Evening journal., 1904-12-16
COMMITTEE FAVORS COMPETITION

very large quantity of gas, but we
charge them the same rate per one
thousand cubic feet as we charge con-
sumers whose requirements and means
are limited and whose bill may be only
20. 30 or so cents per month. When
you carefully consider the reasons for
one price and add. that the Otto Gas
Engine Company now pays Philadel-
phia 81 per thousand cubic feet, we
think you will agree with us that it is
unreasonable and unfair to ask us to
make a special price to them.
"4th. This proposition we overlooked
this morning, but will now say that
our works are open to your inspection,
or to anyone authorized by you at any
time, and as we stated two years ago,
when we. with you. advocated the ap-
pointment of a gas inspector, We are
willing and anxious at all times that
every means possible shall be adopted
that will secure to the consumer the
information whether he is or is not be-
ing dealt with justly by every handler
of public commodities; we would sug-
gest, however, and request that your
honorable body visit our works and sat-
isfy yourselves Of the conditions and
needs before deciding just what had
best be done in the case.
I'm addition to the above, I would ask
your indulgence to allow us to briefly
correct some misstatements made be-
fore the Street and Sewer Department
last Tuesday. and which have since ap-
/ peared in our newspapers in the form
of a letter.
No Opposition Gas Companies.
1--WE never said gas was not sold
lower than 81 per thousand cubic feet
but we did say no city in our vicinity
sold it at less than 81 per thousand GU
bic feet. and cited a number of cities
/ giving price which was 81, or more
Further, we did say that there are in
fact no opposition gas companies in
any cities in the United States, and still
say so. The few places named in the
letter keep up their organizations FOR
reasons of their own. but they are op-
Grated and controlled by one company
Thanking you for giving us this op-
portunity for expressing our views on
matters so important and hoping you
will take advantage Of the earliest OPP
portunity to visit our works, we are,
! Yours very truly,
(Signed)
Wilmington Gas and Electric Co.,
BY Edmund Mitchell
The couneilmanic Report.
The report which the special commit
tee presented to Council last night is as
follows:
Wilmington, Del, Dec. IS. 1904.
To the President and Members of the
Council:
Gentlemen: Your committee appoint.
ed to consider the resolution adopted
by your honorable body in reference t
the Importance Of granting franchises
beg leave to report as follows:
I'VE considered the proposition re.
Gently submitted to the Street anC
Sewer Department and attended g
meeting of the said department, al
which meeting your committee suggest
ed to said department the importanc,
of deferring action on the granting o
the franchise then being asked for o.
the said department until such fran
chise could be more fully considered II
detail. As a result of that conferenc,
the matter was deferred and led up t,
meeting with the representatives O
the Wilmington Gas and Electric Com
pany. Realizing as your COMMITTEES
, does the great value of the franchise
now owned by the Wilmington Gas ant
i, Electric Company and also the grea
value of the same to any new com
pany, and believing that the city is no
receiving sufficient benefits therefron
, to help the city meet its CONSTANT,
growing demands for revenue and tina
it cannot obtain additional revenu
without increasing the present tax rat
on real estate, the committee submit
, ted a proposition to the Wilmington Ga
, and Electric Company as follows:
Il. Give the city 95-cent gas.
"2. Give the city per cent. of IT
, gross receipts.
"S. Make satisfactory terms with tn
Otto Gas Engine Company and
"A. Permit the city to appoint a ga
inspector and the company pay the sal
{ airy.
= This proposition was rejected. an,
4 the committee feels that the only i'm