The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1900-06-24
Electric Company Refuses to
Turn on the Lights.
SAY MUST HAVE PAY
QUIBBLE OVER PROVISIONS OF
THE CONCERNS CHARTER.

The fire department has gotten into
a curious dispute with the Utah Light
& Power company. The concern
which supplies the city with light has
refused to turn on it's current to light
up the new fire station on I street, and
as a result everything that is to be done
up there must be done under the dim
and uncertain illumination of kero-
sene.
What the result of this might be if
large fire were to occur at night, can
only be conjectured. Chief Devine
said last night that it would at least
be exceedingly inconvenient at this
station if the engine had to get out
quickly at night to a large fire. 1t
would be necessary to hitch up the
horses under this dim light and to
drive them out Of the fire house at a
terrific rate of speed, with nothing but
the dull flare of kerosene lanterns to
light the way. Not only would acct
dents be possible. but delay would be
probable. And time is an element of
great consequence in case of a great
fire.
Considering the fact that there is not
any too much water for the extinguish-
ment of fire of large dimensions, the
new station which was designed to pro-
tect the northeastern part of town is
not benefited to a full extent.
How the Trouble Arose.
The trouble arose with the electric
company on Tuesday night, the day on
which the new station was ready to
have the lights turned on. When the
darkness came there was no light, and
the chief, being called on, found that
the company would do nothing at once
He hustled about and had the firemen
rig up their lanterns so that there
would be some light. Ever since, the
station has had to get along with the
kerosene lanterns.
The company, through it's city agent,
Mr. Officer, told Chief Devine on Tues
day night that it would not turn on
the light until it was guaranteed pay
ment.
The charter which the company has
from the city requires that it shall fur
nish part of the light for the city
and for fire stations" The company
sets up the proposition that this means
that it is to supply light only to those
stations which were in existence at the
time the charter was obtained. That
would mean that free light was to be
given to but two stations-those on
ond West streets. Mr.. Officer said that
the company did not consider that it
was bound by its charter to supply
light free of cost to as many stations
as the city chose to build in future.
Refuses to Sign Contract.
On Wednesday he brought to Chief
Devlne form of contract which he
wanted filled out and signed 1t pro-
Vided that a stated amount was to be
paid for each light burned. The chief
refused to sign. Mr. Officer left, say
ing that he would investigate the mat
ter, would consult the attorneys of the
company, and the legal status Of the
matter would be decided.
He said that the company would be
perfectly fair and that it would fur
nish the light if it had to- said Chief
DeYine last night. That was very
magnanimOUs. OF course it will fur
nish the light if he has to-" added the
chief.
There the matter rests. The chief is
awaiting the result of the electric light
company's investigation. If it de-
termines that it is not legally bound to
give the light, the mayor and the
city attorneys viii be consulted and the
courts viii be called on TO decide the
question. In the meantime the Ian
terms will be used at station No d