Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1902-02-12
ME GENERous GAsMAN

Now we are to have free gas. We do
not mean this in a figurative, nor al
humorous sense, since there would be-
no novelty in that statement, but there
is a proposition to furnish a CONNER
cial article which is to light our streets
so that a light as Of broad day is toI
illumine our dark places, causing vice
and iniquity to desert our lanes and by
ways and seek shelter elsewhere.
The proposition comes from j. Ed
ward Addicks, and as an evidence Of
good faith his man, Friday, alias J.
Frank Alice, accompanies the Gasman
when he makes the tender There is
something remarkable in this proceed
ing, for, Notwithstanding that Addicks
has won a certain kind OF fame as a
dealer in gas stocks and promoter Of
gas companies, having organized a
company in each of three States, yet
records may be searched in vain to
show that he has ever had the remOtest
connection with any concern that has
ever manufactured and furnished gas
to consumers in any appreciable guam
titles for any considerable length of
time. Someway there is always wind
or water in the pipes, and these ele-
ments are bad for purposes OF illumina-
ton.
Addiclxs has made for himself a rec
ord in this matter. His first lighting
experience was gained in Boston, and
there the people, ere they were Through
with him, also gained experience, learn
ing that it is a costly commodity. II
is safe to say that in the light of Their
past history. the people Of Boston vii
not feel constrained to deal with AID
dicks again Then he found Buffalo
ready for exploitation. and left behin'
illumination. but il was not of a kim
that people usually pay their har'
earned money for. 1t seems to hav
been a game of freeze-out, and Addick
came out Of 81 with million OF tw
of securities, but furnished little or n
gas in consideration. The modus Opei
andi is somewhat as follows: Organic
a gas company. and then sell out
the bona fide concern that is alread
on the ground. II It doesn't feel il
clined to buy, then bend every effort
secure franchises granting the priyilel
of laying mains and furnishing gas
competition With this concessio
threaten your rival again, and he ms
be in a frame of mind to buy you on
II he still is obstinate. then lay Of
or two mains. and put down the pri
OF gas below cost That will bring q
competing concern to terms, and il W
buy out the wildcat concern, ev
though it spells ruin. The people
Buffalo could elaborate this history
our edifcation and profit
That has been the history Of
Oxy-Hydrogen Company ever since
Claymont manipulation came into c'
troll OF that concern. We have pl
lished from time to time correspOi
ence indicative Of his purpose to co
pei the Wilmington Coal Gas Co
pany to purchase his interests, and d
at an enormous figure. And what
he have TO sell? A charter and a
tank-nothing more. Now, in the III
OF history. let us consider the pro
sition made to the Street and Sc
Commission yesterday.
First the commission is to direc
disconunuance OF the injunction in
Court Of Chancery preventing the
dicks company from laying pipes
this city. Thai means that the L
remedy to prevent our streets from
ing torn up for the mere purpos,
compelling the existing gas compan,
purchase his franchise. is to be di
ped. With the injunction discontinr