Evening journal., 1911-10-31
AGAIN DEFER ACTION
ON LIGHT FRANCHISE
j. w. Wall Succeeds Mr.. UnderhM as Representa-
five of Public Utilities Company---New Prop
osifions TO be Submitted Friday.

ciently evident 10 require no demon-
stration and ] regret that the matter
mas developed personalities.
Il think everyone cognlzant Of
affairs VIII agree that the treatment
accorded me in Delaware, in my ef-
fort to improve and cheaper the ex-
listing railroad facilities between Will
mlngton and New Castle, has been far
from cordial and that my efforts to do
so have been opposed at every point.
AS an illustration OF my attitude |
would cite that when the negotiations
of the present monopoly were under
way Mr.. Wallace. at the suggestion of
Mr. Rigg, inquired whether we would
not like to lease the Wilmington City
Railway and other companies. etc.
and that ample opportunity would be
offered US to do So
IL took the position that we should
not enter negotiations which we had
not originated. and as I understood
the newspapers had stated that Wa
were considering the matter and that
the interests represented by the ]. G..
White Company had been disturbed
thereby, I sent the bearer of this let-
ter. w. ]. Wall. to the j. G. White
Company to say that any statements
that We were in any way interested in
the negotiations, were unfounded and
to disregard them.
u. G.. White. whom first attempted
TO communicate with by telephone TO
this effect. was absent from the city,
and for this reason I sent Mr.. Wall
to them, with this assurance.
After this evidence OF friendly feel-
ing ! WAS greatly surprised TO be told
that these interests had been opposing
our plans for bettering the public SER
vice In Delaware and I only cite this
as indicating my disposition and by
way OF comparison with the treatment
| have received.
"Since acquiring the Wilmington
and New Castle Electric Railway at
| foreclosure, after having been fought
for several years through the courts
and every obstacle set up TO prevent
my obtaining possession of what was
Justly mine. | have been frequently
visited and communicated with bv
various people who have wished 70
secure prices on the property with 4
view OF extending or consolidatinI
Il with their properties. / reQueHtel
Mr.. Underhill to visit Wilmington an
ascertain the facts regarding anothe
4 property there. not wishing Mr.. We
L lace TO be diverted from his dutiol
: Later he suggested TO me the desira
bility Of going IN the electric lightin
p business and acquiring some othe
= properties. and in line with his sug
e gestion I told him that II he secured
satisfactory electric lighting fran
} chise. the Wilmington Southern Trac-
tion Company would form part OF
} such a consolidation.
} This is the entire history OF the
, matter and / have asked Mr.. Wall to
, state TO you that Mr.. Underhill has
withdrawn from the situation and "a
say that I'm my opinion there exists nc
good reason for refusing TO grant the
franchise, which has been drawn 70
safeguard to your citizens the possi-
bility OF its being consolidated with
the existing monopoly. and we intend
to continue our efforts until IL is
granted. believing that at present II
may not be fully appreciated nor un.
derstood.
II now expect that the opposition
which has continuously opposed every
effort ] have made TO improve transit
! facilities. will continue 10 oppose and
> tConunued on Second Page)