Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1902-01-09
THE WELSBACH CONTRACT
Was Awarded Last June and Was Then
Executed by Mayor Fahey.
IT IS FOR A TERM OF TEN YEARS
Mayor Fahey Was Doubtful in
His Recollection.
REFRESHED HIS MEMORY BY RECORDS


DR.. John g. Fahey, former mayor Of
the city, whose term expired on June
Both, informed reporter OF Tbs
Gazette yesterday that before the
expiration OF his term he signed the
Nelsbaoh street light contract, which
had been made by the Street and Saver
Department for period OF 10 years
from January let, 1902.
At the meeting of the Directors of
the Street and Sewer Dapai tmsnt on
the 25th Of last June, this contracts for
city lighting were awarded to the Will
inington City Electric and Welsbach
Street Lighting Cos, but on that day
1t was announced that the periods for
which the contracts were to run would
be decided later. Recently it was re-
ported that the Welsbach contract was
arrsnged before the end of the month,
the period OF years being fixed, and the
contract signed by former Mayor Fahey.
When DIR. Fahsy was seen In regard
to the matter yesterday he told the
reporter that he could not give any
definite information ON the subject. 81
do not remember whether | signed ths
contract or not, . he sa d. "If it waa
presented to me ] signed it, and if /
did sign it | did so because it met with
my approval. II ] did not sign 1t am
sorry | did not have an opportunity to
do 50 . The reporter insisted upon
having definite information, il possible,
whereupon the doctor said he thought
he had u record of matters OF the kind
which had come before him, and il he
could fnd 1t he would let the reporter
know lust what happened.
The conference with the former MAYOR
took place about a.3C O'Clock, and at
poon the latter telephoned to The
Gazette Office that he was in posi-.
ton to give definite information. II
signed the Welsbach contract for
period Of ~ years, he said.
when did you sign it?'' the reporter
asked.
~ don't know, the doctor replied,
"hut 1T was some time IN June IL was
brought to me by the Street and. Sewer
Directors and after il had been ex-
plained TO ne signed ii. The period
had been fixed at 10 years AMI | was
given to understand that the 81 ctrio
company was to receive a 10 year con-
tract also, ! signed the Welsbaoh con
tract and understood that the electric
contract was to he brought to me for my
signature II so but it was never shown
to Inc, and, OF course, 1 did not sign
any contract with that company. y
Secretary Wiley of the Street and
Sewer Department. when spoken to on
the subject yesterday, said that so
far as he knew, the contract had never
bean signed. "Our minutes 90 not
show that it has been signed, . he said,
and there is no record of such trans
action in this office, although 10 II nv
have been signed without my knowl-
edge" He stated, further, shat imme.
diately after the contracts were awarded
In June, contracts were drawn up. one
for the City Electric Co. aud the Other
for the Weisbach Co. The latter was
sent to the company's office IN Phila
delpha. As to the period Of years,
Mr.. Wiley says that was left blank ia
both contracts, to be filled in by tho
board at subsequent time and he has
no knowledge or record of the pel iod
having been fixed prior to the meeting
of December 31st. wher the terms CT
both the electric and gas contracts wers
fixed at 10 years. He also says that,
sc far MS he knows, the Welsbacb con
tract is not on file at his Office, aud he
has never received it.
just why the matter was not given
publicity by the Street and Sewer De.
parEment,or why the Welsbauh contract
was mentioned at the meeting on De.
cember 3lst is not plain, Inquiry was
made several times in regard to both
contracts, but the facts were not learned
until yesterday. when they came
from the iIs Of DR.. Fancy.
There was general impression, how
ever, that the WeIsbach 20. had an
understanding with the Street and
Sewer Directors, il not an actual agree
mem, as the new lamps were Installed
some time before the time for the .ooa-
tract to begin.
The matter OF the electric light con,
tract will come before the new Street
and Sewer Directors, who will be asked
to consider the request of President
Rigg of the company that the period of
the contract be reduced from 10 to six
years. This spirit on the part of the
company appears 10 meet with general
approval, and IL is believed that the
sIx.year contract will be approved by
the department and signed by the
mayor.
New Castle County Mutual Insurance Co.
The annual meeting OF the members
of the New Castle County Mutua! In
surance Co. will he held at the Office Of
the company, COZ Market street. on
Monday morn ng, January Goth, at ~
o clock, when five directors will be
elected fer three years and one for two
years.
Marrtages.
CUILLAs-FosTER-At The rectory of Calvary
Ghurell, this city on January ~. 1902. ". Rev.
BlackWood. N, j., aud Mrs, Laura Iehura