Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1902-01-23
VEL LSBACH COMPANY
RECEIVED CONTRACT
ecretary Wiley Says it Was Awarded
by the Street and Sewer Depart
mGnt on June 25th Last.
ANOTHER CONCERN WANTS TO
BID FOR STREET GAS LAMPS
sThe American Street Lighting
a Co. of Baltimore.
LIGHT SUBJECT UNDER DISCUSSION

Thomas II. Melvin, one of the new
street and sewer direo ors, attended |
hiH first meeting as q member Of the |
board tuesday. having qualified !
several days ago. 1t was believed that
the new board you'd organize aud
make some changes in the working force |
Tuesday, but atar the three directors,
Messrs. Melvin, Carter and johnson,
had held conference. the meeting was
called to order by Mr.. Garter, who
announced that the board had decided
to ineut for organization next Satu day
morning.
Mr.. Carter presided throughout the
Many spectators we're present,
Including Alfred GawthroD, pres dent
of the Citizens association; John A.
Iligg and X. A. Fichthorn both OF
Reading. Pa, president and treasurer,
of the Wilmington Uity
Railway and Wilmington City Electric
Sompanies; Waiter Ii. Hayes, the at.
iprney Tor the companies: Willard Sauls.
Haiy, representing the American Street
Fighting Co. of baltimore; City Clerk
~ illiam l.. Hamann, Building Inspector
aphn J. Cassidy, City Reg gistrar Charles
III. Ten Weeges, City Councilman
Hamilton Stewart and number of
6&her peop.e.
Al 'rhe matter of the Welsbach lighting
{s6ntract was d souased and it was de-
N{ped, the records throwing very little
limit on the sub ect, to ask the city
S67i itor to make an investigation aud
KHertain whethor there is legal con
xSaot and the status of the authority
uNler which the company IS acting with
JHHarl to the matter of street lighting
SHHhis city.
he subject OF public lighting was
Afought up by the reading OF letter
from the Wi mington City Electric %
HHAing the board to reduce the Eericd
fits contract from ~ to six years.
A{ter the letter had been read Mr..
lnhnson sreaking for the board, in
SQEmed the representa- yes Of the com.
f83IE Ir,Hent that the matter would be
f&k#u up and an effort would be made
Lei a now resolution in shape, cover.
xfl8 rhe shorter period, within week.
{68 contract will probably be formally
|& Arded at the meeting next Tuesday.
&}1is arrangement satisfactory to the
q1lnpany a d Attorney Hayes assured
!the directors that the city would not
!pbnding.
72A letter was read from Willard Sauls-
bnry, representing the American Strset
Aghting Go. of Baltimore, asking that
lhe company be permitted to bid Tor
gas lighting.
N Mr.. johnson said tbs bohd d should
lknow the status OF tho Welshach matter,
md at his request Secretary Wiley
Examined the records Mr. Wiley, read.
ing from the minute book, informed
The board that the bids for lighting
Mere regularly advertised for and opened
Oh June 18th aud on June 10th, On
I motion of Mr.. FaheY, the We'sbnch
Go was awarded the contra fer olS or
q Aif ore gas lamps, no per the company'a "a
bid, to be ocated as determined later.
3V December 31tt the board decided
No Dix term OF 10 years for the street
DightiHg contracts
N Was taere any agreement with the
& ss'Welsbach Coz" MIR. Johnson asked.
N When the ctn rRct was awarded >
kthe secretary replied, ''lt was my duty
Ito prepare a contract form, which did,
lShnd on the following day, June 2ith,
sIe ivered the contract form to repre-
sRentatiye of the Welsbach Co. | have
fnever zen that contract noe y
% stTherefcle, - sAid Air Melvin, "b,
&he records no contract is shown.
There is 10 paper writing to tina
IA decG on the records, sa Mr. Wiley
and have never ssen any signed con
~ act. -
Va "Who is ordering these new lamp
b7put up?'' Mr.. Melvin asked.
1# II do not know" replied the score
Nary.
it'll II think it should be- stoppet
tntil We make an investigation, !" SAT-
Mr. Melvin. who dea gnates wha
lamps shall be put up and whore the
eha he paced?"
M "The board, " replied the secretary
g Have any instruoto ons bean give
S3n regard to the placing of thes
amps?" Mr.. Carter asked.
mo, sir, " the secretary replied, "a
Mar as I know."
W THE records show ND contraots'
&Mr. johnson asked.
AIN No, the secretary replied, ~ hag
fNreVer seen any signed contract. "
lM But you prepared form of con
tract, suggested MIR. Carter.
We Yes, sir, =" said Mr. Wiley.
iM We'll, " said Mr.. johnson, 'som
4fcontract should come to light. | don
W. heo Wudt opliShbion tne DOaru is unQ9r.
al Attorney Salisbury said the America
n Lighting Go. wanted to bid for the il
oandescent gas lighting. and he L.
d5 lieyed he could show that there wa
u Inothing in the way, as he was of th
:t#opiniOn that the alleged Welabach col
& ract is illegal. He said his eompau
ad been saving the city OF Baltimo,
i $6u, QUO annually, having the contra,
a 3or all of the incandescent lightiu
u 1xhere He also said the company is /
t competitive business with the Wei
u bach 90. and does lighting somewhi
4 rtslmi ar
VIZ "Prorosals were never asked for ths
{, kind of lighting, said Mr.. SBulsbur,
0 in speaking of the matter of awardiI
rt4sthe contracts here If they had hes
she American Go. would have submittt
aI@a bid. 1t is now prepared and anxiol
n W bid for three or five year contra
n NJ less rsts than the 10 year Wei
y bach contract. lie said his compal
Il was prepared to give any boud for tI
ri faithful performance OF any contra
uK which might he awarded
tk Mr.. johnson thought the board oou
rl not even consider the matter until
ekaHgor some light on the Wesbaeh matt
Sepd he thought the advice of the oi
Mt~linitar shanld ha nnnsht .t onc