Evening journal., 1891-05-09
ONLY SHAM COMPETITION.
THIS THE BOARD OF TRADE
THINKS Mr.. ADplckS MEANS.

We're He Allowed to Fix His Plant Here,
he would Purchase the old 60 papy.
squeIch Competition and increase the
Price of Gas-street and Sewer De-
partment Upheld
The largest attended nesting of the
Boazd of Trade held for long time was
that OF last evening. The meeting was
specially called to discuss the question of
gas and consider whether IL would be-
or beneficial to the oitys
interest to have two rival gas companies
Those present were Daniel
W. Taylor. George w Bush, e T.
Warner, Washington Jones, Washington
Hastings. w b. Clerk Joseph L. Car
peEter, Jr, Mark NJ Cleavsr. George @.
Lohdell Charles w Pusey, Dennis J
Mention, DR.. G. Elton Buck, William
Belts, Job d. Jackson, e. A Van Trump,
William NJ Field, Judge j. Frank Ball,
Chief of Police w. Y. Swiggett, Dr.. J. A.
Draper, William T. Porter, ]. Parke
Postles, George w. Stone, Samuel Ban
croft, Jr. Charles Z Dubell. George s.
Capelle, George W. To Id, Harlan Cause,
w h1iOlf NutlN w l4Uthbt IL a
Miller, DR. John P, Wales
President Taylor stated the object of
the meeting. which was to consider Ger
tain resolutions approving of the estab-
lishmsnt of another gas company and
repairing the Street and Sewer Depart
ment to grant it the necessary permits
sion without further controversy
The adoption OF these resolutions
having been moved by Mr. Clerk. q
substitute was offered by George w
Bush against the establishment Of
another gas company, on the ground
that the opening of the streets would be
injurious TO the health Of the people,
serious interruption to traffic, aud never
attended with any pubic benefit. and
moreover that the experience OF other
cities demonstrates that the establish
ment of gas company of the character
Of the 0xy hydrogen Company, would
result ia its consolidation with the older
company, delicious increase Of capital
stock and bonded Indebtedness, and a
corresponding increase in the price Of
gas. The resolution also approved of the
action of the Street and Sewer Depart
ment in its opposition to 1.-THE unlawful
and Injurious use of the streets" by the
0xy Hydrogen Company.
In stating his reasons for Offering such
resolutions Mr. Bush said that the open
ing of the streets some years ago had
caused an epidemic Of typhoid fever, by
which many had lost their lives and such
might be the case again.
He also gave the experience of Roches
ter. which in 1889 had three gas com
panies outbiidlng each other until gas
was sold at go csnts per 900 cubic feet.
but in a short time they consolidated
and gas went up to 81 60 per 900 cubic
feet, and now although Rochester com
panies sold nearly two and half times
as many feet as Wilmington companies
their price was 81 60 agsinst $i.25
Similar taings happened in Reading and
Jersey City, where gas now sold from
81 rs to 80 10. Many other cities had a
similar experience.
George w Stone favored the 1esolu
tions Of Mr. Bush, but for other reasons
To his mind this appeared to be q cor
porRtion wrecking enterprise for the en-
richment OF few individuals headed b.
Mr.. Addicks. In 1880 Mr. Addicks
made known his intention by desiring K
purchase the local compapys plant II
DRbNDHs NAEIE Au4lNho ADA Aupu tA4t
'Gas Syndicate, the prics is as high 81
in Wilmington, though the output is teI
times as large, aud in the suburbs it i.
sold from 81 SO to So If it were a locs
company, Mr.. Stone said, there would be
no opposition
Dr. Bush expressed himself strongl,
against giving Mr. Addicks permission I,
establish his plant Mr.. Cleaver said
the price Of gas had bsen reduced from
SO so to 81 % per /, 900 cubic feet sine
1864
William M. Field did not know VIII,
the Street aud Sewer Department had
opposed the laying Of the pipes If i
was because they thought the compsn,
might override their authority he did no
blame them, but he believed the presen
supply of gas was deficient, some light
were dim, while the city was taking
strides forward. The company shoulC
be allowed to furnish cheaper gas to tn
people, aud if necessary the price Nigh
be fixed he thought the board shoul'
favor real competition.
J. Parke Postles said he could not Sc
how a new company having to establish
plant could sell gas cheaper than th
company already established. The ulti
mate result of this business would
the incorporation of both companies an
an increhse in the price of gas
| Joseph l. Carpenter, Jr., having bee
asked to explain the position OF til
Street and Sewer Department, said til
department could not allow any com pan
TO tear up the streets, as fast as the
were improved About $40. 900 wa
spent in paving Market street, and wei
it torn up ten years would be required
put it in the same condition. Mr.. Az
dicks had also said that he wanted
purchase the plant of the Wilmingto
Coal Gas Company.
George s. Capelle having been Gale
upon to explain certain matters, said Il
Wilmington Coal Gas Company had no
thirty five miles of gas pipes, and alway
put in new pipes when needed
Recently Mr. Addicks had telegraphe
Mr.. Belts and himself TO NEST hin
They did so, and Mr.. Addicks propose
to buy ont the local company, allegiu
that he would increase the capital stoc
from $500, 900 to 81, 300 600; $500, 900 {
which he would dispose Of, and the r
remaining $40O 900 keep himself II
} interest on the whole would be 5. 6 or
per cent When asked how be wou
make the stock pay this interest, he sal
he would increase the revenue by putin
up the price Of gas. which was now sell
ing too low.
W.B. Clerk said that he offered Ii
resolutions without having any feelir
in the matter, but simply to get an 9,
preston of opinion.
Dr. Wales favored the resolution
offered by Mr.. Bush. They were uran
mously adopted and the board adjourne