Pawtucket tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 1890-189?, 1895-06-15

for 1t. Tho law provides that no
such exclusive franchise shall DO
granted In city where there is another
corporation or person having the right
TO carry on the same business, and In tho
use and enjoyment OF that right. Now
that the Bridge Mil Co. has been granted
q license for this purpose, has the wires
strung, and IL using and enjoying this
right, there IL q barrier against the
granting OF this franchise by law. The
sentiment OF the people IL against monop-
oily. The chief objection to granting this
franchise II the state of the art OF furnish
ing electricity Can snyInan rsy thst with
in!fiye years some method Of generating
electricity may not be discovered
which will reduce the cost
greatly. The gas company can well
AFFORD for this 20 years franchise &c pay
the city $4,000 or twicei that amount.
The Messrs. Goff are today spending not
far from million dollars In producing q
plant for the mauufacture OF electricity.
and may some time apply for the privilege
OF lighting the streets OF the city. Sup
pose they are increasing the taxable prop
erty $500, 900, would not the tax upon that
swallow up In 20 years the $4,000 which
the gas company II to give the city 10
times over? The PGwtucket Gas Co. lpro-
duces electricity by the aid OF coal; the
Bridge Mill Co. will produce II without
the expenditure for coal, and therefore
Will be able to produce 1t cheaper; the
water power will produce electricity at
much cheaper cost than can be done by
steam.
Hon. Jonathan Chace next addressed
the committee In behalf Of the Pawtucket
Gas Company at the request OF some Of
his fellow members on the Board. The
Pawtucket Gas Co., said he, will mako no
threats, will do nothing out Of spite, but
1t will use all lawful means Of self.de.
fence. This company Is here, It's money
Is here, and must remain here; its plant
car neither be used for any other purpose,
nor can IL be removed. IL has facilities
for furnishing all the electricity required
In this city. The speaker discoursed upon
the Ill effects Of competition, the result
OF which will be combination or absorp-
tion, and the people will have to pay the
taxes and expenses OF two establishments
instead of one. This Is the inevitable re-
sult-always has been, and alwaye will be.
This Is an attempt to enter upon our ter
ritory and to take our business away from
us. II this Is allowed, It will work injury
to all the parties concerned. IL the ofer OF
the Pawtuckat Gas Co. is not enough.
THAT Is matter for consideration, and
the company Ii ready eto do anything
equitable. The franchise law was passed
simply and solely to prevent any such
competition as is proposed here. We
have proposed to the gentlemen OF
the Bridge mil Power Co: II you will
give as the lighting and the heating, we
will consent to competition for the power!
Is not this fair propositionf All that
we ask in this petition 10 light aud heat,
leaving power open to composition. We
cannot do anything else with our plant
the other gentlensn can. II there Il
! anything Objectionable In the proposition
before you, It can be amended by the com.
mittee to their satisfaction,
Hon. Olney Arnold spoke briefly in be
half OF the Gas Co. and the hearing ad
| journed.