Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1918-01-21
RACTIOl COMPANY
EXPLAINS Troubles
'oor Quality Of Coal am
Too Few Boilers the
Cause
EXPECT RFLIEF
IN SHORT TIVE

The special committee OF the City
Council appointed several weeks ago
% investigate the trolley and electric
service being furnished the city by the
Wilmington and Philadelphia Traction
rnrany had another meeting satur
day night with the officials Of the com.
pany following a TOUR Of inspection 20
the power plants along the Brandywine
creek. The hearing was attended BY
several Interested citizens In response
10 the invitation Of Council TO be
present
Thomas W Wilson. yice-presldent and
GENERAL manager Of the traction com
nany, was the chief spokesman for that
concern. He was accompanied by VII
am A Helndle, David l. OFT and Henry
Throop, other officials. and John
Neary, the company's counsel Council
man James Mesrns chairman OF the in
vnstisatlng committee, presided and al
the beginning explained the purpose Of
the hearing He said:
Members OF city Council who had IN
estigated the power plant Of the vii
nington and Philadelphia Traction Com
any along the Brandywine creek, yes
erday afternoon. ami who held a con
ference with Of Gals OF that company
n Council chambers a week ago las
light. to discuss the stoppage OF trolley
ar service here MS well as the shutting
I Of the electric light current, held
ublic hearing in Council chambers agar
asst night with the same % cials
During this hearing which was feat
ured by tits ana repartee between mem
hrrs OF Council. John +. Neary. counso'
OF the traction company. and privat'
-itizens who we're present IL was brought
ut by the company "cials that the
traction company troubles at the pres
ent time was the lack OF boiler capacity
ouplcd with the poor grade OF coal be
ne supplied TO il.
/ Thomas w Wilson, vice president anr
,eneral manager OF the company. wa'
ne ch'ef spokesman for the company
ast night although he was accompan
ed by William A. Hendle David /. OF
nd Henry Th-oop. other officials, anC
hey. too. took part in the score or NOR
Il debates. In addition 10 these o"cia''
nd tho Council present. among those II
he audience were Mayor John W. Law
ion. Representatives Cross and Mcneil
md former Councilman Williams. Nc
Ocrmott, Richard C. McMullen, presi
dent Of the Beard Of Public Uti'iti"
Colonel Weller T. Slower ana others
numbering in all about fifty men.
The meeting was opened by Council
man Mearns. who explained that Cit,
Council desired to have the public un
derstand lust what the company wa
doing TO better its facilities here, henc
the Invitation 70 the public 10 attend
1--WE all regret that these condition
oxist," said he, but none more than tn
officer Of the company who are busi
ness men Of sound mind We all want {
construct and not break down, and
feel that the management will sccep
my suggestions that may be made whicI
are possible and which will benefit tn
service
Continuing. Mr. Mearns said: "Thes
are strenuous times. Things and affair
are changing rapidly before us. Las
Saturday night the officials EXPLAINED T.
us what they were doing and ] though
the public rsieht want to know aud hea
from them iust what they are doing"
Mr.. Wilson. ce-president OF the com
panv. was the first to speak. Vie said
'Mr. Ch1irmsn, members Of Council an
fellow citizens. there is no one who re
grets more than I do the events Of tn
, past few weeks since the Garfield clos
ING order was received. ] know you al
appreciate more than ever the fact tina
we are at war The railroads are stale
while 1914 ships loaded with food for tn
Allies await coaling The whole organ
ism OF the country seems topsy.turv,
This war has caused a great influx q