The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1895-10-31

Notwithstanding the denials Of the
officials-or rather. the members
the Citizens Electric Light company
that there are to be no cuts made in
the schedule of rates, there is to be a
rate war, and if the Citizens people
do not care to take part in it the Salt
Lake & Ogden Gas and Electric Light
company win provide for the reduction
on its own hook. This was the official
announcement made yesterday even
ing by officials of the latter company,
although they did not use the state
ment that it would be a rate war, but
rather that there would be some re-
auctions and other changes for the
better made in order that the consum-
ers. NAV receive at least the temporary
benefit Of the competition now on in cleo
trio circles. Among the changes will
be the doing away with the enforced
meter deposit where the consumer is
reliable citizen. Still another provision
in the changed schedule is that the
company will defray the cost of all
gas and electrical installations on time
payments AS might be inferred from
this announcement, the members CT
the Salt Lake & Ogden company have
their English up, as it were, any they
are prepared to make great fight in
the protection of their business. For
some time past ]. A. Kelman, secre-
tary of the English trust that owns
the stock of the company-or the ma
iority of it, at least-has been in the
city for the purpose of Investigate
the affairs of the company, and his
examination has given very satisfac-
tory results, although the prospects of
a very brisk competition did not give
the greatest of pleasure. The old COM
pany has buckled down to it, however,
and the fight is now on. Mr.. Kelman
left for the east last night and will
sail for England directly after his ar
rival in New York. Just prior to his
departure the gentleman consented to
give out an official interview as rep
resentative of the English board of
the company.
ut is pretty we'll known" said Mr.
Kelman. that the promoters of the
so-called Citizens Electric company are
the very men who purchased the old
company's shares from the city, MAX
ing great promises at that time as to
the improvements they were going to
make upon the plant, etc. Within
thirty days of that transaction they
had sold these shares, including the
business, at a very handsome profit to
themselves. The business they then
sold they are now trying to take from
the purchasers It is also a fact, [
believe, that the same people doomed
natural gas with the object of getting
a large profit; but in that they were
disappointed. Strange stories are also
about as to similar transactions in the
neighborhood of LeadviIle."
do you mean that the object of the
opposition is blackmail?" asked our re-
porter.
81 make no insinuations," said Mr..
Kelman; but if such should be the
object in view, it will not succeed.
We will rather give the citizens of Salt
fight"
What do YOU mean by temporary
benefit, Mr. Kelman?"
THE citizens" said he, never get
any ultimate benefit from a war of
rates. The consumer in the end has to
pay the loss; as witness the most re-
cent case of the Denver Water COM
pany"
At this point the gentleman's atten-
ton was called to the denials made by
the other side, and especially to that
which declared that no cuts would be
made by the Citizens company. (They
are being made, however)
That would suit their book en-
tirely," said he, "and Notwithstanding
newspaper paragraphs to a contrary
effect. they have made a proposition
to us to Elk" rates; but, as have said,
we mean to keep our business if we
can and to give the consumer the bene-
fit of every inducement that can be
offered by anyone else"
What is the effect of the recent al
lance you are reported to have made
with the Cottonwood Power COM
pany?"
TT may be said to be offensive and
defensive said Mr.. Kelman. 1--WE
are Jointly interested in giving the
public the benefit of cheap lighting at
a reasonable remuneration to our
selves. That is to say, by a very
small rate of interest on our bonds,
and by our water power we can get
profit on rates that would make it
ruinous for any other person or COM
pany to compete with u.s."
rs there any truth" asked our re-