Delaware gazette and state journal., 1902-12-18
FENDER ORDINANCE A LAW.
The Measure Approved and Signed
Mayor George NJ. Fisher.

The Measure Approved and signed py
Mayor George NJ. Fisher.
The ordinance requiring tenders and
wheel guards on street cars operated IN
the city OF Wilmington, which was
passed. by City Council on Thursday
night of last week, was signed by
Mayor Fisher Thursday and later,
at tho meeting of Council, President
Blaine of that body announced that
the ordinance had been approved by
the mayor and declared il to be law.
The mayor was not altogether salts
| fed with the ordinance, rs he thought
some OF its provisions offered loopholes
non enforcement, but City Solicitor
Reinhardt, to whom the matter had
been referred, said it was in proper
shape, whereupon the mayor appended
his signature.
The ordinance requires the trolley
companies to equip their cars with
tenders and wheel guards, to be ap-
proved by Council, within GO days
| from Thursday OF last week, under
penalty for each day after tho expira-
| tion OF 60 days that the law is not
complied with.
The railways companies have not
decided what they will do in regard to
the ordinance, but it is likely that 1t
| legality will be tested on the ground
that the Street and Sewer Department,
and not City Council, has jurisdiction
over the streets.
@. Reginald Van Trump, superinten-
dent of the Wilmington City Railway
Co., said Friday that he was not
in position to tell what his company
would do. He has notified the officials
of the United Power and Transporta-
| Tho M n.
ton City system, telling them of the
passage of the ordinance. and awaits
instruction from headquarters. He was
unprepared to say what would be done
in regard to the legal phase Of the mat
ter. He is of the opinion that the
tenders have not proved success.
Richard W. Crook, general manager
of the Peoples Railway Co, said his
company was willing to do whatever i:
best for the general public, but in his
opinion Council made a mistake II
passing the ordinance. He expressed
belief that tenders caused more acci
dents than they prevented, not having
seen any which fully perform the mis-
sion for which they are intended. HI
: fears that tenders will be hindranc'
: to both companies in operating som'
: of the lines, on account of the sharl
3 curves, but says, if necessary, the car
of his company will be equipped will
tenders.
5 James W. Ponder of Salisbury
4 Ponder & Curtis, attorneys for tn
1 Wilmington Il New Castle Railway Go.
3 said that company will probably com
: ply with the ordinance without ques
: tioning its legality. He was of tn
opinion that tenders would do NOR
: harm than good, but il Council think
4 otherwise his company is willing |
9 comply with the requirements.
Il Tenders can be purchased for almos
!, any amount, from $50 apiece on up int
II the hundreds of dollars. About IL
9 cars are operated in the city and th
Q work of equipping them with fender
IS will be no small job. Samples mus
n first be submitted TO Council and al
y proved by that body before orders ca
:. be placed; therefore, it will take som
u time to equip the cars.
'f Attorneys Of the different compani'
n will probably confer at once in regar
ie to the matter and decide whether
ID make contest, and it is hardly like
Ie that anything will be done in regar
10 to the matter until after this conferen'
l. 10 held.