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Show Slhi(D)Fitag Utah purchasing agents find materials are more available than they were one or two years ago. And, although prices continue rising, they are rising at a slower rate. As one agent said, We aren't seeing unnecessary price increases." Two years ago purchasing Ease as Markets StaMSze agents were faced with material quotas and prices that increased daily. They could not apply normal business procedures to their work. Rather than encouraging a continuously moving inventory, agents built up large supplies of products and maintained unusually large quanti ties of goods in inventory. Rather than negotiating, bickering and arguing with suppliers, they were begging for more goods and paying the going rate to get them. Through 1974 and up to the last quarter of 1975, purchasing agents were unable to cultivate their talents for neg otiating. Rather, they developed a new talent for pleading and attracting salespeople with close to adequate supplies. A year ago we couldnt get firm delivery dates or prices," says Harvey Jerman, purchasing agent for Christensen Diamond Products Co. With- - own (ynraco c: out guaranteed delivery dates, agents were forced to keep supplies of goods on hand to compensate for suppliers limited quantities. Without firm prices, they were unable to negotiate or shop. They were just happy to get what they could and paid what was asked. Agents found they were faced with suppliers quotas, limiting the quantity of goods they could purchase at one time. But that practice was phased out in the last quarter of 1975. Now suppliers are out looking for customers, expecially steel and graphite manufacturers. They may even be overstocked," Jerman says. Jerman and other purchasing agents agree the last six months have seen a stable Urban Renewal Prompts Move to Uproot Tracks BG The Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad has asked permission of the Public Service Commission to abandon and remove the railroad tracks on 2nd West street, from 9th South to North Temple. Citing a decrease in both the number, of customers and usage of the tracks, the applicant claimed it could not afford to maintain the tracks. The basic character of the area has undergone fundamental changes," the application stated, adding urban renewal is planned for the area. At a Chamber of Commerce breakfast meeting last week, representatives of Sweet Candy Jerman continues. Both Jerman and another agent, who purchases supplies for an electrical wholesale firm, remarked that steel prices have dropped considerably in the last few months. .Said the electrical supply agent, Conduit prices have decreased about 50 percent over the past year . " He added that a year ago his firm had been allocated a specific quota and he was begging for addiNow steel tional supplies. suppliers arc on our doorstep," he said. Company The Denver and Riff Grande Railroad, in its application to the Public Service Commission, cites fewer customers and reduced use as reasons to remove the tracks. At the same meeting Mayor Ted Wilson indicated he leans heavily toward removal of the tracks," saying the street is a principal entrance to the city and success of the proposed ethnic center and the Hilton Hotel could service apartment houses, offices and theatres if depend on a it were maintained properly. street. I. J. Wagner, speaking He added that 90 percent of for the Chambers Civic Pride the property owners along the Committee, stated the street street signed a petition saying could be lined with trees and the tracks should go. well-maintain- ed The famous law suit brought by Wayne Horrocks, 1975 candidate for Salt Lake City Commission, the Senior Citizens Coalition and several legislators against Mountain Fuel Supply Co., and the Service Commission has come to a close. On March 8 Judge Stewart M. Hanson, Sr. ruled in favor of the defendants on all counts. The judge found that Rule 13 of the Rules of Practice and Procedure of the Utah Public Service Commission was conPublic stitutional, enforceable, and valid. In addition, he stated the Utah State Statutes do not require or mandate a public hearing prior to the granting of a public utility application to recover increased fuel costs. Mt. Fuel president B.Z. Kastler, responding to the judgment in a speech to the Salt Lake Area Chamber of Commerce, stated he thought the suit was politically motivated," and blamed local news media for slanted coverage of the event. Regarding depositions taken during the trial period, Kastler told the group, Wayne Horrocks displayed a shocking lack of knowledge about his own complaint." In addition, Kastler said, Hor Since supplies are easier to get, agents find they can keep fewer goods in inventory. Inventory is easier to replenish, now, so we no longer have to purchase large quantities," one agent says. With the length of delivery time short- ened, fewer goods need to be on hand to compensate for suppliers past inability to promise goods on time. Business is more normal now than it has been in two years," the electrical supply agent says. He adds that although prices are still going up, they are increasing more rocks and the other plaintiffs slowly. Jerman agrees. We made unsubstantiated are paying more now, but prices have stabilized," he charges. explains, adding prices have increased only in proportion There was no study provwith rising costs. ing Mountain Fuel ineffici- , ent, Kastler said of one of Although the last six the plaintiffs charges, adding months have been fairly stable the company was cited as one one agent predicts an increasof the best managed utility ingly faster pace of rising companies in the country by in the next few months. the American Institute of prices Already some product supManagement. pliers have announced price increases. And these are Kastler said his company prices that cannot be negotiaconsidered filing a counter ted," he says. He adds that he suit to that filed by plaintiffs, has seen mpre price increases but, he said, We did not in February and March than he has in the last six months. want to martyrize them." Hanson Upholds PSC Rule in Mtn. Fuel Case Kastler negotiate with suppliers," Lower Steel Prices claimed abandonment of the tracks would threaten their business. Corn syrup is a delicate substance and cannot easily be transferred by truck," they claimed. Cecil Pearson, regional manager of Denver and Rio Grande countered that candy manufacturers in other 'states have found alternative ways to adequately transport' candy syrup. market. Prices started leveling off the last quarter of 1975 and 1976 has seen few drastic increases. We are dealing with a better price structure now, and find it easier to |