The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1908-03-09
GUESSING AS TO
REAL PURPOSE
Browning Bros. Secure Power
Rights in Willard Creek
Canyon.

Considerable speculation is rife with re-
gard to the intentions of Browning Bros.
in securing the rights to the power of
Willard creek in Willard canyon, six
teen miles north of here. The deal was
consummated during the past week and
the general impression was at that time
that the purpose was to furnish light for
what is known as block 70 in Ogden City.
This is doubted by many people who be-
lieVe that il is the intention to use the
power for lighting the Utah Hot Springs
and furnishing electrical power for the
Ogden and Northwestern Interurban line.
Franchise Doubtful.
1t is argued that in order for the Brown
ing to construct a transmission line into
the heart of the city, where the block in
question is located, it would be necessary
for them to secure a franchise from the
city and that it is extremely doubtful
if the council would give permission to
any corporation to come here and furnish
light and power for block which is
considered a better paying proposition
than any four other blocks in the city.
In any event it is held that such COM
pany could not afford to pay an Oceupa-
ton tax such as would be demanded for
a franchise and be able to operate plant
at a profit.
Another argument in connection with
the same proposition is as to what the
Utah Light & Railway company would
do in the event of the Brownings secur-
ing commission TO construct a line and
furnish power for this block. 1t is stated
that it is extremely doubtful if it would
take from them such valuable piece or
territory. II is held that rather than to
submit to this the company would most
likely be willing to furnish electricity
of that block without cost and that it
could maintain such a stand for at least
ten years without injuring itself to any
great extent
EccIes Interested.
Some of those who have studied the
question since it was reported that the
BrOwnings intended coming into the city.
state that the Eccles interests are behind
the movement In support of this con-
tentiOn the fact is pointed out that the
Utah Light & Railway company recently
secured a contract from the Ogden Rapid
Transit company, an Eccles concern, to
furnish power for its lines for a period
of seven years. The same interests con-
troll the Ogden and Northwestern road,
which has recently been electrified. But
this system was not included in the con-
tract. Notwithstanding this the railway
people have been furnishing the power for
this road also independent of any con-
tract and upon virtually the same basis
upon which power is supplied for the op-
GRAFTON of the Ogden street car line.
The BrOwnings have announced that it
is their intention to build a power house
at the mouth of Willard canyon. This
location is in the neighborhood of eight
miles north of the Hot Springs, the ter
minal of the Ogden and Northwestern
line. Should it be the purpose to furnish
power for that road all the transmission
line that it would be necessary to build
would be to cover these eight miles, which
could be done at a very moderate cost.
II is also intimated that the securing of
the Willard creek power has a double
purpose. in that it would prevent any
one from securing the same to operate
a line between the city limits of Ogden
and Brigham City. The Brownings are
nom communicative with regard to the
on