Evening journal., 1906-09-12
COMMERCIAL
READY TO PAY UP
Power Project on Sugque-
hanna River Progressing
anu Can Be Inspected
CITY WILL GET ITS MONEY
SAYS Mr.. HIGGINS

zone of the greatest things that ever
was c1ered to Wilmington" is the en-
thus,astic phrase applied to the plan Of
the Commercial Light. Heat and Power
Company, by those who have been fol-
lowing its workings.
John Gray. one of the Street and Sewer
Commissioners who voted for the grant
ing Of the franchise, declared that this
was the first time in the history of VIII
mington that anything like a value has
been placed on franchise to a public
utility corporation. "The value placed on
the franchise exclusive Of the three per
cent on the gross receipts for the sale
Of electricity is a taxation on a value Of
Sl,5OOOu0, said Mr. Gray this morning.
They have certain conditions to fulfil
before their franchise is operative in
full, and these are more than have been
demanded Of any company in this city
ever before. If they do not pay the $4,000
as provided for and spend 100000 in equip
ment within a year from the time the
franchise and the city loses nothing. 1
am confident that the Commercial Light
Heat and Power Company can meet it's
obligations promptly. The crowd behind it
is good for any amount"
Power Project Real.
Anthony Higgins. counsel for the Com
mercial Company when seen this morning
said that there was nothing TO be said
for publication about the company at
this time. There has been no reorganiza-
tion for proper reasons but the plans of
the company are being perfected and
when the time comes it will meet every
term of its franchise.
The S12,500 which was to be the first
payment on account of the franchise win
be ready at the proper time. The project
is a real project and the undertaking
along the lines Of furnishing electric
power is being pushed to completion. A
great city Of workmen is busy at the Sus-
quehanna Power Company's operation al
Connewingo. Work is going on as fast as
q can be pushed AT this place a dam is
Deing constructed which will generate Co.
900 horsepower. and it is this great power
which is to be transmitted into electric
current and conveyed to Wilmington al
at rate of cents per kiiowatt hour tc
the city of Wilmington.
In addition to this ninety-cent gas {,
guaranteed by the Commercial Company
and its guarantee is backed by an ex-
penditure Of 100000 in hard cash within
a year upon a plant for that purpose r
this citv
Mr. Higgins personally has visited th'
operation of the power company on tho
Susquehanna, as did also Commissionel
Gray. Both are enthusiastic over tn,
reality Of the enterprise and the genuine
ness Of the Commercials ability to dc
what it has agreed.
Cash Will Talk.
'The best test Of this whole matter vii
be when the money talks" said one of tn,
present officers Of the company. Som,
people must see the cash before they be
lieve and the cash is forthcoming az
agreed"
Within forty days at least a check fo
sl2,5oO. the first of four payments agree,
upon to be made by the company to thi
city will be at the disposal of the city o
Wilmington and the question will not b,
whether the Commercial Company is
sound financial enterprise or not, bu
how to spend the money