Five Mile Beach weekly journal., 1918-05-03
WILDWOOD BEACH
MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS
What Our Governing Officials
are Doing. Trolley Fares TO
90 to Six Cents. Cars 10
Stop al Every other
. Corner or at Points
Agreed Upon
BOARD OF TRADE MEETING LAST NIGHT

brief. J. Fithian Tatem, attorney for
the electric light and trolley companies,
gave notice that application would be
made by him on behalf of these two
corrorations to the State Utilities COM
mission for relief from monetary dis
tress, suffered because of the high cost
of labor and fuel. The business of MI.
Tatem's claims was patent to all pres
ent, and a petition will be presented
without delay to the State authorities
seeking permission to discontinue dis
counts on all bills for electric light.
No increase of rates is proposed or in
tended, except for boardwalk arc lights.
Here a slight increase Is necessary; but
all street arc lights shall be maintained
at the old price OF S82 per year. Mr..
Tatem says that under existing condi-
lions this service should be quoted at
1925. Thus the light company is very
generous toward the city. The price
of electricity 10 general consumers re-
mains as stated, at 15c per kilowatt to
all-the-year-round people, and zoe per
kilowatt to summer people. Some per-
sons may wonder how the Electric
company will be helped If there be no
increase in rates. It is because OF the
big discounts heretofore given for cash
on different bills. This rate of discount
ranged from per cent. to 10 per cent.
A raise OF one cent in the trolley fare
will be asked for. Ocean City asked
for and was granted a raise of two
cents. Mr.. Tatem said the trolley COM
of seeking a &c fare, but concluded to
try to get by on a &c fare, which is
reasonable. The income of the trolley
company was 20 per cent. less In 1917
than in previous years. The blocks be-
ing short IN Wildwood, a saving Of
time and of electric energy can be effec-
ted by making fewer stops. This sug-
gestion is not original with the trolley
company, but comes direct from the
chief engineer OF the State Utility COM
mission. 1t is a mighty good sugges-
ton. The points at which stops will
be made OF signal to motorman or con-
ductor, are to be mutually agreed upon
by Mr.. Tatem and the commissioners.
A motion was passed requesting the
presence here of an inspector from the
State Board of Health to go over mat
tiers with the commissioners and Solicit.
tor Hand relative to conditions in the
western part of the 1st ward. North
Wildwoo authorities are dumping
waste material near Goth street and
Park boulevard. When a food occurs,
as was the case during the recent
storm, the refuse is carried all wei the
western section, causing much damage
and annoyance. Relief from this state
of things is now being insisted upon.
The appearance of a state inspector on
the scene will soon start the ball a-rol-
ling. William III. Boardman, of Phil
adelphia, is the present consulting en-
gineer of the Wildwood water works.
His salary is $500 a year and travelling
expenses allowed. Two bills were re-
ceived from him, totaling $843.32 for
services specified to have been render
ed by his assistant engineer. Some
questions were asked about this mat
ter. 1t was explained that the $500
salary only covered the "know how"
part OF the service, and everything else
was extra. The two bills referred to
as extras, tore water commissioner
Browns 20. K" and were ordered
paid.
In a letter Harry 8. Durham resign
ed as assistant chief of the Wildwood
Fire company. 1t was accepted. :
President Robert j. Kay convened
the Board of Trade In regular session
at nine o'clock last night on third floor
Of fire house, 3D. ward. Adjournment
was moved at midnight. In the course
of q most sensational meeting, the fol-
lowing persons were selected as a man.
aging committee: Glenn I. Folsom,
E. B. Pagan, J.. e. Whitesell, Robert
J.. Pierpont, Frank Wentzell, Heber
Crane, John Beecher, Palmer M Way,
j. Albert Harris, A. @. Bailey, @. q.
Eldredge and Thos. Goslin. To these IL
men was delegated the task Of procur-
ing a paid secretary. 1t is presumed
that not less than $500 nor more than
$4,000 will cover the expenses of this
officer. Considerable debate ensued
on this topic of salary. Mr.. Kay said,
thereafter sessions of the board will
be opened at 7.30 p. m. sharp, and close
at 10 o. m.n Out of a total of 1l8 old
members, so of them have signed APP
plications for renewal of membership
at $25 each; As new members have been
obtained at the increased membership
rate; thus the r~eorganized board starts