Evening journal., 1918-08-09

then made by Mr.. Garrett that the other
nine assignments be dismissed
'Then. as understand IL, there IS no
evidence on the other assignments, yet
they are not dismissed" Mr.. Garrett
asked.
Mr.. Garrett then opened the defense
by putting Mr.. Garretson on the stand
In his own defense. Mr.. Garretson eX-
planned that he had been appointed to
mn the uneXpired term OF Samuel q. |
Cleaver, who resigned in 1918, by form
er Mayor Howell and that former Mayor
Price had reappointed him. In reply
to questioning by Mr.. Garrett, he add !
ed that the Utilities Board in 1912 had
adopted rules and regulations and that
one amendment had been made since
he was a member, that being in 1915.
The action Of the Utilities Commits
sioners in deciding to have the expert
go over the lines OF the local traction
company and make a survey at a cost
OF $500 was then discussed Mr.. Gsrret-
son contendlng that Mr.. Robertson was
| present at that meeting and had not
offered any objection. He explained
that efforts were made TO secure the
best expert possible and letters on the
u
panies. one OF which was not answered,
the other company stated II was too
busy 10 have IT'S men do the work, and
the Westinghouse Electric Company
was engaged TO send an expert here
Relative 10 the assignment stating
that the commissioners held meetings
which could not be attended by the
public, the commissioner stated That al
the hearing accorded the trolley com
pany relative 10 their request for an
Increase In fares, the session lasted
, from 40 a. m. until p. m. and was
attended by delegation OF railway en-
ployes, DR.. II. r. S)ruance, James |
O'Kane, J. Christy Conner, Ezekiel Coop !
er and Others.
Mr.. Garrett then asked why the
board held It's meetings In the day |
time and Mr.. GarretsOn stated because /
Il was convenient for the members, II |
being felt that they had such a right |
lie also stated that Frank Mock, one
OF the commissioners who was not
present when the vote was taken al
lowing the traction company 10 In
crease It's fare, had Informed him That
he was not In need Of any one TO de-
fend his action and that he Mock |
would have voted the same way the
others did II he had been there.
Mr. Garretson also denied that ne
called any meetings OF the board, say
ing that Mr.. McMullen had done so, he
being president Of the board.
Relative 10 the sixth charge regard
ing the Traction company PURCHASING
materials from the company whose ex-
pert had made an Investigation. Mr.
Garretson stated u-at he and the other
members felt that the Westinghouse
Company, a large concern, would not
make a false report because a small
company bought few supplies from
Il.
Relative 10 ascertalnlng what the
rates charged In other cities We're pre-
vi0us 30 the action taken by the local
commission, Mr.. GarretsOn stated that
they had reports from az cities and also
The report Of the company for the pre-
ceding six months
Mr.. Garretson then denied that the
wording Of the question set forth I'm as
signment No. 10 was the same as that .
asked him at teh previous hearing of
Council, and no read extracts from the
newspapers covering the case TO bear
out his statements. He likewise stated
that regarding fares, he was five
cent man or less" which, he added,
may sound strange"
Councilman Robertson replied, 1T
does sound strange"
In reply 20 the questioning Of Coun-
Gilman Robertson, Mr.. Garretson denied
being interested in the traction COM
pany.
Councilman Robertson then asked Mr..
Garretson what HIS attitude towards
any public utility would bo II he were {
the head Of a financial institution
which held some certificates Of the
utility corporation. Mr.. Garrett OBJ
jected TO the question on the ground I
that it was hypothetical. 5
Commissioner Garretson I'm reply 10 a
another question said he was not inter- I
ested directly or otherwise in the VIII
mington Trust Company. L
There was much wrangling over the
Increase Of indebtedness Of the Trac- /
tion Company while Mr. Garretson was \
a member OF the commission, durins
which both Councilman Robertson and 4
Mr.. Garrettson frequently objected to r
answers and questions as being lr- d
relevant 10 the case.
An duuuhhlOn WAS UnallN tudQe tnat !
bonds were issued by the Traction
Company on several occasions during
Mr. Garrettson's term on the commis-
sion. I
How many times has the Traction
Company changed owners?" asked
Councilman Robertson, 20 which Com
missioner GarratsOn enumerated the
owners OF the various lines making up
the Wilmington and Philadelphia Trac-
tlon Company, beginning with the VIII
mingion City Railway Company. Since
then the company has been in the ]
hands Of the Wilmington City Electric !
Company. the Interstate Railways Com
pany; the National Properties Company
and finally sold to the American Rail- {
ways Company, the present holders Of
the common stock.
"Have you ever required a clean, ade- :
niate and sufficient service from TIE Z
Traction Company" inquired Council :
man Robertson.
1--WE have" came the reply from Car
retson.
Councilman Robertson then wanted |
TO know whether a demand was made Z
on the traction company for better ser h
vice at the time the company applied o
for permission TO increase rates.
To this Commissioner Garretson
replied that the commission was always
- ., ,,,,,o,.od fo rnoke fhOgo rpUupsts and