The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1905-05-30
Injunction Proceedings Against Mayor
viii be Pressed.
Leaders of the Organization Will Make
Determined Effort to Have tic
Injunction Made Permanent-Pres-
itlcnt Of the Gas Company Withdrew
His Bid Yesterday. Stating That
IIis Action Was Taken On Account
OF Notifications to the Original
Lease and to the Opposition on tho
Part of the People.

PHILADELPHIA Nav 2..-After a con-
test lasting five davs. the Republican
organiZation," lead by Insurance
Commissioner Israel w. Durham. was
forced today by public opposition and
clamor. to abandon its efforts to ex-
tend the lease of the City Gas Works
to the United Gas Improvement Com
paay for IS years. Thomas Dolan.
president of the company. today for
warded a formal letter to the presi-
dents Of the select and common
branches of city councils. withdrawing
his proposition to advance the city
s2s.0t0.o00 in consideration of the
extension Of the lease which the com
Dany now holds. This action was
taken after a protracted conference
With Commissioner Durham. State
Senator McNichol and Select Council
man Charles Seger. who presented the
gas lease resolutions In councils.
The withdrawal of the United Gas
Improvement COmpany's offer is un-
doubtedly a signal victory for Mayor
Weaver in his fight with the "organi-
za-ion." though it does not mean the
end of the battle. The Injunction
former director Of public safety. and
Peter e. Costello. former director OF
public works. against Mayor Weaver
and their successors. Colonel Sheldon
Potter and A. Lincoln Acker. to re-
strain the mayors appointees from
conducting the affairs of the two de-
partments. is still to come up on argu-
ment and the leaders will make de-
termined effort to have a temporary
In, 1unctiOn rnada narmananf
Since last Tuesday. when the mayor
created the first sensation by ousting
Directors Smythe and Costello. and
appointing their successors. great
pressure has been brought to bear
unon the councilmen by both sides.
and the organization" leaders have
steadily maintained confidence III their
ability to have the gas lease passed
over the mayors veto. Popular op-
position became so pronounced how
ever. that one by one. members of
councils who originally voted for the
lease. began to show a disposition to
accede to the wishes of their constitu-
ers. and today with almost a week
Intervening before the lease should
como uE far final action. the mayor
required only seven votes in select
council. and ten in common council
tn sustain his veto.
It became evident that the leaders
Were losing control of councils. but
they were saved from putting their
strength to the direct test when the
United States Gas Improvement COM
panv withdrew it's bid. Commissioned
Durham. State Senator McNichol and
Councilman Seger. held a two hours
conference with President Dolen with
the result that the company officially
assumed the responsibility of with
drawing the lease.
NJ Dolen's letter to councils states
that the notifications to the original
lease. reducing the price of gas. were
not IN accord with the offer of the
COMPANY. but that they would have
been accepted. Owing to the opposi-
tion IN the part of the people. how
ev-r Mr.. Dolen's letter stated. the
company was unwilling to enter int.i
any contract with the city looking to
anv variation of Its present lease.