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Show THE CITIZEN 4 Aside from these very material objections to the plan of the financiers, contractors and the commissioners, there is one general objection which, we believe, will influence the taxpayers to vote down the project. The whole scheme was broached suddenly and without die consideration by its authors and promoters. Some of the commissioners who, at first indorsed it, have since either openly condemned it or declined to speak in its favor. In a word, the scheme is little understood either by its proponents or the taxpayers. More time is needed in which to work out a definite plan for an adequate water supply and water system. The taxpayers cannot afford to make a $3,300,000 blunder at a time when taxes arc excessively high, for such a blunder would mean that all of that sum would have to be spent over again with other millions added to it. UTAHS DELEGATION As the time for the Republican convention at Price approaches the delegates should give serious attention to their opportunity of doing something for their state. No doubt, the usual flock of politicians will be at Price to demand favors for themselves or their friends. But this is the year, of all years, when the Republicans to do something for the best interests have a magnificent-chance of the party and the state. Utah needs an uninstructed, untrammeled delegation at Chicago. Utah will be guided by considerations of state patriotism if it does not instruct its delegation and if it sees to it that all and all aspirants for office are excluded from the delegation. Only in that way can a genuinely untrammeled delegation be sent to Chicago, a delegation not bound down to any special interest or candidate, a delegation free to take advantage of each situation as it arises and thereby regain for the Republican party of Utah long-loprestige in Republican counsels. The delegates to Price should regard the convention as a convention of the people, by the people, and for the people. That is a good, old Republican principal enunciated by Lincoln. It is a principle to which all of us can subscribe. The delegates to Chicago should be representative, not of any ring, interest or candidate, but of the people. If such a delegation is chosen to Chicago, our state will win its proper place in Republican counsels in a Republican year. office-holde- rs st WHAT ABOUT BOCK? We have not heard that Attorney General Shields of Utah has brought suit against Mayor Bock for malfesance in office. On the contrary we have noted a ghastly silence in Democratic circles since last week when The Citizen called attention to the fact that E. A. Motor Parts company, that Bock organized the Edwards-Warde- n he was still connected with that company and that the company was selling its labor and products to the city in violation of law. No law on the statute books has received more publicity than the statute which forbids municipal officers to be directly or indirectly interested in anv contract, work or business, or in the sale of any article, the expense, price or consideration of which is paid from the treasury, or by any assessment levied by any act or ordinance. Every official, from the highest to the lowest, knows of that law. It is familiar to every citizen. And yet Bock organized the company while a city official and that company has continued to sell to the city all the time that he has been mayor. The company has grown great and flourished and has been able to establish a branch. Here is an opportunity for the attorney general to awake from n his lethargy. The state seldom hears of any activity on his part except when he is promising to do something. Like the esteemed attorney general of these United States, he made a great flourish about reducing the high cost of living. If our memory serves, he junketed to the cast to learn how to deal with this paramount question, but when he returned he sank into that restful state for which he is noted. The Citizen recently published charges made against the state road department. These charges were of a grave character and had well-know- to do with discrepancies in the payrolls. II. C. Osterman, and field secretary of the Lincoln Highways, was the author of the charges. He declared that the state, after entering into a contract and accepting $100,000 from a private source to apply on the building of the road, failed to fulfill its contract and padded its. payrolls. Mr. Osterman says that the superintendent of the road work sent him a payroll for each month and that when he compared it with the payroll submitted by the state, he found that in. some instances the total of the states payroll for the month were thousands of dollars above the total on the superintendents payroll. The Citizen published the graft charges and asked that the Democratic administration make some explanation. None was forthcoming. It was a case for the investigation of the attorney general, but he made no move. Now The Citizen calls attention to a charge quite as serious and still the attorney general makes no move. Is it because Mayor Bock has an efficient Democratic machine as well as a lucrative private business which has been gleaning municipal dollars? Just now the city administration, headed by Mayor Bock, is asking for $3,300,000 of the peoples money. The issue is not a party issue, but it is perhaps not out of place to emphasize the fact that the Democratic commissioners are a unit in support of this grab. Mr. Burton, whb, at first, opposed the bond issue, quickly discovered that he had offended certain interests. He had picked up the wrong receiver and had rushed off to oppose the bonds. Then he was recalled to the political telephone and what he heard ovc: the other receiver convincd him that it was his duty to support the bonds. Since then he has been cheek by jowl with Mayor Bock and Commissioner Neslen plotting the great grab. He has been so bus that he has not not had time to take care of the work of his own department. The streets were neglected and when a big snowstorm came he was caught napping. He was still asleep when the flood came that devastated the northwestern part of the city. Is this the kind of an administration the taxpayers of the city wish entrusted with $3,300,000. vice-preside- nt . -- CRABBE OPPOSES BONDS Commissioner A. H. Crabbe, a business man of long experience, has come out against the bond issue. We quote the following from a communication which he sent to the morning papers of April 23 : First: I am heartily in favor of acquiring additional water and water rights at this time, because I do not believe there will ever come a time when they could be obtained at a less cost to the city than now. However, with construction work, it is a different matter. Two or three weeks ago I was of the opinion that the peak of high prices had been reached, and that they must gradually recede. Decidedly to the contrary, prices of construction work keep on climbing day by day and who knows when and where the end will be. The city has recently received numerous bids for construction work and in each instance the ever climbing prices are in evidence. This phase of the situation should be carefully considered by the voters. Considering the enormous amount of money involved, and the fact that during these perilous times, $3 will barely do the construction work that $1 should, I hesitate to share the responsibility of advising the public to vote for the bonds at this time. There are also other points to be considered. For instance, the conditior of the bond market is altogether unsatisfactory. Owing to, the increase in wages, cost of material, equipment, etc., the present requirements of the city government makes a substantial raise in the tax levy inevitable, whether the bonds carry or not. I feel that it is my duty, as a public official, to make known all of these facts the public vote on questions involving such an expenditure of money. There has been considerable said by the general public regarding the condition? of our present dams and reservoirs as to their safety. While I personally feel that they are safe and sound, I am in favor of the appropriation of a sufficient amount of money to make a thorough test and examination of them, as well as the proposed new sites before making any changes or proceeding with new construction. These tests and examinations I would like to see made by our own engineer, associated with other competent engineers. Fortunately, there is a vast amount of snow in the mountains at this time, which indicates a plentiful water supply for the coming summer. Because of the fact that so many interested taxpayers have asked my opinion on this matter, I am desirous that the public in general shall know my attitude. A. H. CRABBE. Interest in local business circles has been centering about the selection of superintendent for the Z. C. M. I. The contest is said to be between B. F. Grant, former chief of police, and John Bennett. The chances, at this writing, arc said to be in favor of Mr. Bennett. |