Evening journal., 1902-04-29
GAS CONTRACT
is NOT SIGNED
Mayor Returns 1t to Street
and Sewer Directors
DOES NOT THINK IT LEGAL
IIc Brings Up The Question Of The Use
and Payment for Posts
for Lights

Mayor Fisher This morning refused
to sign the Welsbach gas lighting CON
tract, and returned the document TO
the Street and Sewer Department.
When the board met this morning
the Mayor was present. and Il was ru-
mOred some important action would
be taken on the famous Welsbach con-
tract. He brought the matter up by
asking President Melvin il there was
any important business before the
board.
Mr. Melvin said there was not,
whereupon Mr.. Fisher drew long en-
velope from his pocket AZ the same
time he said: After careful conaidera-
tion of the compromise Welsbach con-
tract, / have decided not TO approve
It.
"The Specifications say that the COM
pany shall erect new posts. but no
mention is made OF the old posts that
belong to the city,
Il will sign the contract IL the Wells
bach Company will pay a rent for six
years equal to the cost Of erecting the
old posts, and If the City Solicitor Will
assure me that the contract is legal.
asked him 10 do that. but he said he
could not do So. | have my doubts
as to the legality of the contract, in
asmuch as the specifications call for a
light of sixteen candle-pOwer and the
Welsbach light is a fifty candle-power
light The City Solicitor cannot as
sure me that a fifty candle-power light
would be legal. /, therefore, return
the contract without my approval"
At that time the members of the
board made no comment Mayor Fisher
was seen after the meeting, and said
he understood the cost of each post
was about SO.
After the meeting the directors said
they did not know what would be done
about the matter. President Melvin
and Mr.. Carter said the board undoubt
edly had the power 10 proceed without
the approval Of the Mayor. A confer.
ence will be held with the City Solici-
tor.
Streets to be Paved
The board decided to pave the fol-
lowing streets with macadam: Shall
cross avenue, between Jackson and
Van Buren streets; Union, between Del
aware and Gilpin avenues; Union
avenues; Scott, between Wawaset
street and the park drive.
A meeting VIII be held this after
noon, when the question of paving
other streets will be taken up.
Permission was granted Kelley &
Ryan. the contractors, who are build
ing the Pennsylvania elevated road, TO
lay tracks across Shipley and Orange
streets so that building material may
be hauled.
Permission was asked TO put In turn
outs at Fourth and Church streets to
give the Pennsylvania Co. additional
storage facilities. To do this it will be
necessary TO put frogs in the street
lt was granted on condition it is ap-
proved by the City Solicitor.
w. ID. Mullen presented a petition
from the business men In the vicinity
.Of Fifth and French streets. asking for
relief from The dirt which is blown
from the bed of the street The matter
will be considered.
Complaint was made about a pool OF
stagnant water at Fourth and Hawley
streets. The matter was referred TO
the Street Commissioner
The board agreed TO accept the
proposition Of the Water Department
to use 10000 gallons OF water daily for
sprinkling purposes.
Frank Carswell, representing people
who desire to erect houses at Third and
Woodlawn avenue, asked for sewerage.
He said $4,000 would be spent. The
question was referred to the consulting
engineer
The Street Commissioner was in
structed to put in cutters in Second
street from WoOdlawn avenue to Rod
man street
The Wilmington City Railway Com
pany will double-track its line from
Riverview Cemetery to Shellpot Park
and today Manager Van Trump asked
for permission to lay about 300 feet oi
track. He said the company could dc
it without a resolution being adopted
by the board. The matter was refer
red TO the Street Commissioner.