Evening journal., 1921-01-26
NEWS GOSSIP
OF new CASTLE
Mass Meeting Favors Munic-
ipal Ownership of Pub
lie Utilities
CITY BUYS WATER
AND LIGHT PLANTS
Social 10 ma Eventng Iournal.

Special TO 'lnc Evening journal.
NEW CASTLE. Jan. 26-A last
nights mass meeting called by City
Council 70 ascertain The sentiment OF
the citizens ooncerDing the purchase
OF the two plants supplying the city
with wafer and light. for The sum Of
$4,000, al Of those present-showed
by a rising vote that they favored Ue
pr0I0sitLOn. Only one person voted
AGAINST the proposition. There were
$50 persons present. eight Of whom
did not vote. In compliance with lhe
sentiment and approval expressed,
City solicitor Janvicr, who has been.
conducting negotiations with the
owners Of the Delaware Water I'M
pr0Voment and The New Castle Water
Cmpanys, will be instructed 30 close
the deal The solicitor is negotiating
the floating OF The bonds Which are
practically sold al par. The bonds are
% bear lia per cent. interest and VIII
be for a long term
Previous % the vote being taken
considerable discussion as TO the ad-
visibility OF the purchase, took
place.
john II. stoops. president OF City
Council presided, with Councilman
Weggenman. Poole, Walls and VIII
helm occupying seats on the plat
form with Mr.. Stoops
Mr. StOops said that after several
months negotiation with the repre-
sentatives OF the committee Of bond
holders Council had tentatively agreed
90 purchase the plants at the price
mentioned lie said at first the COM
pany representatives asked SiiOOO0
for the properties, hut by gradual re-
ducti0n had presented their most re-
cent offer OF $1,000. When asked by
Michael Reynolds as 10 the amount
Council considered necessary 20 pro
vide an adequate and safe supply OF
water if the plants are purchased,
Mr. St0ops said The members OF Coun-
ell had varied in opinions from Sio,-
600 10 $4,000 in their estimates.
Richard $. Rodney. In opening the
discussion, said hc could not say he
was particularly in favor OF a mu-
nicipality owning its water plants.
but i'm view OF the fart mat two pri-
Nate corporations at different periods
had failed In their effort to provide
sufficient and adequate water supply
for New Castle. and mat as The pres
ent owners were not providing the
city with a proper supply OF water
or making efforts 70 provide same,
or in keeping their plants modern, he
felt II necessary TO purchase The
ylanis at this time. lie said IL Is not
probable that, should a third cor
porati0n attempt 20 operate The
plants, it would succeed.
Mr. Rodney said: II favor The meet
ing going on record as favOring tne
purchase Of the plants equiIment.
appurtcnances and Franchise by C0un-
cll at the cost OF SIT, 600.
John r.. LamhSOn said he differed
with Mr. Rodney only In the state
ment concerning a municipal owner
ship. He said he believed every munic-
ipalitv should own its public utilities
not only TO insure the proper treat
mcnt OF lis citiznns, but as a source
OF revenue. lie cited that In supply.
ing The lights the city could sav'
several thousand dollars a year. II,
said he had been assured by reliahl,
sources that New Castle was makinl
an enormous expenditure that would
he saved II the plants were pur-
chased.
Michael Reynolds. in speaklnr
against the purchase, said no was 0p-
posed 30 the purchase becausa Of iht
possible subsequent expenditure liz
properly equipplng the two plant.
and the finding OF an adequate ant
proper water supply Mr.. ReynOld.
was the only dlssenter.
The motion Of Frank J.. Madden L
Instruct Council 20 make the pur
chase, received many seconds from
all parts Of The audience and was car
rled by a vote OF iii TO 4
In the purchase the city will re
ceive a full equipment and appur
tenances OF The Non-Such Creek hash
plant owned by the New Castle Waie
Company, and The new plant locate
near the New Castle car barns owne
by The Delaware Water improvement
Company.
Besides these plants the city get
The electric light franchises. one 1
supply this city and one 10 suppl
Delaware City.
Pupils Of The New Castle puhli
schools, whose names have bee
placed on The attendance honor roI
for the month OF December follow:
Twelfth grade-lohn Davidson
Mabel Eskridce, Chester Greenwood
Dorothy Miller and Blanche Sibley.
Eleventh grado-Ioseph Cannon
Ralph Duing, Helen Diehl Vicio
Davis, Herbert Hewlett. Charles Kipi
John Leach. Marie Mendenhall. Joh
Stanley and Earle Wegrenmann
Tenth grade-Harold Banner Ieste