Evening journal., 1905-10-10
DIRECTORS FAVOR
STREET VACATION
Recommend That Court Of
General Sessions Name
a Commission
FAVOR WIDENING TENTH STREET

y
At this mornings meeting Of the street
and Sewer Department the directors In
dorsed the resolutions adopted ny the
Board OF Trade at SIS meeting last night,
regarding the vacation of Water street
from the east side Of French street to
the west side Of Poplar street for the use
Of the r., B. q W. Railroad Company,
and recommended By unanimous vote
that the Court OK General Sessions APP
point a commission to vacate the street
and assess damages to the railroad COM
pany.
In urging the vacation OF Water street
between the points named Mr.. Gray said
that the railroad company could get along
without the bed Of that thoroughfare. but
the new station would look like a way
station compared with the one that the
company would erect should the street
be vacated.
Not only was this az act. he said but
another Important feature would be that
people desiring TO board trains would not
have to cross the tracks IN order TO do
so rs alterations would be made In tho
plans whereby this would be obviated.
The present proposition. Mr.. Gray said
was TO build a station 200 feet in length
and about 1866 feet IN width II these
plans were carried out the structure
would cost $4,000 more than the one ori-
ginally Intended.
w. w. Lobden spoke In favor Of tho
closing Of Water street between the
points named and stated that In an inter-
view with Mr.. Cassatt. president OF the
Pennsylvania Railroad Company. the lat
ter had said to him that It was the in
tention of the company If possible to
erect IN Wilmington one OF the finest sta
tions along the road Mr.. LObdell further
stated that Thomas N. Savery, president
Of the Pusey a Jones Company was in
favor OF the closing Of the street as sug-
gcsted.
William Lawton also spoke strongly in
favor Of closing the street and cited cases
IN which great benefit had been given to
the city by such action. He said ho had
never known Of a street which had been
closed that did not result eventually in
public good
Mr. Gray called attention 70 the action
Of the railroad company in abolishing
grade crossings and said that IN many
instances municipalities had contributed d
20 the cost OF such work The Pennayl-
vania Railroad. however, had borne the
expense ITSELF
Christopher pfrommer presented a PEE
titlon 10 the directors which was signed
by thirty-elght property owners. three OF
whom owned property along Water
street. The petitioners objected 10 the
proposed vacation of the street in qucs-
tion and prayed thnt the directors would
not recommend such proceedings. Josiah
Marvel represented the petitioners but
was unable 20 be present at today 5
meeting.
In opposing the proposition Mr.. Pfrom-
mer said that he did not believe IN al
lowing the railroad company to have any
more privileges than an ordinary citizen.
II he desired to extend his property for
his Individual benefit he would have TO
pay for 1t. In response TO a question
from Mr.. johnson as TO whether he would
give up Vaiuoless piece OF property own
cd by him for a nominal sum when by
doing so he would assist In a public ben
ent. Mr.. Pfrommer replied: 'Td study a
while before I'd give II up TO rich cor
/ poration like the railroad"
{ Colonel Enoch Moore. for four years a
t member OF the department, strongly urg-
ed that the board take favorable action
, on the subject.
Before the recommendation was passed
) Mr. Gray Informed Mr.. Pfrommer that
& there would be a day set by the Court Of
2 General Sessions 10 hear petitions why
such street should not be closed and il
, the street was ordered closed then the
{ court would award such damages al
might be fixed by a vacation commission
! before said street is shut on. Both Mr..
b I.obden and Colonel Moore congratulated
the directors on their action and said that
{ they felt sure that It would meet the ap-
/ proval Of the public.
Andrew c. Gray stated that on behalf
Of the railroad company he assure th'
directors that the company would stand
for all damages which might accrue from
the closing of the street.
WANTS TO EXTEND ROAD.
The following petition was presented b.
/. Harry l.. Evans, president Of the WI
mington. New Castle and Southern Rail
way:
'To the Members of the Street and Sewe
5 Department
: Gentlemen: on behalf Of this compan,
i. ! hereby make application TO you for th'
!. right to extend its proposed railway from
r, Market and Water streets in the city Of
r Wilmington along Water street to French
r thence southerly along French street &c
|. the Christiana river.
n This application is made to secure ter
s minal convenient to our passengers ad.
Q. joining the new station Of the p. b. &
w. railroad about 10 be erected and WI
l. believe viii be possible TO operate salts.
m factority as soon as the elevated railroad
le Of said railroad company is completed
: Upon motion Of Directory Gray the sec
T. retary was instructed to request the city
y solicitor TO draw up a petition to the res
ident judge. requesting him TO appoint q
- commission TO condemn Tenth street &c
/, the width Of q feet from Market street
: to Pinketts Court. This is asked by ths
v DUPONT Company for the purpose OF
. erecting its office building.