Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1895-11-28
Use of the Streets Asked for
New Telephone Wires.
PERMISSION NOT YET GIVEN
Street and Sewer Directors
Will Consider the Matter.
AN Interesting Meeting of the Department.
-1he ResoIntion Limiting Terms of Oni.
GERS Does Not Meet with Approval-O Other
Business.


when many matters were considered.
President Chambers moved the
adoption OF the resolution offered two
weeks ago providing for the employees
of the department having terms of two
years. He spoke in favor Of his motion.
Mr.. Pratt was opposed to it, on the
ground that it is liable to bring in
politics.
Mr.. Chambers said that while
politics are recognized more or less in
all public Offices, that was not the in
tention Of the motion.
Mr.. Simmons thought that better
service could be obtained by retaining
the present system.
Aa two members were opposed to the
resolution, it was considered lost with
out taking vote.
j. II. HoffeclSer presented the follow
ing petition from the Delmarvia Tele-
phone Co., which was duly signed by
Joseph L. Carpenter, Jr., as president,
and attested by j. Augustus McCaulley,
as secretary:
ITO the Honorable the Board OF
Directors OF the Street and Sewer De-
partment of the city of Wilmington
Gentlemen: Your consent is respect
fully asked to the location on the
avenues, streets and other thoroughfares
and places of this city Of the poles of
this company, with the necessary right
to string cables and wires thereon, and
TO occupy, use and operate the same by
electricity for telephone purposes. -
Mr.. Hotfecker also read the charter
which was granted to the company at
the last session of the General Assem-
bly,, also a statement from the COM
pany to the effect that 1t is the inten-
tion to furnish the public with tele-
phones at low rates; to provide the
city and vicinity with a thoroughly
equipped system, and that every pre-
caution will be taken by the manage
ment to secure and insure its establish
ment here in manner that shall prove
satisfactory to the authorities as well
as to its patrons and the public. Mr.
Hoifecker also made the statement that
nearly 600 subscribers have been Sc
cured.
President Chambers remarked that
he thought there was no necessity to
act hastily, as he believed tho board
would like to look into the matter and
ascertain the morits aud demerits.
"There are no dement's, " Mr.. Hof
fecker remarked, lyon will find all
merits. ~ He also stated that the com
pany would like the board TO act as
soon as possible, and that the members
of the company would willingly meet
with the directors at any time and
give any information desired.
Mr.. Pratt inquired If the company
owned a transmi!ter patent.
Mr.. Hoifeckor replied that tho com
pany does own such a patent, and that
each telephone that is put up will BIO
provided with a long-distance trans
mi liter, and that the equipment will
fully equal that of any system in ex-
istence. He explained that it is the
intention of the company to have long
distance telephones extending to other
places. but they desire to get the local
system in shape first. He said that it
is the intention of the company TO be
on the telephone line which will con
meet the cities FROM New York TO At
lanta, and it is probable the continu-
GUS line may be completed in GO days.
Mr.. Hotfecker left with the as
surance that the board would consider
the matter as soon as practicable.
In TALKING the matter over the direc-
tors thought it would be advisable to
hold special meeting at some early
date to further consider the applica-
ton. No time was set for tho meeting,
however.
George G. Whiteman, liveryman, and
several commission men appeared be-
fore the board aud complained against
tho enforcement of the ordinance re-
lating to keeping streets clear. Mr..
Whiteman said it was necessary for
him to occupy the streets at certain
times, as no had more teams about the
stable than could DO accommodated in
side.
The commission men complained OF
vendors occupying the street corners
and other places along tho building
the petitioners that il was not in
tended that partially should be shown,
tho gentlemen were referred to Chief
of Police Dolan, who, Mr.. Chambers
said, would interpret the law TO them,
1t was expected that the Police Com
missioners would confer with the di
rectors, but they were not present and
there was no conference.
United States District Attorney Van
degrift petitioned the board to put such
Federal Building as would emit the
least noise when teams pass over them.
He referred to the trouble caused by
noise in the present building when
United States Court is in session.
The directors decided to take this
matter into consideration when new
pavements are laid on Ninth and
Orange streets. Asphaltum was talked
e 3s4fl IN,
what material will be used.
Incidentally, tho unusually wide
square on Ninth street between Orange
and Tatnall, was spoken Of, and it was
the sense of the board that the curb
should either be brought out to the
proper line or the coping next the
building should DO removed. The
secretary was directed to confer with
Mr.. Vandegrift in the matter.
Engineer Hatton and Plumbing In
spector Kane reported that they had
examined the Tenth street sewer,
which the company owning it desires
to sell to the city. They stated that
they found it in good condition in
some places and in bad condition in
other places. Action was deferred.
Tho Reliance Fire Co. asked for re-
lief from a drain pipe which is in
sufficient to carry off the drainage.
The matter was referred to Engineer
Hatton, who was instructed TO make
an investigation and make report.
On motion of Mr.. Simmons Engineer
Hatton was instructed to build a sewer
on Ninth street from Shipley to Tat
nall. Ii was the sense of the board
that Ninth street from Shipley out
will be paved with improved material
next year.
There appeared TO be misunder-
standing between City Solicitor Har-
man and the department and the diree-