Evening journal., 1907-12-24
TAKE CONDITIONS
FROM FRANCHISE
Delaware Electric transmits
sion Company Gets Relief
From S. & 5. Directors

The resolution presented at the pre-
.ceeding meeting of the Board Of Street
and Sewer Directors, removing the re-
strictions of the franchise of the Della
ware Electric Transmission Company
was passed by the board this morning,
Director Sparks voting in the negative
and President Melvin and Director
Gray In the affirmative.
Former Senator Anthony Higgins ap-
peared for the company. The company
was required by its original franchise
to furnish electric power to the city
andthe public at certain rates. The
financial depression has crippled its
means Of obtaining water power. it is
contended. and the company requested
that the rates stipulated under its
franchise could be complied with only
on the condition that it could supply
electricity by water power
The company desires to bid for the
city lighting. bios for which will soon
be opened unrestricted by the pro-
visions Of it's franchise, for such time
as # will be required TO get its power
from steam or gas.
The request was opposed at the pre-
ceding meeting by Mr.. Sparks on the
ground that il was too sudden" This
morning he was still opposed to the
removal Of the restrictions on the fran
chise, and made a statement Of his
reasons for his opposition, chief Of
which was that there was no assurance
that the company will ever obtain cur
rent from water power, and that there
would be no incentive to obtain water
power II all considerations were elm
mated. In commenting on a paragraph
of the companys franchise by which
il agrees to pay the city three per cent.
on gross earnings from receipts other
than those obtained from the city. Mr..
Sparks said:
Why eliminate this from an en-
bryonic company when one already es-
tahlished and running by steam power
IS required by les franchise to pay
two per cent Of its gross receipts 70
/ the city. DO VIC need another COM
pany so badly as to work this inJus-
iice ON an operating company2
In closing Mr.. SPARKS said:
/ Mr. President, 7 am opposed 20 Civ
1 ing any public franchises in a city
Of over 10000 people and I believe
that the large majority of the citi-
zens of Wilmington are Of the same
opinion 1t may be necessary i'm small
towns in order to establish public SER
vice enterprises but never IN town
with competitive companies in exist
ence.
have sought interviews and been
sought by many people of an walks
of life during the past week and have
vet the 6rst person to ask or suggest
that support this resolution. but TO
tho contrary they have almost To a
Imam deprecated its passage.
IT am trying to fulhl the win Of the
people to do for them what in my humble
Judgment seems best and whatever my
personal views might have been at any
previous time my canvass of sentiment
I has been such that there is but one
course for me TO pursue. ! must vote in
the negative"
Mr.. Higgins asserted that the COM
pany asked for no privilege but mere
" wished to be put in a position Of
equality with the other companies that
viii bi for the city lighting
Mr.. Gray declared that he could see
no harm in letting in an additional bid
der and moved that the resolution be
passed, which was done.