Evening journal., 1910-12-21
VMFN
HJJLHIUL i iTILiV
CAUSE A STIR
By Their Letter Asking Delay
in Action on the Electric
Franchise

Much interest has been aroused over
tho action of the seven Warrington
members of the Legislature In ad-
dressing 20 the street and Sewer di-
roctors a letter asking that action be
defe red on the proposed new fran
chisc for the Wilmington City Elec-
tric Company controlled by the VIII
mington and Philadelphia Traction
Company-until the full extent and
scope OF that franchise can be In
Quiied into.
Sentiment generally seems TO back
up the Assemhlymen, as there not
only seems to be a public impression
that there is something back of the
franchise" but there also Is dissatis-
faction over the boosting of cha -gee
for electricity.
Il is contended by some persons
that II the only object of the electric
company I'm asking for the franchise IS
TO include the provision fixing the
maximum rate at ten cents per kllo-
watt hour, then such an amendment
could be offered to the present fsan-
chise.
It is pointed out by some persons
that charges for electricity for light
ing purposes have been increased
more than 100 per cent. since the new
company assumed control One in
stance came 10 the attention OF tho
Wilmington Assemblymen the other
night of a raise Of i25 per cent being
made i'm the electric charges Of one
consumer.
At any rate, feeling seems to be
that the Street and Sewer Directors
, should 90 slow in acting ON the pro
posed franchise. and it is contendeo
that nothing will be lost Il subject
should be shelved until after the ses
sion of the Legislature at Dover. II
is said that bills will be introduced
at Dover TO regulate the charges fol
electricity and to enable the propel
authorities to examine the books ant
records OF public service corporation
70 determine whether the rates estab'
'lished are just or excessive.
Couldn't Get the Letter.
An attempt was made to-day by
reporter TO get a copy OF the lettc
sent by the Wilmington Assemblymer
to the Street and Sewer directors,wh
was considered privately yesterday
/ George W. Sparks, president of tn
Street and Sower Board said he hat
a no objection to making the letter pub
, lie, and said copy OF 1t could be oh
tained from Leslie Y. Christy, sccre
tary of the board. A reporter aske
Mr. Christy for q copy OF the letter
and he said that he had no objection
p TO giving a. out, but would not do S
: unless authorized by Mr.. Sparks IT
+ had not been authorized. Thus th
G letter addressed 10 members of "a pull
A lie body ON a public question whic
4 was considered privately still remain
/, private.
What Legislators say.
Represontative-elec Alfred
Moore. secretary OF the Wilmingto
delegation of Aascmblymen, last nigl
IS issued the following statement
Ie "Ihe delegation, at It's meeting la
10 Wednesday evening, discussed q
s.; matter very fully. The increase
d the rates of the Wilmington CIT
s. Electric Company having been n
4 subject of innumerable complaints
a the several members, it was unan
. nous opinion that the matter was
sufficient import to the city TO addrei
the communication to the Street an
% Sewer Department"
D Representative-elec Granville
. Alexander said that he agreed full
IT with what Mr. Moore had said, and !
IS added that # was the intention OF II
local members TO represent the publ
10 the best of their ability.
Senator 4. NJ. Monaghan and Repr
7. sontative-elect Harry I. ellis said n
"a members had been unanimous in the
= decision TO send the communicate
= to the Street and Sewer Department
le President Crosby, of the Wilmin
e ton and Philadelphia Traction Con
IL pany. said this morning that a full e.
he planatiOn of the desired action of q
ot street and Sewer Department ON q
" company's franchise VIII be issu'
N within q few days.