Evening journal., 1899-11-07

grant the franchise for the use of
West Sixth street for track purposes
to the Wilmington City Railway Com
pany.
Although 1t was rumoreN that the
board would take definite action to-day,
it was not generally believed that such
would be the case. and there were no
representatives Of the contending hne5l
present except Manager Crook. OF the
Wilmington and Brandywine Springs
Company
The matter was called up by Director
Webster, after all other business was
transacted, and was a surprise to those
present
Director Carter called upon Mr..
Crook and asked him II he had any
thing to say regarding the matter Az
ter setting forth his side OF the case
Mr. Carter asked Mr.. Crook how he
expected to get away from the contract
now in existence with the Wilmington
City Railway Company regarding run
ming cars over its tracks. Mr.. Crook
replied that his company did not con-
slider the contract In existence. mas
much as the Wilmington City railway
had violated IT, and that he could prove
! Il in court.
you don't want this department to
put a club in the hands OF the Will
mington and Brandywine Springs
Company TO break the contract and
thereby put the directors in an unen-
viable condition, do your queried Mr..
Carter
I'VE certainly do not" said Mr..
lCrook, "but the contract was not a sat
lisfactory one The company forced us
Ito buy the Elsmere railroad and pay
S3l 900 for it, Why is It that you bring
this matter OF contract up now, Mr..
lCarter?"
Because" said the director, when
1.-TWO years ago you appeared before the
board on this matter the directors told
i you that the best way out OF the dini-
lculty would be to come to an agree
lment with the Wilmington City Rail
way Company by which the lines could
be operated in a satisfactory manner.
At the same time IL stated to you that
liz such a contract could not be agreed
lupon TO let the board know and the
lmatter would be reconsidered. Yet you
entered into the agreement under
which you are now operating"
Mr. Crook claimed that when the
+. agreement was made the Whining
ton City Railway Company directors
agreed that West Sixth street should
never be touched for track purposes
1T does not appear in your con-
tract" said Mr.. Carter
mo, I know Il does not replied
l Manager Crook 1T was verbal one
e. and we took their word for Il. II a
] lman's word cannot be relied upOn, MS
. paper is not worth much.
Mr.. Carter claimed that the Legisla.
ture, when granting a franchise to the
Wilmington City Railway Company tc
, operate its lines in the city had in.
4 cluded oil streets in the city. Ihal
q that same body still existed, and hat
never revoked that right
How much better of would YOU
company be II II were allowed to come
in Sixth street," continued the direc
oil tor" you claim that in that even
i you would reduce the fare to Brandy
n wine Springs to FIVE cents. and yet you
oil expenses would be increased. lol
Y would have to erect a power house pu
|. on more cars and employ more men
e THAT would be true, but our reve
n nue. would be increased, as we couli
n carry more people" replied Mr.. Crook
n Last season we were not able to &C
r lcommodate the people who wanted I
go to the Springs. They were unabl
to get on the cars.
was that not because you did no
have cars enough
II mo. sir; we had the cars, was th
reply. "but were delayed in operatin
=, them"
y Mr.. Crook still maintained that hi
lcompany had been treated unfairly
+ land asked that his company be allowe
q the use Of West Sixth street and l.
- the matter be settled in the court
u Mr.. Carter, however. held that Oh
board would not be justified in goin
behind the action of the General Al
sembly in the matter of a franchise.
" The board then consulted upon tf
b. matter, and, after some ten minute
E" cdhsideration, Mr.. Webster moved thu
s. the franchise be granted to the Wi
e. mington City Railway Company.
Mr.. Carter stated that the motion WI
unanimous, and added that the boai
had hoped that the Wilmington an
ne Brandywine Springs railway and Il
u, Wilmington Traction Company wou
er come to some agreement in the matte
er but as they had not, the departme
at was compelled 10 act as it did In q
nu matter
OF The secretary was instructed
nd draw up resolutions notifying the w
ng mington City Railway Company IN
il would be granted the franchise u
der certain conditions TO be impos
by the board.
ne MI Simmons ordnance proVlul
alp lights for vehicles was laid upon [
rd- tollo xvrfch dfenaneao of tho matt
ib- r,, ,'
ne: lof the present ConsluefaDle iouu
business was transacted