The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1901-06-30
Secretary Pike of the Missouri
Edison Says Existing Conditions
May Force Consolidation.
WAR OF DETERMINATION on.
Local Concerns Said to BE Taking
Improbable Contracts to Freeze
Out Rivals-Two Powerful
Companies May Result.

Existing conditions in the electric light
ing field. resulting from strong competition
in the conduit district between four strong
companies. will finally, and perhaps in a
short time. end In n consolidation of all the
interests into one or two powerful COM
panies.' said S. Ii. Pike. secretary of the
Missouri Edison Electric Company.
The conduit district is bounded by the
Mississippi River. Twenty-second. Wash
and Spruce streets. The companies oper-
ating in the territory are the Missouri di-
son Electric Company. the Imperial Electric
Light, Heat and Power Company. the La
clede Gas Light Company and the Edison
Electric Illuminating Company Of Caron-
delet. The Phoenix Electric Light Company
is part OF the IAclede Gas Light Company.
and the Laclede Power Company is part Of
the Edison Electric Illuminating Company.
The Missouri Edison Electric Company
extends by franchise over the entire city.
The impression is that the Laclede Gas
Light Company is entitled to serve patrons
with electric current in all parts OF the
city. but Supervisor of Lighting O'Reilly
says City Counselor schumacher would
be called upon for a legal opinion IL the con-
cen should seek to go into the overhead
territory. The Imperial's franchise limits
the oompany's business to the conduit dis
trict. but contracts are fulfilled beyond the
boundaries under the style Of the Seckner
Contracting Company, by virtue OF the
agreement with the city for street lighting.
An ordinance is now pending in the City
Council to grant the Imperial privileges
in the overhead territory. The only other
companies furnishing light and power out
side the underground limits are the Edison
Illuminating Company and the Carondelet
Electric Lighting Company, the latter's
patronage being confined to the region south
OF Keokuk street
Competition Very Keen.
The Missouri Edison Is strongest In the
heart of the city. particularly south Of
Washington avenue. The taclede Gas Light
Company 10 strong in the center of town,
north Of Washington avenue, under its own
name, and south Of Washington avenue I'M
territory is bounded by Bremen avenue, JEFF
river. Its chief trade comes FROM the nsd he sas
from concerns using power. The Edison Of
Carondelct is strong on the South Side. but
z aiming at the North Side and central
1any's new plant at O'Fsilon and Lewis
Competiion is keen in the conduit dis
tition L. becoming SO pronounced that some
companies are obtaining contracts at un-
profitable rates. In OrdfF to freeze out con-
"Ih competition win surely end In con-
eolfdation. or the failure OF some companies,
u prevalent tactics are pursued" Mr.. Pike
said. Some companies are apt to 60 TO
the wall under he strain. There n no agree
ment 20 Tar As I know, between the COM
psn1eS a. to confinement to certain terri
tory: We are all In competition now, ex-
tending our trade wherever we can with
out regard to each Others sentiments. We
CSns0IfaStioS 1i~est C.rt.s~.
what the end will be no one can de.
aermfne. Il does seem that several COM
panies viii merge with other companies. and
eventually the field may be contested By
two powerful corporations" In reply to Q |
question a. to whether he meant thai the
companies to remain would be the Ms, |
uri-Edis m Laciede Gas. he smiled
although" he continued. several di. !
rectors in the Laclede Gas also act a. al |
Tectcrs In the Missouri Edison. there q no
concerns are independent Of each other. Il 4
may be thai these two companies win fRht
for supremacy II predictions generally made
come true in the electric Light and power
NJ. Pike left the impression that the I'M
ness.
Alexander Ross. secretary and general
pany. said he had no Information Of an Of |
ncia! nature concerning early consolidation |
o. the electric lighting companies. He de- |
cuned to state any facts relative to con- /
3. 9. Brock%sn, vics ,T preSident and zen.
Sraj manager of the Imperial. e in New |
York. consulting with President H. q. Wal |
bridge. He will not return to St. Louis be- |
e sS'f ke ss9as1 "a the sG Missour M Edi.os a.. :.d e E
IN New York. Interesting Developments to- |
ward consolidation are looked for shortly. |