Evening journal., 1911-01-21
ASKS MR.. CROSBY
SOME QUESTIONS
John 5. Hamilton Discusses
the Electric Situation
in This City

mington City Electric Company has
been postponed for four weeks.
Meanwhile the people are as much
in the dark as TO the real issues at
stake as ever. The man Is blind indeed
who cannot see the rising tide against
over capitalization that is now at its
flood In this city, and I'm the country at
large. The writer is not one OF those
who has recently had his attention
drawn TO this matter by his increased
lighting or power bills, for while they
have advanced they are so small in
his case as 10 really be a negligible
quantity Neither does the writer enter
into the discussion at this time be-
cause OF the poor service on the trolley
cars during the rush hours OF the
morning and evening, although this
sometimes makes his blood boil when
he sees men and women dumped into
cars regardless of humanity or de-
cency like cells in a live trap.
The whole issue, as the writer sees
It, can be embraced in a very few
words. namely:
"How much are the properties in the
possession of, or held by the Whining
ton and Philadelphia Traction Com
pany. independent OF the franchises,
worth or how much would IL take to
replace them?
''How much are the properties IN the
possession of, or held by the Whining
ton and Philadelphia Traction Com
pany capitalized for?"
Around these two plain simple ques-
lions, MIR. Editor revolves the entire
system of imposition and outrage, OF
which the people OF Wilmington at last
have been compelled TO take notice
and for which the writer believes they
will find an equitable solution.
Il will not do to find fault with Mr
| Crosby for increasing the rates. The
writer is satisfied from what he car
learn. that Mr.. Crosby had to increase
the rates In order to meet the respon'
sibilities which he assumed when h'
perfected the recent combination
Il Is stated on good authority thai
! Mr.. Crosby's company has assumed
the responsibility of paying in inter
ests and leases S450,000 a year. VII
mfhgton has debt Of upwards o
three millions and can borrow none.
at a maximum rate OF 4 1-2 per cent
H. will be seen therefore at glance
that at the rate Wilmington pays MI
Crosby has assumed a responsibility
equivalent to a value of S1O,000,0OO
Perhaps the statement OF responsi
bility here made is an erroneous on
and If so the writer will be glad
Mr.. Crosby will correct IL. The write
would also like to put to Mr.. Crosb
few questions which are asked 4
good faith.
How much is charged against Oh
Wilmington City Railway Company o
the books of the Wilmington and Phi
adelphia Traction Company, and ho'
much would you say. Mr.. Crosby, as
man familiar with railways, their col
struct!on and operation. would II tai
to replace this property always elm
mating the matter of franchise,
How much is charged against q
/ Wilmington City Electric Company
the books Of the Wilmington and Phi
adelphia Traction Company and no
much would you say, Mr.. Crosby as
man familiar with electric lighting an
power plants their construction an
operation would Il take to replace tn
property always eliminating the ma
ter Of franchise?
How much is charged against q
Wilmington Light, Heat. Power an
Telephone Company on the books
the Wilmington and Philadelphia Ira
ton Company and how much wou
you say. Mr.. Crosby. as man famili'
with the construction and operation
electric lighting and power plan
would Il take to replace this propert
always eliminating the matter OF fra
chise?
is not either the plant of the w
mington City Electric Company, or q
Wilmington Light, Heat. Power al
Telephone Company competent 10 su
ply any demand for power or lightil
likely TO be made in Wilmington I
: some years to come?
If one OF these companies is col
J petent is Il not an imposition TO expe
4 TO collect from the people of Wilmin
d ton interest on the value Of the seco
plant even though Il is not oyer-ca
y italized and for which there is rea
no necessity?
Do you not think. z s president OF
Wilmington and Philadelphia Tractl
Company that Il is unreasonable
! YOU TO ask privileges for compa
\ on which you have a lease when
4 are already in possession OF the
, privileges by virtue of your compan
& ownership of the Wilmington Lig
y Heat. Power and Telephone COmpan
4 Admitting that the granting OF q
d franchise would increase the value
the Wilmington City Electric Co
y pany, which you only lease, don't y
y believe It will commensurately inJI
n the value OF the Wilmington Lig
= Heat. Power and Telephone Compa
4 which you own and which Is now
ID possession of a monopoly?
4 Looking at Il from this point
q view, Mr.. Crosby. don't you think
Street and Sewer Directors wo
really be doing the owners of va
u able franchise, which is practically
"a monopoly, an injury by granting
y another company these valuable rig
. and thus destroying the monopoly
y The writer thinks there is someth
q peculiar about this whole matter.
n is opposed to granting this trancn
& now because he believes public serV
81 corporations as he knows them
y rs they are now organized ana c
~ Quoted, are at war with good COVE
y ment and the two things cannot e.
u in the same place at the same time.
a the writer, believes that good COVE
u ment will win. Guizot says: "lniqt
n DESTROYS order and then re-establis
& it,. and It is gratifying and interest
- TO watch demonstration of the '
y dom and truth of this saying whicl
q now going on In this country.
a There is nothing TO be said aga