Evening journal., 1907-06-13
SWAP PARK LEASE
FOR WATER RIGHT
ih.S tha LaseSt Msge in D la
ware Vat r Co. Fight
lO' franchise
PARK COMMISSION WILLING

The Board OF Water Commission
yesterday afternoon suggested a
method for adjusting the trouble be-
tween the Delaware Water Company,
q Pennsylvania Railroad subsidiary,
and TIE Street and Sewer Department
over the right Of the water compm,
20 lay mains in certain streets OF the
rity. II is to allow the company the
desired franchise in exchange FOR a
ten years lease on the railroad com-
pany's property, facing the Christiana
river between Third and Fourth
streets. which the Park Commission
desires fer a park. M. Baynarl sniq
be understood such an arrangement
would be satisfactory 10 an persons
concerned. and the executive comma,
zee Of the Park Commission win now
take the matter 10 officially with the
railroad company
Company Once Field Up
Several years ago the Delaware
Water Company planned to carry
water from Bnford Lake near Chris
tlana. TO It's ShellDoy reservoir by
means Of conduit. which would, neces
sarily. have TO be laid across certain
streets of the city. Tho Street anu
Sewer Department. az the suggestion
OF the Water Department, denied the
company the desired franchise on the
ground that Il was a rrivate corpora
tion that would compete with the city
in the water business.
Notwithstanding this refusal the
water company proceeded 20 dig up
city streets. and clash between the
company and the city resulted. Since
that time the water company has made
no move in the matter.
Now. Il appears, that the railroad
company. acting for the water com-
pany. is again anxious 20 obtain the
water franchise and ln exchange for
Il viii give the city a 1o-year lease on
The land along the chrlstiana river,
which the city desires Tor park pur-
poses. and will renew the lease after
that period. provided the company
has no real use for the land then. The
Park Commission IS favorable TO the
plan of settlement. and win urge that
81 re carried out.
Feeling Against Them.
There IS a feeling. however, that the
franchise should not be granted on the
terms as outlined. TIE company now
pays The city about $4,000 In water
rent annually, and V Is contended that
should the city grant the company rs
desired franchise this revenue would
be so materially reduced that tho CITY
would suffer rather than benefit, 10 tnc
extent of a leased park plot for its
valuable privilege u,4 .t3
It was pointed out tn-day that tho
land dcsirod Tor a park is assessed az
about Sso0o0 The railroad company
would save from $4,000 TO $4,000 "a
wear IN water rents. now paid 20 tho
CITY. 70 tho Delaware water COMPANY
IS given Us franchise. and 1t would re-
ouire but the savings OF water rents
for three wears TO make up the assess-
ed value of the plot az Third and
Bridge streets.
Under these condltlorS many persons
are Of the opinion thar the railroad
company would mako good bargain
hv giving to'the city the land between
Third and Fourth streets along the
Christiana in return for franchise
for the water company, as the CONE
pany would be saving $4,000 year in
return for giving away land appraised
at $4,000. 1t also Is pointed out that
lf the city merely gets lease on the
land 81 will have TO he surrendered
ten wears hence. and ;he east side
would he as bad off as ever for a park.