Evening journal., 1913-08-05
COMMISSION
DISCUSSES
MINUTES
Th'S TIE Only Work Of UtiIi-
ties Beard Until MCMuIlen
Appointment is Confirmed
NEED MONEY TO
CARRY OUT PLANS


noon. both c. Frederick Bacher the
retiring member OF the board. and his
successor. Richard c. McMulen. were
present Mr.. Bachers term expired
on July 81. and the question arose
before the meeting whether he was
legally entitled to a scat in the meet
ing in view OF the fact that the ap-
pointmont OF Mr. McMullon. though
regularly appointed by the Mayor. has
not yet been approved by City Council
Tho question was settled when j..
jackson Peirce. president of the
board reported that he had spoken
TO City Solicitor Daniel o. Hastings
on the subject and obtained the opin-
ion that Mr. Bacher was entitled 10
his scat until Mr.. McMullen's appoint
ment was confirmed. He further said
Mr.. Hastings suggested that the
minutes be read and approved and ad-
iournment taken until next Friday, by
which time II is expected that Coun-
Gil will approve Mr. McMullen's ap-
pointment on Thursday night. This
suggestion was followed though IL
Vas decided TO meet next Tuesday az
tsrnoon az o'clock. more convent
eai time for the members
The reading of the minutes was In
terrupted from time 10 time for dis
cussion of some of the things that
had been done and which we're brought
cut in the minutes. One OF the things
discussed was the matter of the VIII
mington and Philadelphia Traction
Company supplying rubber blankets
Tor It's wire workers Mr. Peirce said
that Mr.. Heindle, of the railway COM
nsny. had informed him that the com
pauy had four teams of men AT work
on poles, and each team had been
supplied with three uf tho protectors.
which cost S35 a piece
Relative tO the communication or
dered sent 20 the Police Commission,
matter brought out in tho reading
Of the minutes, requesting that body
TO permit the city linemen 10 make an
inspection and report all bad wires
In the city. IL was learned that nc
reply had been received. Secretary
Bothum will again write the Pollc,
Board. requesting reply 20 the com
munication.
AIR, Bacher expressed the opinion
that there we're tons of wire that
should come down.
Another matter discussed was IN
appearance OF the members before
the members of Council with re
quest for financial assistance to dc
fray the cost OF an investigation q
the affairs of the Wilmington ant
Philadelphia Traction Company %
the petition OF Tho Central Labol
Union urging q four-cent fare.
Mr. HuphQr Ih.f A..
rs still in tho hands of the flnanc,
committee Of Council he thought IN,
members should keep after the Coun
cilmcn. He said tho city will soon b,
called upon TO furnish about Si00..
600 year to meet tho interest on
bonds. upkecp. etc OF the new oity
and county building. This structure
he said. was only something TO lool
al, whereas. by Council assisting Tho
Board OF Public Utilities. 100000 a
year would he saved 10 the people in
reduced trolley rates. He said he
had spoken TO Chairman Stover of IN,
finance committee OF Council. and hs
had Informed him that as there is bul
$4,000 In tho miscellaneous account o
Council that body did not have an,
great amount TO cXpond in this di
rection. Mr. Bachor then made p
comparison of the street railway am
electric lighting company IN Holy
ok. Mass with those Of the vii
minEton and Philadelphia Traction
company He said the company II
the former city operated 65 miles q
rackaEc and IFS capital stock
lower than on the local company wit
q miles. IIe further said tho Hol,
oke company paid $4,000 = wear /
iares while the local company pay
but $4,000
Mr. Clesyer asked Mr. Racher whs
were thc liked interest charges n
me Hol3oke concern but Mr.. Bach,
was unable 10 say. He said. how
ever. that the Holyokc company psi
per cent annually in dividends ar
he maintained that tho stock of Il
local company was watered.
Mr. Cleaver said IL was necessar
70 ger Al the bottom Of questions b
tore the board can act Intelligent
NC said the value Of the property
tho local public utilities compani
would have 10 be separated from B
holdings outside the city limits. n
boards jurisdiction being coBfn,
wholly 10 Wilmington. He contend,
that this would be a big undertakir
and experts to do this. come high. 7
said he did not consider that fro
$4,000 10 $4,000 would be suficie
money 10 cover the cost Of makil
such On investigation
Mr.. McMullen wanted to know
the companies would not give this 4
formation voluntarily and was 10
that they have agreed 10 submit ;
annual statemet OF their affairs 10 d
board but this statement will conta
report Of all their business I'm q
State and is not confined to Wilmin
ton alone. Mr.. Cleavcr said that n
Bardo Of the Diamond state Tel
phone Company. Informed him
would be impossible for his compa
TO separate IFS Wilmington busine
from that done outside of the a
so far as cost OF operation. etc.
concerned
Mr.. Baily considered that the te
phone proposition would be the ha
rst 10 overcome.
The task OF making up the Z
nual report Of the board TO be s.
mitted TO tho Mayor was delegs
10 Mr.. Baily.
FINANCIAL AND COMMERCIAL
BY The United Press