Evening journal., 1913-04-15

OF the Street and Sewer Department,
this morning unanimously refused the
applications OF the Peoples Light,
Heat and Power Company 10 do husl-
ness in the Wilmington field This
leaves the Wilmington and Philadel-
phia Traction Company with a
monopoly in the electric power and
light business in Wilmington.
Prior to rejecting the franchise, the
! Directors received a communication
from the National Progressive Party
asking pertinent questions az 20 the
rates. physical valuation. ana otner
financial details OF the Wilmington
and Philadelphia Traction Company's
railway and light properties. The
Progressives asked for a delay in the
franchise action until the questions
could be answered publicly. Director
Sparks gave answers TO some OF the
questions, and tho Board then refused
the franchise The decision OF tho
Board read by President Sparks is as
follows.
1.-THE Boards Decision.
THE Board OF Directors Of the
Street and Sewer Department have
considered carefully the application
OF the Peoples Heat Light and Pow
er Company ow pending before them
for franchise grating unto said
company. the rights IN the city OF
Wilmington for the erection OF a
light, heat and power plant and the
installation OF poles, wires and con-
. duits. etc, necessary for the pursuit
Q OF such business.
I'VE have given fun and open hear
ings to all OF those concerned and to
any citizens that desired TO speak on
the question
we realize and have realized
= throughout that this applicant is en-
; titled TO a greater degree OF consider
I alton than probably that OF any other
- which has been presented TO this
q Board being coordinate branch OF
going public service corporation
3 which has been IN existence without
II change OF management for a period o.
years and our sympathies are In con
Is sequence awakened 20 their applica
= tion; but upon careful consideration
:. and Investigation we nnd that tn
7t rates offered by the operating Com
~ lpany are as low as those offered n
any other City OF which We have
= knowledge Ia this country, notwith
= standing many Of them have the ad
- vantage Of water power and natura
~ gas. and many Of them operated
under the regulation Of Utility Com
b. missions OF different States whose
"A powers are absolute The service
"A rendered Ia admittedly satisfactory
The City ia now covered Throughout
\ with poles and wires ready and witt
4 mechanical installation sufficient q
,e supply any demand An examination
10 OF their books by our Secretary shows
A. that there is no benefit being derived
2 for any over capitalization.
le There are now extant in this cit
r franchise rights given TO The Armour
Electric Company. The Wilmington
y City Electric Company, The Whining
ID ton Light, Heat and Power Company
le The Wilmington Electric Light ant
m Power Company. The Delaware Elec
TX trio Transmission Company. and tn
Universal Conduit, Light. Heat an,
er Power Company, which have one b.
se one been usurped and locked up b.
IN existing light companies resulting II
10 every instance in an increase owe
Of the rates existing during the rat
ne war, natural dissatisfaction and dis
Il content ensuinA, necessitating tn
a operating companies transactin
"a business at a loss and preventing tn
ts consumers from receiving the bes
service and the municipality fror
II exercising it's regulatory power
which they have the right TO exercis
over public service corporations.
"Our city is now veritable fores
OF polls and a network OF overhea
wires. carrying percentage OF dar
B ger TO life and property, vhic
B would be multiplied by the grantin
Of another franchise in the duplics
ton OF the system.
l "The applicant has presented cel
D tain arguments but has failed
: convince this board that any benef
! will accrue to the city OF Wilmingtc
? n this consent is granted, particl
: larly in the matter OF guaranteeir
10 the city that this company will IL
/. } sure that competition In the furnisl
o ing OF electricity for lighting an
power will be maintained, on whis
point everyone interested in this que
tion appear to agree that there is !
o effective method by which the ci
o may insure such maintenance, and
o seems eminently fitting that this boa
70 should be guided in this matter
O the experience of this city and citi
3 generally throughout the country wi
. competitive lighting companies.
70 used our best efforts TO ascertain Z
~ probable capitalization of this app
- cant and the rates which they pr
pose to create. but the only respon
which we received was that N
n board could take unto itself the pow
TO name the rates. provided the n
result therefrom would not decrea
the net earnings thereto to less thu
seven per cent. Of the capital investe
This In our judgment, is
D vague that II is unworthy OF co
sideration. The clause presented
I'll the applicant. relative TO ultima
merging. consolidation, sale or a
quirement. was deemed by couns
q for the applicant to be OF no value.
y I'VE have carefully considered q
letters OF citizens favoring the gran
= II ing Of this application and have /
Z vestigated the books of the prese
operating company and hnd III
- 90 per cent. or more Of said adv