Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1899-10-12

The Board of Trade adopted a reso-
luton Thursday requesting the Street
and Sewer Department 10 grant tho
petition Of the Wilmington Il Brandy
wine Springs Railway Co to lay tracks
on Sixth street. The opportunities for
trade in Chester and Delaware counties
which the extension Of that line are
expected TO open up and the principle
that competition brings benefit to the
people were mentioned as grounds in
support of the resolution. which was
offered by John S. Mullin, seconded by
William ID. Mullen, and adopted with
out dissenting vote. This is the
resolution:
Resolved, That the Board of Trade
requests tho members of the Street
and Sewer Commission to grant the
application Of the Wilmington x
Brandywine Springs Railway Co. for
the use of Sixth street, according 10
their petition to that body and as
granted them i'll their charter by the
Legislature, as we believe tho coming
in to our city over their own line OF
said railway will be. a great con
penience to our people and means of
bringing thousands of dollars worth of
trade TO our merchants, owing to the
prosperous section of the country
through which the road already passes
and contomplates building
lu supporting the resolution, Mr..
Mullin said he was acquainted with
the country through which the railway
expects to build to Kennett Square.
1t viii take in Toughkenamon and
West Grove and later Unionville. He
spoke of the excellent electric railway
built from West Chester to Philadel-
phia. the builder of which proposes to
build also to Unionville and it would
only be question of time to connect
with the Brandywine Springs road
there. Good business people about
hennett Square are interested. Will
mington is the natural outlet for the
people of that section; they can come
here in less time and cheaper If
trolley line is secured, than they can
60 to Philadelphia. The Brandywine
Springs road showed what it could do
last summer and this is an opportunity
to encourage it. IL ii is built the trip
to Biandywine Springs can be taken
for five cents. This seemed an occasion
for the board to express itself. Mr..
Muilin said he mad not heard tax
payer object TO granting the road per-
mission TO come In. He believed 80
per cent of the people would sign
petition for the road. If it is not
allowed to come in, the speaker
thought the town would be standing
in its own light. He thought tho
town wants ali the street railways it
can get that can be- operated success
fully.
Mr.. Mullen, who had seconded the
motion, dwelt upon the point of Viii
mingtun's natural advantages as the
outlet and inlet for Delaware and
Chester counties. Wilmington today
does 60 per cent of the business ID
that section and there is no reason why
it should not have all of it. Mr..
Mullen said he was in favor of doing
anything in the interests of Whining
top, not in tho interest of any particu-
lar company. Yet if it would bring
trade it might be one of the provinces
OF the board to ask that franchise
be given that company.
Then John S Rossell was given the
floor. He laid down the broad prin-
ciple that il the organization is doing
its duty it looks simply TO the interest
and welfare of the people of Whining,
ton, to the promotion and extension Of
trade. Whatever the controversy might
| 10 bctWb0H bilb railway COMPANIES,
with them the board had nothing to
do; let them settle them as they may
and they can. The action of the board
could not possibly affect in any way
tho interest of any of the corporations
contending for the right to use the
streets.
The speaker held that the board
ought not to hesitate about adopting
the resolution; although it might pos
| sibly be more general in its terms, yet
Mr.. Mullin evidently intended to get
To the heart of the matter and put the
organization in the forefront of the
almost unanimous demand that there
shall be competition between the rail-
way companies, from which the people
shall gain the advantage. 1t seemed
fair, and there was no reason why the
Wilmington & Brandywine Springs
road should not have some recognition
at the hands Of the municipal authori-
ties.
Mr.. Mullen said it was important to
have connection with tho section north
of Coatesyille.
The resolution was adopted without
dissent.
BOARD FAvoRs RAILWAYS.
Then a resolution, which had been
handed in, was read, and was adopted
on motion of Mr.. Mullin, seconded by
Mr.. Rossell, who supplied the restric-
tive clause, the resolution being as
follows:
"Whcreas. Under existing conditions
it is necessary that all should have
opportunities for reaching the centres
Of trade at the least possible cost
therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Board OF Trade
requests the Street and Sewer Depart
mont OF our city to be progressive and
liberal in granting the use of streets
for electric railroad service, thereby
increasing travelling facilities and
carrying out the civic spirit. But with
such restrictions as will always safe
guard the rights Of the people.
Thursday nights meeting was the first
held by the Board of Trade in its new
room, No. 800 Equitable Building.
President William Iawton presided.
The members were pleased with the
room and the board gave the room
committee vote of thanks. The
question of whether the room will be
always open was left with the COM
mittee. 1t will cost $3.50 year.
DELAWARE DAY.
Secretary Daniel W. Taylor reported
favorable replies and interest concern
ing the proposed Delaware Day at the
National Export Exposition in Phila-
delphia. Gov. Tunnel is ready to dc
everything in his power to make it q
success. On motion of Josiah Marvel
! committees will be appointed tc
arrange for advertising Delaware Day
and for transportation, which will be
at reduced rates, and for the pro.