Evening journal., 1915-08-05
LEASES WHARF FOR
trenton BOAT Line
!. W. Thompson Before
Council, But Mr.. Kane
Was Absent
STEAMERS TO LAND
AT SOUTH MARKET ST.

Although the city viii not benefit 70
the amount OF 500 per month rental for
its wharf property on the Christiana, a.
offered by J. w. Thompson, Of Phlladel-
phia, the city win get the new boat from
this city 70 Trenton which Mr.. Ihomp-
son has made arrangements for. lie has
leased a wharf on the south side OF the
Chrstiana river west Of the Market
street bridge. The company represented
by Mr. Thompson has been incorporated
under the name of the Peoples Steam
boat Company.
10 also has been shown that Mr..
Thompson, instead Of Offering Council
man Johnson money for his influence, as
charged BY Councilman Kane, merely Of
fered TO deposit $500 as a guarantee OF
good faith and 500 more upon getting
possession Of the wharf, which would
make 5000, or six months in advance.
Mr.. Thompson appeared at the
meeting of committees of City Coun-
Gil last evening and made his posi-
tion clear TO the members.
Councilman James Kane, who had
made the serious charge that Mr.
Thompson had offered $500 10 Coun-
Gilman Johnson as a bribe, was not at
the meeting last evening. Mr.. Thomp-
son said he was anxious to see Mr..
Kanc and have a talk with him.
Mr.. Downward was IN Philadelphia
yesterday TO try to see Mr.. Thompson.
He was unable TO locate him but a
message left with his attorneys
brought Mr. Thompson to the Council
meeting last evening.
The following letter also was re-
ceived by President Of Council Down
ward from Mr.. Thomson:
Philadelphia. Aug g.. 1915
! MI. Henry c. Downward
Dear Mr.. Downward: phoned
| the clerk on duty in Council chamber
a few days ago stating that our cor
respondents in New York informed
/ us that Messrs Messimer and Car
rean, No. 101 Park avenue, New York,
we're looking for a site TO start a
manufacturing interest and plant,
and as we start business in Will
mington I hope TO do something TO
help build it up and make II interest
ing to all outsiders who desire to To-
cate These parties, I am informed.
will spend about S350,000 If they To-
cate in your city. am enclosing YOU
envelope which will be used by US
VIXEN cur printing matter is com
pleted
Il am truly sorry we could not get
the city wharf to use, and feel sure
we could have so improved il by
large vessel shipments that it would
have been great improvement tc
the city. offered you, as ! thought
high rent and was willing to de-
I posit with your honorable body the
sum Of $500 on account Of rent as ar
4 evidence of good faith, and would pa,
/ 500 more when we received th'
b lease. This would have been 81,
j months rent in advance, and a SUR
Z rental by giving you any reasonable
d bond for years az $1,000 per year
After we were informed that thl
l.. Councilmen had not finally informed
q themselves about our proposition, o.
- course we looked for other propertiei
and placed ourselves in that position
. that if we did not rent your property
! we could get the others, and W.
:. closed for the foot of Market stree
] over the bridges. and now are clean
/, ing it up preparing to build a wait
ing room and freight room, and q.
soon as we get our wharf done a
Pennsgrove we will start our boats
when we hope to have you and th'
Councilmen take a ride with US.
4 want TO thank you personally
as we'll as all the Councilmen an,
clerks for the business courtes.
shown me. and assure you I shall al
ways appreciate it.
Every truly yours,
-. W. Thompson"