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

/ pany is the only one which pays
the city anything at all for it's fran
chise, 1t pays about $4,000 per year N
light and power, and cannot see why
one company Is picked out by the cltl-
zens and ostracized,"
WEIR TAKES A HAND.
Thomas Weir asked Fernstrom II the
company would be injured any II the
extension was not granted. In reply
Fernstrom said that that was not the
question under consideration at all Mr.
Weir then wanted to know that, Il
Fernstrom knew a majority OF the citi-
2en's We're opposed 20 any extension at
all. II he would still vote for IL. Fern
str0m answered that the citizens could
come to him with advice. but IL, In his
Judgment, they were wrong and he was
right, he would vote as he pleased. His
answer was met with hearty laughter
from all and Mr.. Weir retired without
further pressing his questions.
RULoN S. WELLS TALKS.
Councilman Wells made a strong ar,
gument In favor Of the proposition
agreed upon by the committee and con-
tended that there was 10 need OF fear
In regard TO rates In the future, as
competition or fear of competition
would regulate that matter Under the
present franchises, he said, the COM
pany has the right TO charge 20 cents
per kilowatt hourand yet It only charges
10 cents, The company has AZ years
under its longest franchise and now
It comes in and offers, for few more
years Of extension, to reduce that rate
TO 10 cents, He argued that such ac-
ton on the part OF the company was
guarantee that there need be no
fear for future generations In regard
to the adjustment OF rates. In closing
he said that II was certainly a business
proposition for the city to extend tho
franchises In consideration for the wa,
ter rights IN Big Cottonwood and re-
duction IN rates as the city
needs the water right and cannot
afford TO pay cash for Il. He
thought that II the facts were placed
properly before the people the great
majority would not oppose the extern
sion now proposed, He said that a
number OF untrue statements had been
made in the protest Of the citizens COM
mlttee adopted at the mass meeting.
HOMER SOUGHT TO BE SHOWN
Thomas Homer asked him TO point
test. Judge Young answered by stat.
Ing that the assertion that the fran
chise would give the company abso-
lutte control over every street In the
city was false. Homer undertook to
answer Judge Young but was inter-
rupted by Fernstrom, who pointed out
another matter In the report which was
untrue.
A LIE, SAYS FERNsTRoM.
you said in your protest." said
Fernstrom, that there was secret
understanding between the company
and at least one member Of the council
In regard to the 50-year extension, and
that is absolutely false and liel"
THE REToRT COURTEOUS,
Mr.. Homer thanked Fernstrom in a
sarcastic manner for such courteous
treatment and then proceeded TO state
that the 'hre-eaters" and "agltators,"
as the protestants might be called, had
already saved the 5000 small consum.
ers in the city s37500 per year or to-
tai of Sl,S75,000 for the 50 years BY a
reduction In the rates by agitation.
Wells and Tuddenham wanted to
know how the citizens committee could
claim the credit for that when the COM
pany had agreed 20 this reduction In
rates three weeks ago at a meeting with
the council committee which was long
before the macs meeting was thought
Of,
ME TO MARTIN.
Councilman Martin said that the pro-
test Of the people and the agitation had
smoked the franchise men out OF their
holes and had saved the citizens s3i. 500
per year and II one mass meeting had
saved that amount he urged that sever
al others be held at once.
MUNICIPAL OWNERSHIP.
H. w. Lawrence argued In favor Of
municipal ownership Of public utilities
and contended thar II would not BIO a
good business proposition to bind the
citizens to pay the present rates for
light and power'in IS or 20 years hence
IN View OF the rapid Improvement being
made along those lines, He opposed
any extension whatever,
THAT UNDERSTANDING
County Clerk Eldredge wanted to