Evening journal., 1913-04-09
$635,OOO
Spent For improvements
by Existing Electric
Light Company
With Two Companies in The
Field This Would Have Been
Impossible
Impossible

Impossible
In about two and One-haf years the Light
& Power Department of the Wilmington <
Philadelphia Traction Co. has made remarkable
progress. The properties when they came
under its management on July l, 1910, were
run down. in need of radical repairs, new ma
chinery and new street lighting, etc. These
improvements had been impossible with the for
mer arrangements because their treasures had
been depleted by period of ruinOus COMPETE
ticn. and they were unable, under such cOndi
tiOns, to secure the money for the upkeep and
development of their properties necessary to
give adequate and efficient service to the public.
Upon the transfer of the management of
these lighting properties to the Wilmington &
Philadelphia Traction Co., it was possible to get I
the necessary capital to make these much
needed improvements, and in two and One-half
wears OVER SIX HUNDRED AND THIRTY
FIVE THOUSAND DOLLARS ($635,0OO) IN
CASH HAS BEEN EXPENDED BY THE
LIGHT AND POWER DEPARTMENT TO
PROVIDE ADEQUATE AND HIGH GRADE
SERVICE TO THE PUBLIC.
Among the many improvements made may
be mentioned the following;
large addition to the Brandywine
pOwerhOuse and the installation of the
most modern generating machinery, both
steam and electric, including expensive
coal and ash handling apparatus, entirely
new switchbOards etc, all doubling the
plants former capacity
TIE entire remOdeIing of the Fifth
street sub-statiOn and the installation of
new switchbOards, large new motor driven
dynamOs and a complete new Magnetic and
Tungsten street lighting control system.
The construction of duct line and the
installing of underground feeders connect
ing the p0werhOuse with the Fifth street
sub-statiOn. The construction of an under
ground conduit system in the vicinity of
the Fifth street sub-statiOn, the purchase
and placing therein of new underground
feeders and the removal of practically all
of the overhead wires leading from this
station.
The removal of wooden poles on Mar
ket street belonging to various companies,
the substitution of ornamental iron poles
for illumination and the readjustment and
Improvement of wire conditions on that
street.
Inc replacement OF the Ol0 style ART
lamps with the most modern magnetic
lamps throughout the entire city.
The extension of lines and service to
Brandywine Springs, MarshalltOn, Hope
Farm and other places
The consolidation of some of the Whining
ton City Electric Co.'s lines with those
of the Wilmington Light and Power Co,
resulting in a reduction of the number OF
wires and miles and the Improvement of
service.
The purchase of additional meters and
transformers and great many other inn
prOvements which are necessary to prop
erly serve the public.
As a result of the expenditure of this large
amount of additional capital more than 1000
new consumers are now using electricity.
Houses are being wired by the company, either
singly or in blocks on the monthly payment
plan, which requires considerable capital In.
Vulnerable poles and wires are being relocated
to facilitate the rapid advances being made by
Wilmington in the way of new buildings inn
proved streets. parks, ETC., in which we take a
keen interest and very natural pride
THIS is REAL PROGRESS. Such devel-
opment DID NOT and COULD NOT take place
when the business was divided between two
companies Nor can it be continued if similar
conditions are again to prevail And these
conditions would surely be brought about by
the granting of the franchise which is now being
applied for by another company.
IF YOU STAND FOR THE REAL PRO-
GRESS OF WILMINGTON AND THE MAIN
TENANCE OF A HIGH STANDARD OF
ELECTRIC SERVICE, YOU SHOULD NATU-
RALLY BE OPPOSED TO THE GRANTING
OF ANOTHER FRANCHISE.
LIGHT AND POWER DEPA
WilmingIon, and PhiIs. Tract q
e0Q MorL.t Ct-..,