Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1902-01-30
MORE LIGHT ON THE
LIGHT CONTRACT
4 Representative Of the WelsbaCh Co.
Presents a Certified Copy to
the Street and Sewer
Directors.
WITH AN EXPLANATORY LETTER
City Solicitor Declines to Make
the Letter Public.
THECONTRACT WAS SIGNED JUNE 10Th

The information relative to the Wells
bach street lighting contract which has
been desired for some time was fur
nished Saturday by William Smith
of Philadelphia, a representative OF the
company, who handed the directors of
the Street and Sewer Department a
certified copy of the contract, showing
that it had been executed and signed
by former Mayor Fahey June Goth, one
day before the latter's term as mayor
expired. Mr.. Smith stated that after
the contract was signed by Mayor
Fahey it was delivered by him in per-
son, on the same day, June 29sh. to the
directors of the Street and Sewer De
partment at their office at Sixth and
King Streets The contract is for 10
Gears.
In addition to the certified copy of
the contract, Mr.. Smith brought with
him from Philadelphia a letter from
the officers of the Welsbach Co. fur
Their explaining the matter. The con-
tract and letter were turned over to
City Solicitor Reinhardt, who was
present, and he took them to his office,
the light matter having been referred
to him by the board. A reporter of
The Gazette requested permission to
stb b0b COnJTdt anu ltbltFs bhb hls
Reinhardt declined to grant the re-
quest, although Mr.. Smith and the
Street and Sewer Directors. when
to be willing to have the letter printed.
Subsequently, however, Mr.. Reinhardt
had conference with the directors,
after which he announced that the
letter would not be given out for pub
LEGATION, and reporters were not per
mitted to see the papers.
Owing to his failure to meet an
earlier train, Mr.. Smith did not ar
rive at the Street and Sewer Depart.
ment Office until few minutes after
the meeting adjourned. He had hoped
to be in time for the meeting, in order
that the letter might be read and the
contract examined in public, but as
the meeting had adjourned the papers
were turned over to the directors a.
they were about to leave the room. i
was then decided to turn them over tt
the city solicitor.
The board held special meeting a
10.45 O'Clock Saturday for the pur
pose of organizing, but organization
was not effected and pending business
was taken up.
The first matter considered was tn
Welsbach contract. City Solicito
Reinhardt said Andrew G. Gray, tn
company's attorney, had informed hin
that the company expected to have
certified copy of the contract here to
day, but it had not been received. Mr.
Gray told him that the company ha
informed him that tho contract ha
been duly and legally executed and
copy had been delivered to the board
The matter was discussed at length
after which, resolution, offered b
Mr.. Melvin, was adopted, instructin
the secretary to request the compan
to produce its contract and show b
what authority it is lighting tn
streets, and notifying the company nc
to put up any more lights until thi
information was furnished.
Mr.. Carter stated that the contrac
had been duly executed and signed b
Mayor Fahey, and was delivered to til
board, all of the members being pre-!
emit He could not remember the dat
but it was few days after the col
tract was awarded, which was I'll
25th of last June. He did not kno
what had become of the contract, an
Secreatry Wiley could throw no ligI
on the subject. Mr.. Wiley told
making out the contract form in blan
and turning it over to Mr.. Smith, ii
company's agent. He also said M
Smith returned day or so later,
have some of the details explaine
The contract had not then been sign,
by the mayor. He did not see the co
tract after that.
The papers brought in by Mr.. Smi
after the meeting gave the informant,
which had been asked for in the res
luton Just adopted. Mr.. Smith,
talking to reporter of The Gazet
said the company first learn
from the newspapers that there was
controversy in regard to the contrat
and when it came to their notice tn
the new Street and Sewer DirectC
desired information regarding the CO
tract they had certified copy mac
the one which was delivered toda
After the meeting at Mr. Reinhard
request, he went to the latter's off
and they had conference.
During the meeting the direct,
practically assured Walter H. Hay
attorney for the Wilmington G
Electric Co., that the six year CO
tract with that company would in
probability be formally awarded n,
week.
A resolution offered by Mr.. Mel
was adopted instructing the secrets
to render an accounting to the Peopl
Railway Co. for paving and reques
settlement. Mr.. Wiley, in response
question by Mr. Melvin. said
bill approximates $50, 600. He sait
bill for something like $50, 600 has b
rendered and he has an account re
for about SIS, 600 more, and there is
account accruing
Child Burned.
The 1-year-old child of Jerry Tho
80 ooiorad of Na,rorly ,,,,- l.,