The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-04-16
THE EIEGTRIC-LIGHT TRUST.
Some Things That Would Make Such Conn
bination improbable at This Time.

Brainard Rorison. when questioned as To the
report that large syndicate was forming in the
United States which to control all the cleo
tric-lieht systems, said that he did not know of
such thing. and thought that She report was
altogether improbable, for the reason that the
Brush company is suing nearly all the
other companies in the country 80 compel them
to stop manufacturing lamps because complain
ing company claims to have the original patent.
which all the systems using. They We're
granted the patent in 1885, after it had been
pending several years, and many other com
paniss had sprung into existence. The COM
pany Immediately conmenced suit against all
other companies TO compel them to pay royalty
or quit the business. This suit" he continued
lis pending. and its decision. if favorable
to the Brush people, will have the biggest effect
on the .electric-fght business that has hap
pened in a long time. Since the Brush COM
pany claims to have things in its own
hands il would be altogether improb-
able that it will go into any
combinasion with other companies It would
in measure compromise It's claims now in
court. the Jenny company has an immunity
way by it's decision. Combinations have been
formed in some cities. but they only included
local capital and local business. This kind of
combination now holds IN Chicago and Phlladel-
phia, but the organizations have no effect out
side of those two cities. 1t is simply mani
festAtion of a tendency which is universal in
competing to eventually form kind of
trust. dc not think, however. any such thing
as national combination will occur. at least
NOT soon, though in time it might have an ex-
istence.1
Are cities generally adopting electric lights2r
Yes; nearly all cities have them going
to have them. We are putting plants in, not
only large cities, but also in many
of tie smaller ones. There is question that
it is the light of the future. The claim made by
some supporters of the gas company that
1t IS costlier than gas Is simply contrary fact
Instances be cited. many Of them, where
towns and cities have found electricity not only
much cheaper, but far superior in its illuminat=
pute that last proposition. Electricity is such
vast Improvement over anything Indianapolis
has ever had in the gas line that there is in my
Judgment simply no COMPARISON. / think that
500 lights. placed as has been suggested, will be
amply sufficient to light the city. and it will be
done in way that will be satisfactory to every
citizen of Indianapolis
will your company submit q proposition to
light the cityl"
II cannot say as to that. am not prepared
TO state what we will do. However. / do not
believe as many companies will bid
inclined TO think."
What would be the cost Of putting in first
class plant7'
Il should say something in the neiehborhood
of 500. 000 That would, of course. give the city
a frst-cIass light. of the OPINION that it
could be done for that. If the amount now paid
annually for gas should De paid for three four
years to an eIectric-light company it is highly
probable bids could be received with the
condition that the plant at the end of four
years would be turned over to the city,