The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1902-03-06
THE WELSBACH
CONTRACT.

] Uuo IolIoWlHS lcJCcI W CIic MoIuiuS
News:
Sir: In this mornings issue of the
'News" under immense headlines,
your paper seemingly attempts to be
offensive to two OF the members Of
the Street and Sewer Department in
reference to the proposed attempt to
compromise thelighting contract with
the Welsbach Company.
II this was your intention | must
say for myself you succeeded admira-
bly,: / had thought that my position
in the matter was fairly understood.
had said enough in public towarrant
the impression. 1t is not by any
means yet assured that we can arrive
at 4 satisfactory agreement, but II we
90 ! want to assure you that every
positive action in the matter will be
had in public meeting of the board.
and properly placed on the minutes.
But cannot believe it to be u mis-
demeanor for the directors to meu-
tion such matters without going to
the trouble of calling in some one to
listen.
1t is not always pleasantto do ones
duty but in this matter L have en-
deavered to stand by the safest, and
what / have considered, under the
circumstances. the best interest Of
the city and my own convictions of
duty.
never hesitated moment in my
determination to oppose thousand
lamp and ten-year contract, nor to
disapprove the unbusiness.likc, mys.
terious. and, may say, suspicious
circumstances, under which, it was
made. and do not hesitate to say
that believe the city's representa-
tives were the prime sinners, and l
sec no reason why the department
should attempt to punish the party
who under all the relations and cir.
cumstances of the case, may Le com.
paratiyely innocent.
| have no personal interest in this
Welsbach Company. In fact have
considerable prejudice against it, But
] must not let this override my judge
ment as to the safest course to pur-
sue in protecting the city under the |
peculiar enlargement and unsatis-
factory ycandition in which | find it in
the case.
Ii il were not for the dangers and |
expense of litigation would not hesi-
tate to ignore the whole transaction,
but when think the matter over
and weigh il carefully it revolves it,
self into about this shape:
The Welsbach Company, having
agreed to modify their contract TO
the number of lights needed by the
city, and years to six, at a price which
when VIC take into consideration the
Illuminating power or the light and
the amount received for the same
service in other cities, seems not at
all excessive. This proposition. by
itself seems q fair one. 1t is simply
securing what the city needs aud
must have at a fair rate. How the
question must be answered, which is
best accept a compromise on this
basis, il the details can he properly
worked out or plunge into litiga-
tiun that must cost some, and may
cost the city many, thousands Of dol
lars when. under the most favorable
decision the city lighting will have
to Je furnished and paid for in addi-
tlon to fees. court charges or damages
as the case may bc.
Again, under the most favorablv
outcome, YOU will have tolhing TO
show for the money expended except
the satisfaction that you have down.
ed the o.hcr fellow. Would that
satisfaction compensate tie city for
the large outlay it would necessarily
have to make 10 its accomplishment:
Under the circumstances l would
feel that | had not been true to nv
trust IL failed to endca vur 10 pro-
,eet the city from large exp.nse
ard possible damages. when it can be
done without extra cost or any sacrl-
flee ot principle.
- It.iS painful to me to he compelled
to ditler with considerable number
Of gentlemen whose opniors great
lv respect, and whose goodwill and
friendship ! no: only conrt but cher.
who have unscltiShly
given much Of their time and means
to rid this city and county Of unfaith.
ful servants. But cannot but feel
that il the weight nf responsibility
rested upon them individually to adj
just this matter of lighting, any one
Ut them would think long and hard he.
fore pacing the city In Il position
where it would be liable for many
thousands OF dollars, without any
chances Of corresponding beneli,s as
lu Utliact.
You lave said much OF late dep
the spending OF the citys
money in useless litigation, and it
has been said. with the str ength an
force Of Righteousness. Then why,
may ask, do you advocate pIunging
The city into litigation That may cost
many times the amount expended
N this manner during the last twelve
when there can be no sub.
'tantial gam TO the city In any
went?
| went into this department. with
hesitancy. The hope
If being 6 ble to do something toward
'cstorlng order and placing all lines
,f work on business busis, where
merit and capacity would count.
me To accept But hope Is
'eccdng and wearncss taking its
place, and tn: question looms up be
lore Inc. Is II worth while to In. ,
'ove one S friends Oil Il thirty thuus-
and.dollaf bond for the privilege Of
negiectng ane's own business, sub.