The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1897-09-16

1t was freely rumored on the streets
yesterday that at meeting of the di-
rectors Of the Swansea Mining COM
pany, held less than two months ago,
a resolution was adopted allowing the
officers of the company salaries as fol-
lows:
President. $500 a month; treasurer
and general manager. $500 a month;
secretary. $50 a month.
While this report was verified semi
officially and the action severely criti-
cised by stockholders of the company
and the public at large, the reporter OF
The Herald was not satisfied to take
the runaor as correct and sought to
verify the same by interviews With the
officers of the company, and ia doing
this was given the marble heart in
the most approved style
In order 10 get at the facts in the
case the reporter visited the Office OF
the company and sought an Interview
with Mr. T. Geddes, the treasurer and
general manager of the association
THIS gentleman was busy. and after
waiting for some time the reporter left,
but a little later on called Mr.. Geddes
up by telephone. and after stating who
he was, asked the following questions:
rs it so that at a recent meeting OF
the directors Of the Swansea Mining
company the officers Of the company
We're voted a high salary?'
The reporter expected at least a cour-
teous reply, but instead the following
answer. delivered in a most emphatic
manner, came ringing over the wire:
Il have no communication whatever
for you, SIR
Being cut off from any information
from this source. the reporter then
sought an interview with the president
of the company, Mr.. George P. Holman,
who desired that his name should not
be used in this connection and who
did not wish to be quoted.
Mr.. Holman was very courteous to
the representative Of The Herald, but
when the same question was put to
him that had been asked Of Mr.. Geddes
he would neither deny nor affirm the
rumor.
In fact" said he, cit is none of your
business and no concern of the public.
If you are a stakeholder of the COM
pauy you can demand TO see the books
and ascertain for yourself, as you have
a right to do, but if you are not, we
viii not give you the information you
desire
But" ventured the reporter. 1.-The
public is interested ip this matter, as
they are dealing in the stock, and it
is the duty of a live paper to keep the
public Informed regarding these mat
ters.
To this Mr.. Holman demurred and
stated that the public was in no way
interested in the subject, and then the
gentleman went on TO deny the charge
of alleged stock jobbing brought
against the officers Of the company dur
ing the past winter, but which, the re-
porter Informed him, were stated TO
be true by reliable and prominent
business men of this city.
rs 1t not true" continued the re-
porter, that you are getting 5000 a
month for services as president of the
company and that the treasurer and
general manager are receiving even
more?"
I refuse to answer" was the reply,
and here the interview ended
One prominent gentleman with whom
The reporter talked on this subject
stated that he knew nothing about it
only that il was generally understood
that the officers of the Swansea COM
pany were appropriating to themselves
$500 a month.
-Is that alp asked the reporter.
Yes, that is all" was the significant
reply
If all of these reports are true it is
in strange contrast with the statement
made by Mr.. Geddes to a gentleman
in this city short time ago, which
was TO the effect that it might be nee
essary TO cut down the wages of the
men at the mine and also 10 make
r6trenchmentS wherever possible: but if
these high salaries have been granted
II Is sure thing that the stockholders
or ne company viii feel a shrinkage
IN ineir bank accounts when the cues
ton OF dividends is preached.