Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1897-06-09
LIGHTING TIE CITY.


A few weeks ago, when there APP
psared = tumbling In the prices OF
electric lighting for the city, there
was considerable pressure brought ON
the municipal officers to accept pro-
posed terms that were considered ia.
vorable, and certainly were not OF an
opposite character. At that time the
NEWS stood alone among the news
papers In advising the city admins
traSion to walt I'LL prices for street
lighting had settled down to mini
mum before entering upon new con.
tract. Our view was that the interests
of the public would be better served
by not being In hurry. The
City Council looked at the mat
ter In the same light. and
the outcome shows the wisdom Of that
course. Now the city has bid for an
aIl.night service at s72 year for each
street lsmp--this being the lowest
contract price Of any city 10 the
country, We understand, for such ser-
vice, 81. Louis coming next with $74
per lamp. It now appears that this 10
the most favorable offer that will be
made, and 10 the city's opportunity.
There can be no question as
to Che propagation Of IS per
month being very low rate
for the contract proposed. BY the
most careful estimates, with the city
getting its power at = reduced figure,
IL was caluiated that the municipality
could purchase wires and lamps, and
provide lights at 1892 per month each.
This Was under the most economical
standardization, so IL 10 easily seen that
ten per ceSt increase above that, or
about $3.50 per lamp, caused BY incl
dental expenses, wonld mot have
been q surprise with municipal
lighting. The present ofier. coming so
near the estimate named, ami giving
assurance against . possible excess,
shows that It 10 about the minimum
price at which q good service can be
anticipated. Certainly the city is to
be congratulated on reaching Its pref
snt stage in the matter OF cost ioI
street lighting.
There 10 one feature in connection
with this business which 1t would not
be Just to overlook, for it IL u guaranty
of the good faith Of the Pioneer Elec'
trio company in Its relations with the
people of this city and State. Durin !
the past few days the oircumsta noes
were such that higher rate could
have been named, and an effort made
with some prospect Of .uccess-to
crowd the city into its acceptance.
But the Pbneer company adhered "a
its policy Of giving the service at the
lowest figures 1t could afford,
and thus TO do the fair thing
by the people. II It had
been practicable to have made the
price still lower, doubtless this would
have been done, but the cost OF pro-
duction would not allow Of 1t. Thus
In Its nrst dealings with the public
the Pioneer company has proved it'
aim to be harmonious with the gen
eral welfare.
A comparison OF the present figures
for street lighting with those which
were discussed only about year age
shows remarkable transformation to
the city's advantage. Remember
Ing that an all night ter.
vice Is about twenty I'VE
per cent more than moonlight
schedule, and therefore that SO per
lamp per month on the former Ia
equivalent to about 81 so per month
for the limited service, 1t may be re-
called that year or so ago contract
for the moonlight service ut $3.50 pei
month came to an end. The c,mpapy
which had been doing the lighting
asserted that 1t could not afford to con
tinue at less than 5000 pei
lamp. The City Council de-
olined to pay that figure, and
the city was plunged into darkness.
Then another lighting company made
for one year an arrangement reason
able at that time. Now the agers
offered 10 but little more than half fol
an all night service what It was de-
clared impossible to give on moon.
light schedule. Under the new
proposition, 400 lamps per year, all
night, will cost s2s,sO0; whereas q
year ago 1t was asserted that SOC
ON q moonlight schedule could moi
be furnished for less than s37, 800,
and contract under which
300 lamps on moonlight schedule
cost $4,000 was refused. Now the
city will have 100 imore lamps than In
March, 1896, and have them going all
night, alta cost OF 81 500 less than BOO
called fer then.
In the matter of lighting, the
present City Council certainly hs,
made q most excellent record In tn,