Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1913-04-11
FRANCHISE
APPLICATION
HALTS BONDS
Council Refuses to Call Out
From Committee Loan Or
dinanCe BenefitinC Street
Department
FAVOR COMPETITION
IN LIGHTING BUSINESS

As result Of the stand of appar-
ent antagonism taken by the Direc-
tors Of the Street and Sewer Depart
ment against the request Of the Peo-
pies Heat, Light and Power Company
for lighting franchise some of the
members of City Council have decid-
ed to hold up the bond issue for the
department as authorized in an ordi-
nance presented last Thursday nigl6
which was to have been passed at the
regular meeting of Council last night.
Two ordinances were introduced in
Council last week, one providing for
a loan of S150,0O0 for street and sewer
improvements and the other for a
bond issue OF 100000 for a play
ground and park in the Tenth ward.
These measures after receiving two
readings were referred to the law and
finance committees and we're to have
been fayorably reported and voted
upon last night.
II was learned today that when a
recess was taken last night to dis
pose of matter foreign TO the bond
issues. the lighting franchise matter
cropped up. Council had passed a re-
solution fsvoring the granting of the
franchise and It was sent 10 the
Street and Sewer Directors, the mem-
bers being on record in this respect
Last night some OF the Councilmen
were opposed TO passing the Ordi.
nance providing for the Street and
Sewer loan until they learn what ac-
tion Is 10 be taken by that depart
ment on the Peoples Company fran
chise. It was learned that those who
favored taking this course were Coun-
cllmen John j. Haney, Tenth ward
Edward A. Higgins, Third ward;
James Kane, Fourth ward; Jacob
Zimmerman. First ward: Samuel
Hingcr, Twelfth ward. and George l..
Bilderback. Ninth ward.Mr BilderbaelS
being the only Republican member
srrayeo on that side.
Councilman, James A. McKeown,
Democrat. was absent The remain
ing Republican members Of Council
were against holding mp action on the
bond issue. claiming that the people
want the street improvements. and
not tho Street and Sewer Directors
and it would only be cutting of
( their noses to spite their faces" 10
hold up these improvements. The
vote to defer was s TO 6. and as two
thirds OF the members must unite to
+, act on the bond Issue action was de-
ferred.
Chairman W. h. Slower, Of the f
nance committed refused to bring the
bond ordinances out OF the commit
tees and for the present there will
/ be no action. This applies not only
| TO the street and sewer loan but also
to the Tenth ward park bond issue.
Councilman Hansy- finds himself in
peculiar situation. He strongly adj
vocated the opening of a park and
playground in the Tenth ward and
at the same time has been fighting
hard for competition in the lighting
field.
Mr.. Haney today said he and some
other Councilmen feel that the people
want the Peoples Company to have
competitive franchise in the cleo
! trio sight field, and that Council as
Representatives Of the people SHOULD
see that the Street and Sewer Direc
tors heed the popular wish. Mr.
Haney says legal provision has beer
made for improving streets, but il thu
people do not get competition in thu
electrical field now they may nevel
get it. He pointed out that Cit
Council and the Levy Court. both elec
tive bodies, have adopted resolutions
favoring the franchise. and the Stree
and Sewer Directors are appointive Of
ficers and cannot be made responsive
except in such instances as that nov
at the hands Of City Council.