The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1897-05-09
STILL TALKING GAS
E. w. Taylor Concludes His Ar
gument Before Special
Committee.
HE MAKES a STRONG CASE FOR
A THIRTY CENT RATE.
The Committee Said to Be Divided,
Some Favoring Thirty Cents, But
the Majority Think q Fifty Cent
Rate Should Be Adopted.

ATTORNEY F. w. Taylor, before the
special council committee last night,
presented his final argument why the
gas rates in this city should not ex-
coed so cents per 1 1000, with a minimum
charge of 81. 1t was decidedly the most
interesting session the committee has
had since the gas fight commenced. 1t
is but justice to Mr. Taylor to say that
in defense of his position he over
wheimed the committee with argu-
ments that can not easily, be pushed
aside.
One of the strongest points, added to
the long array of evidence previously
submitted in favor of the 80 cents rate
which Mr.. Taylor made last evening
was a statement from the geological
department at Washington, showing
that not single city in the United
States using natural gas had a higher
rate than % cents per 1000. AS the
table was compiled for the years 1896
1897, it was somewhat of an eye-opener
TO the committee.
All the members of the committee,
with the exception of O'Meara, were
present, and City Attorney Mckay was
there We're E. w. Tavlor, Engineer
Owen, j. B. Miner and James Ander-
son.
Mr.. Taylor opened his argument by
demonstrating scientifically and from
practical tests that with the prevailing
price of coal as a basis, gas should be
sold at % cents per 1000 cubic feet. In
every city of any consequence the
prices on artificial gas is being reduced.
"a a l-a
heating and 60 cents fer lighting. In
Boston. where the price of coal is about
the same as here, artificial gas is sold
at rs cents. In Chicago the charges
are so cents for lighting and 40 cents
for heating purposes. In Denver the
city council has now passed a resolu
ton establishing Chicago rates.
LOW PRICES FOR NATURAL GAS.
Mr. TAYLOR then directed his atten-
ton to natural gas charges. He pro-
duced letter from Chief Day of the
geological department at Washington,
in which Mr. Day cites every city in
the United States using natural gas.
The schedule shows that for manufac-
turing purposes the rates are from TO
Is cents per 1000. For domestic pur-
poses the charges are from 10 to IS
cents per 1000, the rates in no city sx-
ceeding the latter figure. In cities SINH
larly located as Salt Lake City with
regard to gas fields, population, etc,
the charges We're from Is to 20 cents.
The citizens of this city, the speaker
contended, could not afford to pay more
than 80 cents per 1000, and if the men,
bers of the council should insist upon
the so cents rate the present consumers
would be compelled to dispense with
the use of gas. He also drew
the councils attention 10 his
belief that the Salt Lake and Ogden
Gas and Electric Light company did
not intend to develop the gas industry;
that their only object in asking for
a 30 cents rate was to continue sup
plying to a few consumers with the
effect that all other competitors would
be barred. Mr.. Taylor declared that
if the Salt Lake and Ogden Gas and
Electric Light company would give up
it's gas franchise, he would guarantee
the formation of a new company that
would sell gas at 80 cents per thou
sand.
In summing up, Mr.. Taylor asked
the committee TO maintain the rate at
80 cents in view of the fact that the
chamber of commerce and the citizens
by resolution had protested against the
increase; in view of the fact that no
city in the United States had a higher
charge for natural gas than % cents
per thousand; in view of the facts and
data submitted to the committee in
support of the lower rate.
81 want to tell you, gentlemen" the
speaker continued, that if you in
crease the rate to so cents per thou
sand the citizens of this community
will look upon you as going contrary
to the will of those you represent. In
view of the organization of the Deseret
+ ;rrI, nd
pose of which has been shown YOU, L
caution you that it is your duty to
keep awake to the danger threatened by
these monopolies, which, if not checked,
the people will soon become prey to.
ENTITLED TO NO CONSIDERATION
Mr. Taylor maintained that because
the gas company had wilfully disre-
garded it's franchise it was entitled TO
no consideration. While it was the
duty of the council TO protect corpor-
atoms to a certain extent, he main
tanned that the interests of the people
at large should first be considered.
Z After considerable discussion on the
points brought out by Mr.. Taylor, the
committee invited Mr.. Owen to speak.
He responded briefly, showing that the
% per cent of gas claimed by the com
pany to be lost on account of leakage
in the mains was more than sufficient
if sold to pay the cost of operating the
entire plant.
NO AGREEMENT REACHED.
At the conclusion of Mr.. Owens talk,
the committee went into executive ses-
sion. No agreement was reached, and
none is likely to be reached, as the COM
nittee is divided. Councilman Mulvey
will head the fight for a 30-cent rate.
while a majority of the committee ia
yor allowing the company to charge
so cents.
Judging from the general feeling
among the councilmen, it seems quite
likely the 50-cent rate, with 81 mini
mum charge, will be established.
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