Evening journal., 1911-10-27
DEFER FINAL ACTION
ON LIGHT FRAN CHISE
Mr.. Marvel Says Situation May Be Cleared, AffeI
Conference With E. Clarence Jones---May
Withdraw Application

Directors OF the Street and Sewer
Department finished their hearing on
the application of the Public Utilities
Light, Heat and Power Company.
They deferred final action on the ap-
plication until Tuesday morning. at
the request of Josiah Marvel, OF cOun-
sci for the company. IL the franchise
all probability It will be refused
unanimously by the Board.
Mr. Marvel in asking a continuance
until Tuesday said he was to have a
conference with h. Clarence Jones, of
New York, who is back of the fran
chise application. ard the result Of
the conference might simplify the sit
uation very much on Tuesday.
This was taken by some as an in
tlmation that Mr.. Marvel might with
draw the application as a result OF
lis conference with Mr.. Jones. Mr..
Marvel declined TO make any state
ment on this point.
When the hearing opened. Josiah
Marvel, counsel, was the only repre-
sentative of the Public Utilities Com
pany present, but the Wilmington and
Philadelphia Traction Company was
represented by John r. Neary, OF
counsel. President Crosby, General
Manager Heindle and Superintendent
OFT, Henry p. Scott, a director of the
/ Traction Company, came In later. Ed
ward Underhill, representative of the
Public Utilities Company, was not
present
Mr.. Marvel was asked by tho Board
II he had any further applications oI
| communications for the Board, and he
said not at that time.
Secretary Christy said he had re
ceived a letter from Willard Sauls
bury opposing the new franchise ap
plication and declaring for regulation
of the present company or for compe
tition II II could not be regulated.
Some Of the others In the room in
cluded George A. Elliott, Hamilton
Stewart. Andrew l.. Johnson and Je
rome b. Bell.
More Letters Oppose.
I Letters opposing the franchise ais
we're read from Charles A. Fell, jewel
er; DR.. +. G. Smith. George A Rhoadl
, OF Rhoads and Son; NJ T. loft, Ly
Thomas, Bond Bottle Sealing Con
pany. Joseph Bancroft and o.
j, Purdy.
Il President Sparks then addressed N
Crosby Of the Traction Company. sa
- ing: I'VE have been criticised, pro
q ably justly IN that we asked Mr. U
J. dcrhill a question the other day \
- did not ask you. IL was our intenti
:. to have the questions Synonymous
q 10th sides" Mr. Sparks said the que
tion related to the writing Of letters
+ the Board regarding the franchise
e. did you dictate or inspire the di
S tation OF any letters opposing the fra
r. chise?" Mr.. Crosby was asked.
1 I'VE have asked that letters be wri
I. ten" Mr. Crosby replied.
h I'VE didn't ask that, Mr.. Sparks Il
a terrupted
q II want to be careful what ! say, ;
o what / say will be repeated I'm sta
r marked advertisements I'm the new
a papers" said President Crosby. "Tl
. writer's OF letters that have been pr
A sented to you are In considerable pa
!. unknown TO me-" Mr.. Crosby adde
that a number Of the letters had bee
/, suggested 10 be written by employs
: Of the Traction Company, and he sa
that employees Of the company had SUI
! gested information or material 4
some OF the letters. "But l do m
know that any has dictated to be wri
ten. but many Of them were asked
Z write letters" Mr.. Crosby said he d
, sired his statement TO be fully unde
\, stood
y President Sparks remarked III