The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1904-03-08
TO INVESTIGATE
LIGHT COMPANY
Councilman Martin Dissatis.
fled With the Service.
EXPLANATION IS DEMANDED
COMMITTEE Is TO MAKE A FULL
INQUIRY.

\ resolution was introduced in the
city council last evening by Council
man l.. D. Martin providing for an in
vestigation OF the practices OF the light
company in charging full rates for
service. and not keeping the lights
burning throughout the city as they
should. II was referred to the commit
lee designated in the resolution.
Councilman Martin said yesterday
that "a representative of the company
called upon him and tried to explain
why all the arc lights are not kept
burning all the time i'm accordance with
the provisions of the franchise. But
the explanation was not sufficiently
lucid to Councilman Martin TO decide
him 10 withhold his resolution. and ID
was presented, as promised. IL reads
as follows.
Martin Demands Investigation.
Whereas. The T-tah Light a Power COM
pany. either through lack of competition
or for other reasons unknown 70 the
maker OF this resolution. seems 20 be OF
the. opinion that IL may with imPunlty
violate not only the requirements OF the
franchises under which il operates bu-
also its contract with the city for street
lighting: and
management Of this corpos alton, that eX-
isting conditions would. be- improved,
seem only 10 make the erect or making
these conditions worse. and
Whereas. There can, BE- $40 question but
tnat the citizen. IKE the city. is being
compelled 10 pay a first class price FOR
lighting service and Is receiving what
could not under any possible construc-
ton OF the word be classed as services;
and
Whereas one Of the franchises through
which this corporation vas given life
promises as follows: First. that the ac-
ccptance bv ir OF the privileges granted
I'm said franchise is a promise or con-
tract. TO. In return for raid privileges
furnish the citizens Of Salt Lake CRY
with gas or electric light service OF the
best quality and highest efficiency; sec
by them shall be subject 10 inspection
hv proper official appointed by The city
for that purpose; and
Duty of the Council.
Whereas There can be no possible qUes-
tiou ont that il is tho duty OF the city
rouncil TO protect the citizens against be
ing imposed upon by corporation that
lives solely through privileges granted IL
Joy the council as representatives Of the
PEOPLE; now. therefore, be il
Resolved. That this resolution bc re
feTred TO the Improvement committee OF
the council and that committee be and
- is hereby instructed to make thOi
ough Investigation Of the following cues
tons and report its findings 70 the coun-
Gil at as early a date as possible First.
81 to whether or not this corporation has,
through its failure To live up to its agree
ments made with the citizens through
their representatives. vitiated its fran
Chise. second. the manner I'm which its
contract with the city for street light
Instability of the city appointing an IN
spector whose duty it snail be TO in
spect not only the light furnished 10 tho
city. but also 20 the citizens. and TO also.
from time TO time. make q thorough in
spcction OF all meters employed by the
said Utah Light < Power company.