The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1906-02-09
QUESTIONS ASKED
NEW Gas COMP ANY
People Want to Know Why In
crease in Price Is De-
manded.
THIS, TOO, BEFORE WORK
OF CONSTRUCTION BEGINS
Hundreds of Contracts Signed,
Now Raise of Thirteen
Per Cent Is Asked.

Why. before beginning active construc-
| tion OF their proposed gas plant system,
| do the SnowDarst people seek permission
| for a large Increase in the price at which
they will furnish gas to Salt Lake con-
sumors2
! Why did they walt until n flfty-year
| franchise had been granted, under stipu-
lated terms, before giving notice that
they desired to raise the price?
Why were many hundreds OF contracts
TO use gas at the low stipulated price Sc
cured before the citizens were made
aware of the fact that promoters desired
10 increase their nguIeSg
| Citizens Are Interested.
These and many other questions are be-
| ing asked daily and hourly by hundreds
| OF citizens since the Snow-Darst people
have made application to the City Coun-
| ell for an ordinance permitting them to
| increase the price OF the gas which they
| purpose to furnish from IS to IS cents per
| thousand cubic feet for fuel purposes,
and from SIPS to s1,35 for illuminating
gas.
One Promoter Talks.
In an effort to solve this problem. The
Tribune Wednesday sought an Interview
with George a. Snow, who has recently
returned from Chicago, and who Is the
clatcd with William Darst and others Of
chicago: This was the first question put
to Mr. Snow:
do you expect the citizens who have
signed contracts agreeing TO use gas at Il
stipulated price to pay q higher price If
You secure the amendment you ask for2"
Evades Direct Answer.
To speak the truth, Mr. Snow evaded
direct answer to this query He said:
We expect TO carry out every obligation
the people service and quality of gas
second to none In the United States. TO
carry out our work upon broad generous
lines, which should and will mean salts,
faction to every one"
Dodges Once More.
Docs that mean that the contracts
with prospective consumers Will be car
ried out si9ned2"
My first answer covers the ground I
have said that we expect 30 carry out our
obligations. / Will say, however, that We
are asking for the right to increase the
maximum price of gas. 1t does not ne
cessarily mean that we Will charge that
ngure- Even II We do the people will be
getting superior gas at less price than
in any other city In the country"
Reason for Increase.
What is the specific reason for the
Il do not desire to so into detail into
the business OF the promoters but 7 Will
say that Mr.. Granger FaIwcii OF Chicago,
who sis financing the business and Mr.
Douglas Smith. his client. have been here
to inspect the city and It's prospects
They found 1t a city of magnificent dis
fences, sDarSely populated In some sec
tons. 1t Is estimated that to cover Salt
Lake with gas mains Will require an out
lay OF at least $4,000 more than would
supply mains for Il similar population In
an Eastern city.
Want to Rush Work.
I'm return for the increase in the max
mum price to be charged We agree to Law
lorty miles OF mains within two years
instead OF twenty miles as at first agreed
and tho company expects to lay eighty
miles or mains without delay thus giving
inc people an earlier opportunity to get
cheaper gas. and we also intend to CON
struct the finest gas plant in the United
States. We VIII also Install service pipes
and meters free of charge something
mat, so lar as | know, no other gas com
pany In the United States is doing at tho
present time.
Begin Work in Spring.
Construction work. for which the nlanq
arc now being prepared. will begin In
April of this year. We expect to render
good services to consumers in April or
May OF 1877. and earlier, If possible.
Still a Cheap Gas.
Even should the maximum rates be
charged, the consumers Will be getting n
much cheaper service than heretofore on
fuel gas the saving Will be 81 cents per
thousand - cubic feet and on illuminating
gas 30 cents per thousand cubic feet"
Views Of an Attorney.
Attorney A. T. Sanford, who has taken
a deep interest In the gas question, In an
Wednesday night. clearly eX-
pressed what mnny another citizen has
put In less forcible language MIR. San
ford said:
"It is fair to presume that the pro-
motcrs. before securing the franchise
made n thorough investigation of the sub |
tcct and determined the price at which |
gas could be produced at a profit to them
selves.
Runs Long Time.
Upon an agreement to furnish gas at |
a stipulated price a franchise was granted |
for term Of nifty years. Before they |
have oven begun the construction of their |
plant they ask for an Increase OF about II |
per cent In the price of fuel gas and |
about per cent in the price or illuminate |
Ing gas
Will Make Big Difference.
The promoters have stated that With
In five years they expected to have an in
come of 100000 per year. The proposed |
year on that basis. which the people must !
pay. In nifty years this Will amount to
81 2.O0oO0 all of which extra money comes
out OF the pockets of the consumers.
Nothing in Return.
What the promoters offer TO give in
crease In price amounts to practically
nothing for the consumer. If the mains
are laid In two years instead OF four
years, that means that Increased revenue
will come that much sooner to the gas
people. The free installation OF service
pipes and meters Is naturally required by
r new company competing against an old
one In order to get the business"
Opinion of City Attorney.
City Attorney Hiles has prepared an
opinion for submission to the City Coun~
ell this evening, In which he takes the
ground that the proposed amendments
might invalidatc the $4,000 bond given to
the city by the gas people. The City At
torney accordingly advises the Council
that the safe method will be to secure tho
written consent OF the bondsmen to the
amendments and to have them
y aivc any rights that they might have as |
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