Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1901-11-28
WHAT THE RAILROAD
MUST AGREE TO DO
In Order to Get Permission to Run Its
Elevated Tracks Through
Wilmington.
MUST HAVE ITS NEW SHOPS HERE
And Accept Regulations as to
Track Columns.
THE SUBJECT FULLY DISCUSSED AGAIN

Ii the Pennsylpania Railroad Go.
enters into an agreement with the
Street and Sewer Depar tment to build
its new shops here, as proposed, the
department will grant the elevated
franchise as soon as the city and COM
pany can decide what streets are 10 have
columns under the bridges and what
streets are to have clear srans. This
statement is summary of the con
illusions reached at the meeting of the
Street and Sewer Depar tment Tuesday
morning. All of the members were
present and before the meeting they
discussed the matter for about an hour
with City Solicitor Reinhardt. There
was long public discussion at the
meeting, when 1t was finally decided to
have conference with Chief Envjpser
Brown of the railroad comp3ny at 2
O'Clock yesterday afternoon or Friday
afternoon, when it is hored 10 settle
the final point of difference, the matter
oil columns in the streets. The depart
ment is willing TO allow columns in
some of the streets and The object of
the conference is to locale the columns.
AS soon as that matter Is definitely
settled the resolution will be in shane
to pass and the directors have intimated
that they will pass it as soon as possible
thereafter.
A committee of The Board of Trade,
headed by President Lawtou, was
present to advocate the passage OF the
resolution. William w. Lobdell of the
Lobdell Car Wheel Co., the chairman,
was the chief speaker. lie said the
COMMITTEES was present to ascertain what
the board intended TO do In the matter
and to know whether there were any
points of difference between the board
and the railroad company which the
committee. as citizens, could help to
adjust. He said he understood that
the position of the department was that
it would grant the franchise if the
company would agree to build its shops
here and would not oppose the opening
oe streets in the future or the running
OF trolley lines across its right of way.
Mr. Carter said that was about the
idea.
Mr. Rcinhsrdt said What the board
wanted was the righttoFrun any streets
across the right of way, insthe event OF
the shops not being built. without
taking the usual legal proceedings, the
idea being that II the shops are built
the city abandons its plan of opepipp
avenue in the future.
MIR. Lobdell called attention to the
fact that the company builds entirely
on its own right of way north of Van
dever avenue and thought the company
should not be required to- make any
agreement relative to something that
does not belong to tbs city.
City Solicitor Reiphardt thought tho
oity was giving away valuable fran
ohise; 1T had given away valuable
franchises to trolley companies in the
past, and il he had been consulted
about the matter as city solicitor he
would have advised against giving
away franchises without getting some
thing in return.
In reply to Mr.. Reinhardt, Mr.. Lob
dell said it Is the purpose of the com
pany to run all passenger trains ON the
elevated tracks and all through freight
trains over the south side cut off, which
will eliminate 30 per cent of the sur
face traffic and 30 per cent of the
danger. Mr.. Lobdeil said he did not
think the city and the company were
so far apars as many suppose, and the
directors agreed with him.
The matter of footbridge across the
Brandywine was brought up, but the
sentiment appeared to be that the city
could not compel the company TO have
a foot bridge there.
Relative to Thirteenth street, the
directors stated that there was no
trouble about that, as the city would
be satisfied with seven or eight-foo
arch there. which could be huilt under
the span ir to the Pullman works.
The matter of trolley crossing either
at Seventh street or Vandever avenue,
was mentioned, and Director Fahey
thought lines should be permitted to
cross at any point. 1t was thought
there would be no trouble about tilat
matter, as the laws regulate such mat
ters,
As result of the conference, the
matter appeared 10 dwiid!e down to a |
difference over clear spans at street
crossings, as the general impression was |
that the proposition relative to the |
shops and streets north of Vandeyer
avenue would be agreeable TO the ooLn.
pany.
AS to the spans, Mr.. Reinhardt said
what the city wanted was @ enr snans.
except at Fourth, Front and other |
st eets which are crossed diagopally.
where the c:ty will agree to have sun |
ports. Mr.. Lobdell thought the com. |
pany intended 10 have clear SCANS, ex-
cept where engineering difficulties are
MIR. Lobdell agreed to make an effort |
TO get Chief Engineer Brown here sc |
as to adjust the column matter, and /
said he thought if the department |
would make positive statement re-
ative to it's position he could get the
failroad comrauy 10 agree to all reasonn
BILE. conditions, whereupon Mr.. Fahey
'aid: II think if you get them 10
ouild the shops hers we will pass the
The other members as.
'ented and Mr.. Lobdel said he thought
ne could get such an agreement and
would try to have Engineer Brown here.
The Jeffries -I1itzsim mons Fight.
RsastlaxsSa o.. NJ. l