Evening journal., 1902-02-11
TO FURNISH GAS
FREE OF CHARGE
OXy-HydrOgen Makes This
Offer to Directors
ADDlCKS PRESENTS LETTER
CITY Electric Go. Probably Will be
Awarded Contract Latter Part
Of This Week

Directors OF the Street and Sewer De
partment were given surprise party"
today. Surprises have been crowdmgl
thick and fast ON the directors of late
but the one today was stunner. Thel
surprise was in the nature Of a communi-
cation presented by J. Edward Addcksl
from the Oxy-Hydrogen Company
agreeing to furnish the city with gas forl
an indefinite period free Of charge.
II was while the directors were deeply
absorbed in the discussion OF lightingl
contracts that J. Edward Addicks walk
ed into the room. Mr. Addicks was ac-
companied by J. Frank Alice who pceped
in at the door and then backed out intol
the corridor
Mr.. Addicks carried in his hand "a doe
ument and addressing the board. said:
Mr.. Chairman, ] have here a communi-
cation which ! wish 10 present beforel
this board Following which he turned
over the communication to Secretary
Wiley and departed as suddenly as hcl
came
Secretary Wiley then read the com
munication. as follows:
Wilmington, Del, Feb n. 1902
To the President and Directors OF the
Street and Sewer Department,
Gentlemen; On behalf of the Oxy-
Hydrogen Company OF Wilmington, Del
aware, ! respectfully request that you
direct a discontinuance Of the Injunction
in the Court Of Chancery which cnjoins
the said company from laying its pipes in
the city of Wilmington.
A number Of eminent counsel have
joined in the opinion that the company
has legal right TO lay gas pipes in the
streets OF Wilmington without permis-
sion of your department The litigation
against the company during the last
twelve years has manifestly been in the
interest Of rival gas company and is not
IN the interest Of the people. Now that
the new board has come into Office. l am
constrained to believe that an unbiased
consideration Of the situation will lead to
a decision which will enable the Oxy-Hy-
drogen Company to pursue It's business
without delay. The company will gladly
accede 20 any regulations imposed by
your board in the interest of public
safety, and, in addition, will agree TO fur
nish gas for the street lamps of the city
when and as soon as its mains are laid inI
any and every street and will furnish
said gas for said street lamps without
compensation.
Very truly,
j. Edward Addicks,
For OxyHydrOgen Company.
Half suppressed filters emanated from
various parts Of the room while the read
ing was in progress. When Secretary
Wiley had finished, Mr.. Johnson made al
motion that the letter be- accepted, which
was carried.
a resolution presented by Thomas IL.
Melvin at recent meeting came up for
discussion.
The resolution framed by Mr.. Melvin
is TO the effect that inasmuch as the opin-
ion of the city solicitor has declared the
contract existing between the Welsbach
Company TO he void and invalid the sec
retary be instructed TO netify the com
pany TO cease lighting the streets Of this
city.
Mr. Reinhardt was present and said he
would like 10 make a request that the
board postpone action in the resolution as
no communication was present from the
Welsbach Company.
Mr. Melyin-"Well, / think we have
arrived at point where haste is neces-
sary.n
Mr.. johnson: Il think next Tuesday
should be the extreme limit"
Mr.. Melvin. IL tlhnk an extra meet
ing should be held before that time when
we can arrange the matter"
Mr.. Reinhardt said he would see the
company's attorney. Andrew C. Gray.
who has an incomplete statement from
the concern. A special meeting was
agreed upon. and the directors will meet
Mr.. Gray the latter part of the week.
1t is probable that the Wilmington
City Electric Lighting Company will be
awarded n six-year contract at q special
meeting TO be held on Thursday or Fri
day
a communication was read from the
company this morning approving Of y
contract for such a period.
Mr.. Reinhardt said the board had prac-
tically pledged itself to award the CON
tract 70 the company and that ne favored
the award.
Mr.. Carter said that although the board
had practically awarded the com
pany the contract, he was in favor Of a
special meeting being held the latter part
of the week when the matter can be ad-
iusted finally.
Mr.. johnson, called the attention Of Mr.
Reinhardt TO the fact that he understood
the old contract provided for the substi-
tuition Of are for incandescent lights
when necessary. lie thought this a good
provision.
Mr.. Reinhardt informed him that such
provision would be in the new docu-
ment and proceeded TO read him sections
Of IL.
After short conference il was decided
20 hold a special meeting of the board
when officials Of the company can be
present.
4 communication was read from the
American Lighting Company, of Balti-
more. asking to be allowed TO bid for
street lighting and agreeing to pay to the
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