Evening journal., 1904-06-10
CAS- COMPANY
WANTS TO BE FAIR
Major Mitchell Says HisCom-
pany Will Agree to Any
Reasonable Terms
COMMITTEE CALLS ON HIM
Denies Any Intention of Hold-uP Of
the Otto Gas Engine Company, Which
Concern is to Locate in South Will

miU9NOVs
Alsre6 o. Crozier before the Board Of
Trade last night stated thar there is al
possibility OF Wilmington losing the Otto
Gus Engine Works the big Philadelphia
Industry. which was induced several
months ago TO secure a site here on which
TO locate its plant.
The Gas Engine Company has already
paid 10000 cash sor a tract OF land on the
south side of the Christiana, below Third
strest bridge on which to erect its plant.
Mr.. Crozler explained that dissatisfaction
has been caused by the failure Of the Of
dcals of the new concern TO reach any
reasonable agreement with the Whining
ton Gas ana Electric Company, in regard
TO furnishing gas. at its works. After dis
cussing the subject for some time. on mo-
ton. President Savery, Alfred o. Crozier'
Josiah Marvel, A. d. Warner and w.
D. Mullen. Jr., were appointed a commit
tee 70 wait on the officials Of the Whining
ton Gas Company and If possible, induce
them TO make an agreement with the
Otto people at once.
Regard It As Hold-up.
This Otto Gas Engine Company seems to
look on the matter as a sort OF hold-up on
the pert Of the local company. The Of
fciais vain that without assurance that
they can secure supply Of gas at reason
able rates, they cannot build as gas is
needed to test every engine that is put on
the market The attitude Of the gas COM
pany in not making an agreement they
contend. has greatly delayed their plans
and they now refuse to submit to such
treatment any longer.
Mr. Crozier brought the matter up by
reading the entire correspondence DE
tween the Otto cas- Engine Works and the
Gas Company.
It had been sent to him by the engine
company, as he had acted for the Board
OF Trade in securing the location of the
great industry in this city.
These letters showed that for four
months the Otto concern has been trying
to get definite proposition in writing
from the Gas Company Of a reasonable
character but have been unable to do so.
In this correspondence the Otto people
claim the Gas Company stated that II
would cost them $4,000 TO connect their
mains with the Otto site and demanded
that the Otto people guarantee to pay for
1900 cubic feet OF gas a day Tor three
years which would amount to 10,SO,0OC
cubic feet in that time. at Sl.00 per thOus-
and whether they used that much or but
little The Otto people say they sent an
experienced gas man here who reported
that gas could be delivered at their site foi
an outlay Of less than 5000. and that the
Gas Company is trying TO load on theiI
new INDUSTRY the entire cost Of installing
a general gas business in South Whining
ton.
They also take exception to the state.
ment OF the Gas Company that the Otto
people would be the sole users Of gas ii
South Wilmington.
The Otto people say the gas company
has urged them to so on and put NJ
their building and when they are read,
for gas a satisfactory contract can the5
be made. The Otto company insisted OF
she agreement being made now that thel
nigh. know what they could depend upon
Finally the gas company sent its repre-
sentative to call on the Otto people tw
or three weeks ago. He gave them prom
sses that they would put the mains owe
and deliver gas in quantities as desired
They we're asked to put the offer in writ
ing. Al frs objection was made. but HI
finally promised to do so as soon as h
returned 20 Wilmington. Nothing hal
been heard from the Gas Company since
and in the meantime the Otto Company
plans are held up.
May Provide Own Gas.
Mr.. Crozler also read a letter from tn
Otto Company to himself, in which the.
state that their patience is exhausted
and they will have nothing more to d
with the gas company. but will erect thei
own sas and electric plant.
They asked that DIR. Crozier see tn
proper authorities in regard 10 securin
for them the necessary privileges 70
erecting a gas plant and laying pipes, $
that they may SO on with their Nlans 10
erecting their plant i'm this city.
In doing this, I'm order TO bring III
cost of that used IN their own plant dow
10 81 they desire tho right to sell the
surplus production to other users.
Mr. Croz.er seemed 20 think favorabl