Evening journal., 1897-09-22
Mr.. PRATT SILENT.
Would Not Vote on the Grant
ing of Sixth Street.
MATTER STILL HANGS FIFE

HE WANTED MORE TIME TO CON
SIpER-THE FRANCHISE WILL
COME UP FOR FINAL ACTION
NEXT TUESDAY NIGHT.
Had Lawyer William S. Hiles. who
represented the interests Of the VIII
mington and Brandywine Springs Rail
way Company In the big franchise
| fight, been present at the meeting of
the Street and Sewer Department last
night, he would have heard some scath.
ing remarks which emanated from Mr.
| Webster.
The franchise fight took on another
! phase. Mr.. Pratt. who has been in
Alaska, was in his old seat and presided
over the meeting Messrs. Simmons
and Webster appeared somewhat re-
lieved at the presence Of their colleague
and chairman.
Win the meeting had been opened,
Mr.. Pratt asked, as usual If anyone
among the visitors had anything to
say. DR.. l.. II. Ball, one Of the projec-
tors OF the Wilmington and Brandywine |
Springs Railway Company. said that he
would like to bring up the matter OF
granting the use of Sixth street TO that
company
Mr.. Pratt said that the matter was
new subject TO him and he could not
vote on a subject that he was not ac-
quainted with He said that he would
net vote for the franchise unless the |
building of the road was bona fide
MIR Webster said: This matter has
been before the board for some time. |
Mr. Crooks. speaking for Mr. Hilles last
Thursday night, said that Mr.. Hilles
unfortunately would not appear before
the board In reference to the franchise |
If Mr.. Hilles had not appeared before
the board In his bulldozing orat0ry, tho
Wilmington and Brandywine Springs
J Railway Company would have been bet
ter Off. Turning 10 Mr.. Pratt, Mr.
Webster continued: Mr. President, you
should have heard the remarks which
Mr.. Hiles made relative to you going
to Alaska He said that you should
have stayed home and attended to your
duty. His manner all through this con-
trovorsy has been bulldozing.' Then.
turning TO the few representatives Of
p the Wilmington and Brandywlne
4. Springs Company, Mr.. Webster emphat-
q ically said: And that is why you have
( not been granted the franchise before
this"
Continuing he said: I'VE have had
/ AihnAllot Ani UlEhhAnnAf NAAhii hMn
q supper. and had we been at this Office
. we would have been killed with fran
9 chise."
"The Legislature gave the Whining
ton and Brandywine Springs Railway
n Company the charter TO build It's line
n and the only thing we can do is 10 place
v restrictions on that charter We have
done that and the restrictions have
4 been agreed to. II the Legislature
y granted to the railway company a
v charter which conflicts with the Will
mington City Railway Company, then
that is the fault Of the Legislature, and
not the Street and Sewer Department. -
DR.. Ball said that the men who were
: backing the road were legitimate capi-
n talists, and the enterprise was legiti-
Il mate.
a Mr. Pratt said that he could not vote
: fer the franchise last night He de-
, sired TO be better informed
~ He referred to the remarks made by
: Mr. Hlles, saying that he would not be
n member Of the Street and Sewer De-
partment for the small salary It pays
II he had to sacrifice his private inter
osts by remaining in Wilmington.
u Mr. Webster said: "The Wilmington
j. City Railway Company has done much
. to improve this city. | don't believe
D. that 1t has made any money, and what
= 7 ever money II has earned II has beer
y spent on the streets and plant. He saiC
p he would not vote for the franchise Il
y he thought It would injure the vii
~ mington City Railway Company"
'e Dr. Ball gave some of the names O
the subscribers, among which were
Dobson, the carpet maker, OF philadel
phia. who held $4,000; Harrison, the su
p gar refner. $25. 900: William G.. Price
le Sl5. 900; n Mr. Coates. $4,000, and Vice
re President Hobart. $1,000.
10 Mr.. Webster contended that the vii
K mngton and Brandywine Springs Rail
'e way Company had been waiting Ions
r enough
Mr. Pratt said that the other mem
hers Of the board should have acteC
before now, having had all Of the de
s. sired information.
al Mr.. Simmons. who was sitting quietl!
lg by then said that he was willing tha
E. Mr. Pratt should have more time e
&c study the question.
k The whole matter ended by Mr. Prat
r saying that he would vote for O
against the franchise on Tuesday nigh
next.
. Among the routine business discussed
~ was the putting of telephones in each o
)r the fire engine houses, one in the clerl
s. CT the Municipal Courts office, polic'
=, station. city tax collectors office. clerl
T. Ct Councils office city treasurer's of
D. fee letter was received from Cit.
Solicitor Conrad, notifying the bOar'
that judgment had been entered in th
Courtney damage suit. The bill
e amounting to S76376, was ordered paid
to Mr. Simmons voted against II.
y