Evening journal., 1911-07-08
new CASTLE
MEWC NnTEC
VLWS VUIEJ
Town VIII Test Validity Of
Light and Water Com
pany Contract
ACTION DECIDED ON
AT TOWN MEETING

Special to THE EVENING JOURNAL
NEW CASTLE, July SIN the
Town Hall last night many citizens
attended the citizens meeting to con-
slider the light and water subject. John
H. Rodney presented the following re-
port:
The undersigned, a committee ap-
pointed at a town meeting to take
into consideration the question Of
lights and water with the Delaware
Water Improvement Company. re-
port.
That in order to afford time for
properly considering the matter, an
arrangement was entered into with the
company for a continuance Of the
light service for "A period of 80 days
from June 7th
The majority Of the committee
thought that a question might be rails
cd whether or not the contract had
been broken by the company by reason
of its failure TO supply lights from
June 1st 10 June 7th.
subsequently this committee with
Messrs, Stoops. Speicher and Palmer
the light committee of City Council
met the representatives of the said
company, and, after a proTacted dis.
cussion, asked the company to submit
G) At what price the whole system OF
both companies could he bought, and
(2l Whether any and what modiica
tion of the present contract could be
made looking toward the lesseninf
of the time Of the same and also th'
price Of the fire plugs and lights. II
response TO these inquiries the fol
lowing letter was received:
Wilmington, Del. June q, 1911.
mir. John H. Rodney, Chairman,
New Castle, Del
NV Dear Sir:-At a meeting o
the Citizens Committee and Ligh
Committee of Council held at New
Castle on the 18th of this month tn
Delaware Water Improvement Com
pany was requested to submit pric
for which they would be willing to sci
their electric light and water plan
to the city I have a letter from tn
Delaware Water Improvement Com
pany instructing me to say that the
will take for the plant what it cos
them which is s22 10000 subjected
a bonded Indebtedness of S125 .O'
This. of course, means the propert
will he turned over TO the city with
out debt evcept the aforementiont
bonded Indebtedness.
"The company also saws IN its lei
ter that it will take up the matter {
changing the lighting of the streets
little later, after they have heard frol
the city on the above proposition
VIII you kindly take the matter u
~ 1rA hna
from you at your convenience.
Yours very truly,
ct r. Heisel.
ATTY for Del. Water Imp c
"As this refers only to one con
pany, namely, the Delaware Water In
provement Company IL was not in r
Spouse to our inquiry. Deeming tn
no arrangement was possible upon Il
basis Of this letter we requested
specific answer to the second inquii
made by US and, after long delay. r
ceived the following from the attorn'
of the said company, the letter beiI
addressed to him.
Reading. Pa, July 1, 1911.
T. b Heisel, Esq. Attorneys La
Ford Building, Wilmington, Del
Dear Sir-Your letter received
reference to the electric light al
water plant at New Castle. We a
sorry to say We cannot see our vi
clear to enter into a new contract
changing the lights. unless we ha
the old account settled up both pri
cipal and interest in a more satisfa
tory way than they are at this time.
they feel friendly towards us we a
willing to come over some time ne
week and see whether We can get
gether on the past before We talk
future / wish that you would perso
ally see them and urge them to ma
settlement with us and this would p
us in a better shape to make n'
contract
Very truly yours,
H. z. Ahrens, President.
This we take to be a positive refus
to discuss any such matter unless
arrearage account between the G
and the company is settled, and ev
then, no definite promise is made
The committee are of the opini
that the purchase price Of the pla
is beyond any possibility Of consider
tion, and that the refusal of the Wal
Company to make any other propo
tion leaves the question as unsettled
before and of course awaiting the
ton Of the City Council, as this co
mittee had no power to act but only
procure the information. 1t woi
seem, however, that but one of t
courses are open. ID Either to C
tinue the contract as IL is, or CD Tia
steps to test its validity and bind
force.
The committee regrets the de
that has occurred in submitting
report. but it will be observed that
answer of the company to our last
quiry was only received on July
Tho committee met the same even
y, to consider this report which is n
submitted. (Signed)
\ 2 John H. Rodney. John r. Lambs
l William ]. Ferris. James T. Elias
William Deakyne, Committee
Upon motion of John J. Sherid
the report was received. the commit
discharged and Council requested
test the validity of the contract
tween the city and the company.
It may be a long litigation and
doubt will be costly.
City Council held a special meet
last evening and broke the desdlC
by electing George Allen Smith, Z
collector.
Council was obliged to meet in s
cial session as under the charter
collector had to be named before
night Mr.. Smith has ten days
which IN bond