Evening journal., 1911-10-25
Clashes Feature Franchise Hearing,
Further Action Goes Over TO Friday

Some interesting clashes occurred
during the hearing by Directors OF the
Street and Sewer Department yester-
day afternoon of persons for and
against the granting of franchise
to the Public Utilities Heat, Light and
Power Company following the noon
recess. The room was filled by many
prominent business men. Final &C
ton was deferred until Friday
morning after an all-afternoon ses-
sion. Prospectse do not seem bright
for the franchise being granted
Considerable discussion was given
the subject. the Board having pre-
pared a number of questions which
were asked of Edward Underhill. rep
resenting the new company; Oscar T..
Crosby. president of the Wilmington
and PHILADELPHIA Traction Company;
John e. Wallace. president OF the
Wilmington and New Castle Railway,
and Henry P. Scott, one OF the oirec-
tors Of the Traction Company.
In his statement at the hearing Mr..
Scott said he did not offer TO dispose
of the local line to +. Clarence Jones'
who owns the New Castle line. MT,
Scott also stated that Mr.. Jones saia
he would not put any money into this
state or in any railways.
This was denied by President Wal
lace. who said he did not believe H.
as he knew Mr.. Jones.
President Sparks and directors
Rudolph and Murphy all took an ac-
tive part in shooting questions at the
nersons appearing before the board
All had an equal part In the examh-
nation and bringing out OF intorma-
ton. Albert Massey, stenographer OF
the Court Of Chancery. took a stem
osraphic report of the days hear
ing.
After the directors opened the after
noon session. President Sparks asked
Attorney Josiah Marvel, of the Uul-
ties Company. II the company was
Incorporated He replied that 1t was,
but when asked who the corporators
were. he stated that there were three
men in his Office at the time, and he
could not call positively who they
were.
The directors asked II any capi-
ta1 had been invested, and he replied
only the necessary amount TO Sc
cure the incorporation papers"
Edward Underhill, representing the
new concern, was called and inform
ed by President Sparks that the Board
had the power 10 swear all witnesses
at hearings held by them After be-
ing put on oath. Mr.. Underhill was
asked II he intended TO build a plant
IN this city or elsewhere If he Sc
cured the franchise. Mr.. Underhtl
answered in the affirmative. He was
asked if seven cents would be the
maximum rate for current what the
minimum rate would be.
"That would depend on the public
support-the more business the lower
the rate" said Mr.. Underhill. He
said he did not know Of any method IN
law which would prevent a merger
with any other company.
The Board then put the question:
do you know of any similar method
which would prevent you buying OF
selling to any other company" TO
which he replied: 81 do not know.
MT. Marvel said that the question
was one for him TO answer, saying
that the Board had reached the wrone
conclusion. speaking continually Of
e 'rerq'ng. whereas The contracts tbs
new company expected TO make woulc
nor terminate by consolidation.
President Sharks then said; "Sup'
rose the Wilmington and Philadelphia
Traction Company would buy the
comnanv?" TO which Mr.. Marvel re.
piled that the long term contract
would hermit the consumers to re-
coive the current 1T the contract price
Some Figures Given.
Mr.. Underhill was asked what the
gross earnings o. the Wilmington and
philadelphia Traction Company
amounted to a year. He anawered that
he did not know. hut had heard re-
ports. He was asked by Director
Murphy n he did not saw that thew
amounted to between $3.50 600 ana
$500 600 ner annum. Mr.. UuderhOl
renlied, Il know, but l am under oath
now"
"Do you think this city would want
comnetition? ?" he was asked and re-
piled: Il do We think the consumn-
lion of electricity can be increased
100 per cent and the rate win be sc
low that we will compete with gas
We also think the time has arrived
when a better showing should be
made"
The Board asked: did you say
that II would be unwise TO enter into
contracts unless you received all ol
the business Of the city?' Mr.. Under
hill replied that he did not remember
having said it.
President Sparks remarked thai
Mr. Underhill had said so.
He was asked what he meant by be-
ing in operation within two years an6
he answered by saying that that de.
pended as TO where the contract:
we're first secured. adding, 81 do mo-
think the present company covers the
city"
President Sparks said that where
the city is built up. the present com
pany has covered it.
Mr.. Underhill was asked how hI
would make saving Of $25o.0 Z
year. and he replied that his estimat'
was based on 100000 kilowatts, a
two cents. which would be more.
He was asked: you speak of {
reduction of 30 per cent; do you NEAR
the user Of a large amount in an in
dustrial plant would save that?" HI
replied. "Yes." but said the old electric
war contract prices would not b