The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1895-05-04

For some days past quiet negotia-
tons have been on between the three
soap companies of this city, which
control the trade of the territory and,
in fact, the entire intermountain coun-
try, looking to a consolidation of in
terests, and yesterday afternoon it
was announced that matters had so
shaped themselves that the successful
elimination OF these negotiations was
practically assured. The formal ar
ticles of agreement have not yet been
signed. but it is anticipated that
within the next few days, if not today,
all of the necessary signatures will be
attached and the new ombina ton ne
floated. All of the parties in interest
are very guarded as to their move
ments in the matter, and to date have
refused TO make public the full de-
tails of the consolidation. 1t will be
effected on the broadest lines possible,
but the soap manufacturing interests
in this section of the west will be in
the hands of one management, and it
IS understood but one of the three
plants in this city will be operated,
although there is a possibility of one
being unable to take care of all of
the business of the three companies,
and in that event one other will prob
ably be added.
There are three soap companies in
this city-the Utah Soap company, the
Salt Lake Soap company, and the
Grant Soap company-and since the
date of the commencement of active
operations by the latter the fight for
supremacy has been bitter. Every
possible method to catch trade has
been adopted by the rival companies,
with the result that the consumers
have been receiving the very best soap
in the world at figures below the low
est known few years ago. The man
ufacturers have catered to the trade
in every manner possible and the drive
for business has been terrific. Now the
companies have tired of this undue
competition and it has been decided to
make a general reduction in operating
expenses by a, combination of inter
ests and continue the operation of but
one plant. if that is sufficient to take
care of the trade, but others, should
there be an increase. 1t is anticipated
that with this change made the stock
holders of the companies will be able
to secure a least interest on their in
vestments. The splendid quality of
the soap is to be maintained and the
combination will make its drive
against the imported soaps instead OF
the companies continuing the present
warfare against each other. Even
without the local competition the fate
of the Utah soap manufacturers will
be hard enough. There is a factory at
Ogden, and it is quite possible that
the company there may be asked to
join with the Salt Lake institutions in
the pool.
Although there has been no decision
on the matter. it is more than likely
that the plant of the Utah Soap COM
pany, on Third West street, will be
the one operated continuously in the
event of the combination being eff
fected These works are of the great
est capacity and have the boiling ket-
ties necessary to supply those brands
of soap which have proved the most
popular with the general public.
With the exception of those of the
Salt Lake Soap company, the major
ity of the stockholders of the soap
companies doing business in this ter
ritory are outside people. this being
the case with the Utah and
the Grant. The Whites and the Pugs-
leys are the heavy owners in the
Salt Lake company. The plant of the
latter is under lease to the Pugsleys
and that lease does not expire until the
last day Of the present month.