Evening journal., 1904-12-20
OTTO FRANCHISE
IS REFUSED BY
SEWER BOARD
Director Melvin Favored the
Granting of Application,
But Others Oppose It'd
FINALLY LAID ON THE TABLE

The Board of Street and Sewer Com
4 missioners this afternoon practically
! refused a franchise to the Otto Gas
4 Engine Company. President Carter
! and Director Johnson opposed the
franchise while Mr.. Melvin favored 1t.
When the matter came up for final
disposition after an extended session
4 Commissioner Melvin said: Il have no
interest in either the Wilmington Gas
+ and Electric Company-or the Otto Gas
Company. but I am here as represen-
tative of the people and citizens of
+ Wilmington. 1 have consulted many
5 of my constituents in this matter and
4 their expressions were in favor Of
4 granting the franchise to the Otto
4 Company provided the citys interests
4 were amply protected.
Melvin Gives His Reasons.
"My constituents are of the general
kopinion that by granting the franchise
large industry will be located here,
+ the people will get cheaper gas and
4 city will receive two per cent. of the
4 gross receipts of the Otto Company
annually and also that in the event
4 of a merger, the city shall have first
option on the purchase Of the plant at
4 the cost price of its construction with
six per cent. added.
1.-THE city solicitor has assured me
that the franchise has been properly
! and legally drawn up and 1 now stand
ready to vote to grant it.
Il want to say to the citizens of Will
mington that if this franchise is turn
+ ed down and If there is any blame I
4 don't want it laid at my door"
Tra nnA frsn raff 10
franchise He was OF the opinion that
the Otto Company could get all the
y gas it wanted from the Wilmington Gas
and Electric Company at 81 a thousand
feet.
Mr.. johnson branded as a falsehood
a stateent made by Mr.. Crozier that
! he (Johnson) in an interview with him,
had asked Mr. Crozier If the latter
i would object to Mr.. Johnson going to
Mr.. George Capelle for advice in the
matter. Mr.. Crozier said he would
i swear to what he had said.
4 Nr Melvin then moved to grant the
Otto Company the franchise but his
motion was not seconded.Mr. Johnson
thereupon moved to indefinitely post
+ none action on the matter and Mr.. Car
ter voted with him. This motion was
I later reconsidered and a motion to lay
81 the franchise on the table adopted.
This leaves the matter open to be taken
I'D at any time Mr.. Crozier attempted
TO arrange for a conference between the
officials of the Otto Gas Company and
the Street and Sewer Directors but fall
4 ed.
Mr.. Sausbury's Suggestion.
Willard Salisbury sent an interesting
communication to the department to-
day in the matter of a gas franchise.
He states that the people of this city
feel that they can and should have
1 cheaper> rates, for public and private
lighting and suggest, as practical ar
rangement, that the city authorities, In
return for guarantee of six per cent
O nthe capital stock of a company, fix
the rates to be charged by the company
for furnishing light and power fol
both both public and private lighting
and have substantial representation in
the management of the company. Mr.
Saulsbury's letter follows:
d December 20, 1904.
The Honorable The Directors Of the
Street and Sewer Department.
Gentlemen: While, in common with
other citizens, 1 have been interested II
the proceedings concerning gas fran.
desired to get mixed up with that mat
ter. / am sure, however, the people OF
this city feel that the can and should
have cheaper rates for public and pri'
vate lighting. While there may be 9
division of opinion as to whether 9
municipal lighting plant should b'
tried, there Is no division of opinion
among disnterested persons that some
thing should be tried.
This has led me to talk the matter
over with several substantial citizens
whose opinions are in accord with m!
own. and write to you to suggest tina
it may be entirely feasible to obtain al
the practical advantages which mani
} festly attach to a municipal lighting
plant and at the same time avoi'
many features in the Management
thereof which have frequently proved
objectionable, by a practical arrange
ment with a company to be given tn
right for furnishing throughout tn
city electric light and power for boil
public lighting and commercial pur
poses.
The arrangement have in minl
would permit the city authorities in re
turn for a guarantee of six per cent. Of
the capital stock, to fix the rates to b
charged by the company for furnishin