Truth. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1901-1908, 1905-04-29
GRANT THE NEWHOUSE FRAN
CHISE.

Five hundred people at Odd Fellows
hall Wednesday night declared in fav-
or of granting Newhouse a franchise
for an electric light plant. Just as the
anniversary services were about to
begin, pop, out went every light and
for an hour people CROPPED in dark
ness. The Grand Warden, who had to
come in from Sugar, was delayed, and
dozens of members who desired to be
in to witness the opening ceremonies,
were stopped along the various street
car lines.
The canton members were especial
ly wrathy. Because the canton Is the
uniformed degree, and these gentle
men had to be on hand early to act as
an escort. Result: many of them were
denied the pleasure of participating.
1t is indeed odd that whenever there
is a thunder storm between this city
and Ogden the lights go out and the
electric power for the street car lines
is cut off. 1t has happened so many
times and people have borne it so pa
tiently, believing the statements Of
the officers of the Consolidated, that
conditions would be improved upon.
But they do not improve. A fash of
lightning at Woods Cross, and behold
Salt Lake is in darkness. Street lamps
go out; stores and other places of bust
ness are enveloped in blackness and
everybody takes the advice of Joseph
f. Smith and damns the Electric Light
company and does it fervently and
with vehemence.
A remedy for this condition of af-
fairs is offered by Mr. Newhouse and
it seems as If his offer ought to be
given the consideration to which it is
entitled If he will put in an improved
plant and give us a better service at
reduced price, why not let him do it?
These frequent accidents by which we
are deprived of light and power would
be abolished. All over the city the
other evening hotels, dwellings, stores,
shops, etc, were as black as a Stygian
midnight. 1t is too common occur
renee. No remedy is offered. No excuse
rendered except 1--WE could not help
it," Why not have a bit of competi-
ton here and see if that will not rem
edy the matter somewhat?
Truth is led to believe that if the
council does not grant franchise to
Mr.. Newhouse, there will be other
remedies applied. 1t is proposed to in
stall PLANTS in each CT the city blocks
for the lighting of those blocks on a
cooperative basis. For instance,
plant will be installed in the block in
which Truth is situated No wires
will be run on the public streets, and
the expense of lighting the buildings
in these blocks will be prorated at so
much per light. The lights will be
furnished by gasolene or steam power,
and these exasperating occurrences
will cease in so far as the buildings
which have these lights are con-
cerned. People are becoming thor
oughly disguised with the present SER
vice and are going to have relief II
they have to light their own dwellings.
Independent plants such as these will
lessen the cost of electricity and the
property owners will be happier and |
Weather. Something is going to be |
done end It is coming soon. Because |
of the lights being confined to blocks |
no franchise will be required. The |
Consolidated will find itself up against
the real thing ere long if these annoy |
ing events are not less frequent. Peo'
pie are patient and long-suffering but |
they will not stand for everything.