Evening journal., 1904-06-10

Of this plan, but several members present
remarked that the Otto people evidently
did not know what It would cost them tol
put in a gas plant here II Il would be pos
slblc for them TO get the privilege. 1t was
the general opinion that the best plan
would be to see tho gas company's Of
ficials and endcavor to bring around
satisfactory agreement.
The special Board of Trade Committee
appointed last night to endeavor to.
straighten out the alleged difficulties be-
tween the Otto Gas Engine Works and the
Wilmington Gas and Electric Company
called on the officials Of the latter COM
pany this morning. The conference was
held at the Gas Company's office with
Edmund Mitchell. vice-president and VII
Ham p. Taylor, secretary and treasurer
Of .he gas concern. The committee from
the Roard Of Trade consisted Of President
Slavery. Josiah Marvei. Alfred o. crozier
w. D. Mullen, Jr.. and A. d. Warner.
Members Of the committee were well
pleased with the interview ana are of the
opinion that the gas company has been
perfectly fair in the matter and will do
everything reasonable to satisfy the Otto
Engine Company. Mr. iAmcheH went over
the situation with Them and assured them
that be would agree TO any terms and put
It in writing which he claims mas Neen his
position all along.
Josiah Marvel a member Of the commit
tco stated after the meeting, that Mr..
Mitchelrs side Of the case was clear and
reasonable and that he is sure the gas
company VIII agree to any terms that are
fair.
The committee will so to Philadelphia
Monday to SEQ the Otto officials.
"This proposition came to us first
last March through Mr.. Crozier. He
didn't at that time state who 1t was
but said an industry would locate in
South Wilmington and wanted to know
if We would supply them with gas. We
replied that we would if the concern
used gas in quantities to Justify the
outlay.
1--WE afterwards learned that it was
the Otto Gas Engine Works and made
them a proposition to lay mains across
the Christiana leading to the works, II
they would agree to use 1900 cubic
feet Of gas a day. After considerable
correspondence, William Lawton, the
then president of the Board of Trade,
caleld on me and stated that the Otto
people would not agree to use any spe-
cied amount and unless they could Sc
cure gas they would not locate here.
I'VE then agreed to lay mains 10
their works and not bind them TO any
certain amount and sent them on May
3 a letter which contained the follow
ing: our price for gas is 500 per 1000
cubic feet to all and Of course could
not sell to you for leee. When you are
ready to use gas we are condent that
we can convince you that we are not
asking too much of you to use 1900
cubic feet perday, but II we can moi
convince you we viii modify our de.
mands to suit your views
i This, Mr.. Mitchell explained, left th'
matter entirely in the hands of the OF
10 people and did not bind them TO d'
lanything. Continuing he said;
I'VE were much surprised to see tn
article in print this morning. We havl
done everything possible IN this cas-
as in all others TO bring industries e
Il Wilmington. We are making arrange
ments and contracts now to supply no
} only the Otto Gas Engine Compan,
with gas, but anyone else who viii usl
it. This requires a large outlay o
money and we felt justied in eXactins
that they usea certain amount. Whei
we found they objected we then pu
the matter in their hands entirely. In
t. stead Of putting a hindrance on them
we, from business standpoint, hav
done more than anybody else to satisf!
them"