The sun., 1900-02-17
MUCH TALK HEARD
ABOUT INVESTIGATION
Mayor and City Solicitor Are
Said to Not Favor COun-
ellis Attitude.
ABOUT CONCEALED FACTS
President Simmons and Director
Webster Treat With Unconcern
Resolutions of Council and
Say the Legislature Itself,
Has Given Franchises.

There was much speculation about
town yesterday as to what the special
Council committee would be able to un-
earth in its proposed investigation of the
actions of the Street and Sewer Depart
ment, which it is directed by the resolu-
tion adopted Thursday night, to proceed
with Immediately.
There was a report abroad yesterday
that the special committee had gotten on
to some facts about the actions OF the
Street and Sewer Department, which
they had not divulged in open meeting
but which had induced them to use such
strong language i'll the resolutions pre-
sentei by them to Council.
The lengthy meeting OF the committee
on thursday afternoon lent color to the
truth OF the report that they had made
some discoveries. Some time was also
spent by the committee in the office Of
the Street and Sewer Department.
| When questioned about the matter
last night, a member of the special COM
mitee said the report had no foundation
at all. The committee did visit the
office of the Street and Sewer Depart
ment but it was only to obtain copy Of
the minutes of the meeting of the Street
and Sewer Directors at which the
1
a copy of the franchise itself.
1t is said that no time has been agreed
upon for the next meeting of the COM
mittee but it will likely be early next
week.
| Some adverse criticism is heard on the
course of the Republican members OF
Council in voting against the resolutions.
They give as reason that they are op-
posed to the implied threat in them as
we'll as the insinuations of wrongdoing
continued in the words 'malfeasance il
office" They say they arc ready te
act as soon as wrongdoing can bt
II proven.
Some talk has been caused by the re
port that neither the mayor nor the cit,
solicitor favor the investigation. WheI
asked about the matter last nigh
Mayor Fahey declined to talk on tn
subject.
The directors OF the Street and Sewe
Department. are apparently treating will
unconcern the resolutions passed b.
Council. President Simmons and Di
rector Webster do not believe that Coun
Gil could remove them for any OF thei
] actions. Director Webster said las
g night that they had done nothing NOR
e than what they had right to. Ii
!. stated that this was not the first tim
0 that franchises OF sweeping characte
had been awarded to corporations. ID
g said that charters had been granted b
i the Legislature of q sweeping character
e He mentioned the Wilmington Coal Ga
n Company and Wilmington City Railwa
n Company and Wilmington Electric Con
e pany as exemples of corporations enjoy
e ing franchises somewhat similar to til
e Universal Conduit, Heat, Light an
Power Company.
vi Director Webster stated that he di
y not know when the directors would me,
|. the Councilmanic committee.
,e The Democratic League will hold
k meeting tonight and arrange for a publ
2 meeting to be held in some public ha
:. next week, when an opportunity will
k given for discussion Of the question
} President Of Council w. S. Alexande
,r will, it is expected, be one of the speal
I6 pra