| Show I That Franchise I From the Progressive Vo We Vc are unalterably opposed to panting grant pant in fog ing a franchise for forty years cara to nn any public utility corporation No franchise that involves D the use uso of ot public publio property should be granted ranted without adequate compensation to the tho public In stating these two general prine principles I. I pies ples we believe w we represent not only the Pro Progressive res i e party part but all that is 18 be best c t in progressive i e sentiment among the tho people and we YoC know that wo are arc iu in accord with the practice of at European And many American pities We sto bc beg bee leave o t to remind tho the city commission com coin miss mission Jn that in passing passin upon tho the application cation pf pC the tho Utah LI Light ht and and Railway Halfway company for a franchise franchiso for tor forty years cars for r a freight and antI express service there is oven even a n larger ar r question involved ed than the franchise itself important as that may be One of h hp wei weightiest objections to the old system of city ity govi jW eminent was that it gave no protection to the public against just suca applications Ji ca as the one now pending It t was wasa S Sa a common thin thing in the United States to practically S give away extremely valuable able ri rights and Salt Lake ako Cit City was unfortunately unfortunately un fortunately no exception The Tho commissioners personally and in ina a j D-j sense cense the commission form of govern government o ment Itself are on trial in this franchise fran chise chiso matter JU t cr We V would suggest est that consideration of the application be further fur fur- ther thor postponed for another month to tovo i I give ho vo time to obtain information from o her bei cities This franchise proposal is is' is not a now new one ono b by any m means an for tho the I idea has been well wen tried elsewhere Par For instance in Portland Ore the tho street railway company has permission to carr carry frei freight ht and express packages ea But But- wo te understand that this seni service e is at the option and under indor the strictest rc regulation of or orthe the city commissioners also that ample remuneration is made to the tho cit city for the privileges conferred We note that the attorney of the Utah Light and Railway company claims credit for the expenditure by bv his company of ot over o We cheerfully cheer fully co all praise for a really splendid street car system But ut let us not tax our credulity to believe that this expenditure was solely tor br the altruistic al al- al benefit of our our citizens In Portland the street car company placed placeda a 3 valuation on on its its' franchise of ot Ho How much is the tho present franchise franchise fran fran- chise chis from Salt Lake C City t worth based on it its present l and nd prospective earning capacity I We would modestly to tho the cit city fathers father that they ask the company compan tp tc show their books so that all the cards may lie He ie on the table |
