The daily journal. (Salem, Or.) 1899-1903, 1903-05-12

1 VI AANAA AANA NaHNHN
The first impulse was that Mr. Henry
was simply a smooth representative Of
the old company sent here to side
track this demand for competitive
plant But IL is now fully conceded
that this is not the case. and that Mr..
Henry has become the owner in fact
Of the entire lighting plant and car
system
This being the case, his claims and
representations are not only worthy of
consideration. but Il becomes the duty
OF the council to look most mlnutely
into all the details OF the situation.
and when II acts. to act with knowl.
edge and wisdom MIR. Henry has sug.
gested that he means TO give Salem
better service than IL has ever had be
fore, and at lower rates. and II is now
beyond doubt the duty of the coun.
cil to give that gentleman every op.
portunity to prove his sincerity.
lnasmuch as Mr. Kurtz had made
his application just prior to the ap-
pearance Of the new proprietor OF the
old plant. II Is suspected by some
that that gentleman comes not wholly
in the light OF a philanthropist. but
that he had tip in advance from some
OF his financial hackers as to what
was coming. and quietly slipped in
with his application. in order to be In
a position TO do business" with the
new owner II might easily be rea.
soned that, instead Of Mr.. Kurtz being
a private individual. coming here to
save US from the wllcs OF soulless
corporation. that he Is the representa-.
tive Of merclless syndicate come
here TO hold up Mr. Henry Thus the
shoe may be on the other foot But
let that be as Il may The Journal
considers II the duty OF the council TO
ferret the whole matter out and In
the end to do that which best serves
the interests Of the whole people The
probability Is that this is case OF
corporation against corporation. horse
and horse. as Il were. and. II this is
the case, IL simply bchoOyos our coun.
ell to do business with the one that
will do the most for our city.
To expect TO get real competition In
these days Is to die In despair. for.
while there are temporary appear
ances OF competition between corpora.
tions. all must confess that the day
Of such conditions is past as per
manent source OF relief. The only
thing to do Is to face the situation as
Il IL. and secure Tor the public the
best results obtainablc The corpora
tion that has the most to offer ~
plainly the one to dealN with. as It
must be apparent 10 all that there Is
not room enough In Salem for either
two electric light companies nor two
car lines.
In deferrlng action Ia this important
matter until all these facts have been
cleared up the council has shown
disposition 10 look out for the city's
best interests. and that is their first
duty al all times. The members OF
the council should be- indifferent not
only 10 their own interests. but 10
those Of these two corporations as
well
Il must be- admitted that Mr. Henry !
has shown a disposition 10 do what he |
claims he wants 10 do. In Offering to
continue the present low lighting rate |
10 the city for five years longer. and |
In addition. 90 give the city the priyi |
lege OF using as many more lights a. I
Il wishes at the same rate. which Is !
20 be tho lowest in the |
Northwest This IL good az far az II |
goes. but what the private citizen is
more Interested IN is better service
and lower rates ON commercial light
Ing In this matter Mr. Henry prom
ses 20 give us relief also. but, of
course. IL VIII take time for him 10 put
.hese promises into effect While
.hese matters are pending we say the
,ouncil has acted wisely In deferring
action on this whole matter
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