health as well as an outlet for the energies which may at times readily lake on a serious form. The provision of a suitable apparatus ap-paratus "wpuld be a valuable adjunct to such grounds and would no doubt be very much appreciated by both young "A commendable feature of all modern mod-ern cities is the acquisition of public parks and playgrounds. Public parks serve to beautify tho city and their existence ex-istence from an esthetic standpoint cannot can-not be too highly emphasized. Their usefulness use-fulness In instructing tho people in the need for recreation and also of giving them opportunities for enjoying the rarac, merit our utmost approval. These, therefore, there-fore, should be maintained in the highest high-est condition of excellence. Canals. "The surplus canal should be opened and widened to such an extent as lo permit per-mit of the carrying of the proper volume of water. During the high water season sea-son muclf trouble and annoyance is caused to, those of our citizens living In the southwestern portion of our community com-munity by reason of the overflow of the river. This can bo adjusted by the widening of the surplus cnnnl, which action ac-tion will carry away sufficient water to relieve the situation. I respectfully recommend rec-ommend that this subject be Investipilcd and such work ordered done as may bo necessary In the premises, "The granting of franchises to public utility companies should be exercised In a conservative manner and with a view to preserving the rights of our pcoplu As our cily expands and grows nnd the resources of the surrounding country become be-come developed the wants of tho people In respect to these utilities become moro pronounced. It should, therefore, be our aim to very cautiously scrutinize the details de-tails of all franchises applied for. Jt should also be our aim to see to It that the proper compensation Is given the city for the use of such privileges by whom such" rights arc received Ordinances. "I would respect fullj call your attention atten-tion lo the condition arising from the inconvenience in-convenience clue to the present condition of our ordinances. The lust revision of ordinances took place In the year 1902 and became effective in 100;:, since which time many now ordinances havo been passed. This renders It very difficult to ascertain what the law of the city Is in regard to matters that aro frequcnlly up for consideration. I favor a revision of the ordinances at this time and submit this recommendation for your action. "o great has been the advance In the cost of living that tlie salaries paid arc not commensurate with this increase. Tho heads of departments are not. In . my Judgment, paid as well as they should be paid; Indeed, there is great need for a proper adjustment of the wages of all city employees. This I submit for your attention. Waterworks. "It is gratifying to know thai the city Is possessed of an excellent, water system, sys-tem, by which the people, are being supplied sup-plied with an abundance of pure water. ICveiy effort should be directed to an ex-iension ex-iension of the system tto such pai of the city . as may be In need of this utility. "In conclusion, I wish to slate that in pipscnthig these lnatteiv for your consideration con-sideration and approval I hope that the efforts put forth by your honorable body and Ihe administration as a whole will merit the sanction and commendation of our people. I furl her trust that you will nobly respond to the confidence placed In your integrity by the electors of the city. And J feel thnfln commencing upon your work and In undertaking the duties which will devolve upon you. your efforts will bo directed for the advancement and prosperity of Salt Lake City "I trust that the relations between the various branches of tho city government will be of the most harmonious nature and that we will all strive for one end, namely, the upbuilding of our city." |