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Show Thk principle that a franchise is a valuable thing, and should therefore be purchased for a consideration is no doubt correct. In such cities as New York, Brooklyn, Boston, Philadelphia and Chicago, where there are hundreds of tnousands of people, the principle of exacting a bonus can be successfully and justly demanded. But in a new and small city, whose future is almost wholly dependent on the investment invest-ment of capital, is it wise to ask a money consideration for a franchise? We think not. Investors in public enterprises in a small city are banking on the future growth of the town. In a metropolis of between 500,000 and 1,000,000 people it is altogether different. The patrons of a proposed public improvement are already al-ready there. In a city of 50,000 people, many enterprises are started long before there is ground for the belief that they will pay from the beginning, but in the hope that with the future increase of the population they will eventually prove profitable. This is the situation in Salt Lake. The Times is in favor of granting franchises to anybody and everybody if there is an assurance of an immediate and honest investment of capital. Capital is naturally timid, especially es-pecially in a comparatively new and undeveloped country. Therefore no obstructions should be placed in its way when it socks a place in legitimate enterprises. If the proprietors of an eastern east-ern manufacturing establishment should ogroe to invest $500,000 in Salt Lnke and give employment to 250 persons, would not the citi.ons be willing to give them a handsome bonus? We believe thoy would. Then why think for a moment mo-ment of domnnding a bonus from home capitalists who may dosire to obtain a frnnchisn for this or that public improvement, improve-ment, '!' :'. they are required to expend uw.im thousands of dollars in carrying out their plans and in era-ploying era-ploying a large number of men during construction and afterwards in operating operat-ing their plant? Salt Lake wants all the street railways, rail-ways, electric light plants, gas works, steam heating companies, water works, nnd everything else in the way of public improvements that she can get; but no exclusive franchise should ever be granted or any monopoly allowed. |