Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1905-03-30

When the citizens committee APP
peared IN the council chamber last
evening to protest against q 50-year
extension Of the franchise of the Utah
Light and Railway company, Its mem
bey little thought that they would be
confronted with proposition, agreed
upon by the Joint municipal laws and
special water committee yesterday af-
tarnoon, whereby the franchises would
Ne extended only about 10 years on the
average and IN consideration therefor
the company viii give to the city the
Big Cottonwood water rights, valued at
100000 free lights and power Of the
value Of about $4,000 per year, and,
hest Of all, reduce the lighting rates
from 20 cents per kilowatt hour, which
It Is authorized to charge under the
present franchises, to II 20-lQ0 cents
per kl,Owatt, which, with the 10 per
cent discount for prompt payment Of
bills, would bring the rate down to 10
cents per kilowatt
Such, however, was the situation and
The members were very much surprised
when The proposition was stated 20
them by Chairman Fernstrom Of the
joint committee, who saiu tnat a ma
jorlty OF the committee at the after
noon meeting had decided to recon-
mend to the council the extension OF
The tranchises as stated In con-
slderation Of the concession to
be made by the company. John
Dern who led the arguments for the
protestants, stated that the proposition
look him somewhat by surprise, as he
thought II was question of a 5O.year
extension or nothing. Consequently
thelr arguments devlated somewhat
rom the main point at Issue, and took
u such subjects as municipal owner
snip OF public utilities, the Initiative
ana referendum, gas rates, street ear
lafes and finally drifted into the water
question. The discussion at intervals
was rather heated and the lie was pass
ca on two different occasions. At the
close Of the meeting the council COM
mltlee decided to meet again on Mon
Gay afternoon at o'clock and decide
on other minor changes IN the proposed
franchise so that report can be made
70 the council on Monday night.
Inc members Of the citizens commit
zee present were John Dern, NJ, IL.
walker, Samuel Ewing, il. w. Lawrence,
Nounly Clerk Eldredge, II. @. McMil-
AN A, T. Sanford Thomas Homer.
ihomas Weir, Charles Crane O. r. Pc
IIerson' @. W. Meyer and Ray Van Colt.
ihe company was represented by Judge
loungi w, p, Read and Mr.. Swan. An
OF The members OF the council we're
present except II, X. Davis, Black,
Neuhausen and Wood.
DERN EXPRESSED SURPRISE.
as soon as the meeting was
ualed TO order Chairman Fern
tugln stated the proposition which
qua peen decided upon at the committee
neetlnB IN the afternoon as given
aDoVe Mr. Dern was then given an
Svpportunity to present the case for the
mVNs'ants He said that the state
ments Of Fernstrom were quite a SUR
pllst 10 MIN, as he thought IL was IA
question OF 50-year extension or MOTH
ig lie confined his arguments TO the
W-year extension and said that in that
ulne the franchise would be worth
ihlohs Of dollars He contended that
v future generations should not be
pVuliu up IN such manner but should
w aloWed TO decide whether or not an
uNehslon should be granted when the
present franchises expire. lie said thar
ne ne company would not be injured IL
ne council refused the extensions and,
~ such franchises are valuable assets
me city they should be safely guard
~ ne was satisfied that a great ma
ioi,y OF the people OF the city favored
msuas the future generations decide
S "u5ther or not an extension should be
,hpptesldent Hewlett Of the council said
;he' lne proposition had been made nj
X committee meeting by member OF
So e committee and he was anxious to
coron Mnat the representatives Of the
Womb uau 70 say about IT, so there
would be no misunderstanding,
ACCEPTABLE TO COMPANY.
rr rl answer Judge Young said that the
proposition would be acceptable 10 the
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