Evening journal., 1910-12-23
GIVES SIDE OF
ELECTRIC co.
lContlnned from Flret Page.l }

pany Its present transmission sys-
tcm is quite extensive, but is not as
large as that of the Wilmington City
Electric Company. II has no con-
tract for street lighting. In oper-
ating under the general consent above
mentioned, this company habitually
obtains, before establishing any par
! ticular piece OF new construction, d
permit from the Street and Sewer
Department.
Throughout the United States it is
recognized that companies having
general rights TO occupy the streets
must, nevertheless, obtain special per-
mits embodying the regulations then
existing, of the proper public authori-
ties IN control Of the streets. The
general consent which they may have
obtained applies only to preventing
the public authorities from declaring,
without any good reason whatever,
that extensions asked for shall not
be made.
IL does not permit an absolutely
unrestricted right to use the street.
The substance of the matter is that
such general consent having been OBJ
tanned by the company, the public
authorities will ordinarily permit tho
occupancy Of the street under reason
able regulations, and unless some
sound objection, which a court would
recognize as sound. supervenes IN the
case of any particular application for
/ extensions.
Both of the above named companies
arc leased TO the Wilmington and
( Philadelphia Traction Company. This
latter company owns substantially all
of the stock of the Wilmington Light
and Power Company in addition to be-
ing its lessee.
IL is not now feasible to merge these
two properties into the ownership Of
one company. This would be a de-
sirable state Of affairs, but until IL can
be brought about the two companies
must be maintained In seperate exist
ence and the extensions Of their lines
must be duly recorded as being the
property Of one or the other
Since the Wilmington City Electric
Company has, alone, the contract for
electric street lighting. and since its
general distribution system is greater
Than that OF the other company, IL Is
necessary. in looking TO the future. to
raise the larger portion of the electric
lighting funds on the credit OF the
Wilmington City Electric Company.
An opportunity to raise S35O,0 OF
new money for the extension and bet
torment OF It's plant has been found.
ln order, however, 10 take advantage
OF this opportunity, IL is desirable that
this company should be placed In tho
same legal status as the Wilmington
. Light and Power Company is placed
II a ruN N.l.u
should have not only the enjoyment
OF large existing plant and trans
mission system such as II now pos
aesses, but should have subject to The
issue OF specific permits according TO
general regulations, the legal, as we'll
as equitable right to extend fits system
as the city grows.
Through its control of the Whining
ton Light aud Power Company, the
Wilmington and Philadelphia Traction
Company has all Of the privileges and
Is subject to all of the obligations
which the pending resolution woul6
establish in respect to the Whining
ton City Electric Company.
II passed the resolution would ac-
compllsh the following results:
a. IL would unity the relations ex-
isting between the city and all Of the
: electric light lines now controlled by
the Wilmington and Philadelphia
Traction Company, these relations
= now being diverse.
b. IL would facilitate the raising
OF money for the betterment and OK
tension OF the Wilmington City Elec-
trio Company's plant
c. IL would introduce limitations ia
regard TO the uso Of the present lines
p OF the Wilmington City Electric Com
pany which do not now exist.
d. Il would prevent any future
management, possibly differing IN pol
10y from the present management
{ from charging such rates as are com.
, mon in many American cities.
The resolution as prepared fixes II
cents per XIV. hour as a Limitation
ngure for the sale OF current by the
Wilmington City Electric Company
this being the figure appearing in the
Wilmington Light and Power fran.
ehise, whereas no Limitation now ex,
lists, resting upon the Wilmington Cit,
Electric Company. II Is now yolun.
tarily adopted for business on tb,
lines OF that company.
Concerning the matter OF this rat,
the following facts should be set forh
First The maximum rate fixed b,
the franchise o. by the free determi
I nation Of an electric light compan,
n, does not alone determine the averag,
rate which Il receives from the sal,
OF its current.
Second. This maximum rate usual
" applies only 10 relatively small tax
lngs Of current. The average receive,
by any company being much less tia,
the maximum
Third As any customer extends
his taking OF current, particularly a
be extends il beyond the rush hour
IS for electric current. just after sunset
he obtains lower rate than thl