Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1899-05-12
STANDPIPE TALK.
PROPOSED AGREEMENT WITH DU-
POINTS. DISCUSSED BY COUNCIL.

ABLY ON THE PROPOSITION OF.
AN AGREEMENT BETWEEN CITY
AND THE POWDER MAKERS RE
GARDING DAMAGE FROM POSI-
BILE EXPLOSIONS.
At the regular meeting of City Coun-
ell last night considerable discussion
took place over a proposed agreement
between the city and the Dupont Com
pany regarding damages by explosions
to the new water tower TO be erected in
Rockford Park
The Law Committee reported favor
ably on the proposition to have the mayor
and Council execute an agreement be-
tween the city and F. I. DUPONT de Ne
mours & Co., by which the city is to
erect a stand pipe in Rockford Park
The agreement provides that the COM
pany shall be relieved from any damages
to the stand pipe or persons there, caused
by explosions ait the works.
Mr.. Smith opposed the agreement, stat
ing that If the place was not- dangerous
the DuPonts would not want such ar
rangements. The stand pipe should be
placed in a safe localIty,a as the city might
have to pay thousands Of dollars dam
ages.
Mr.. Smith said that under the agree
ment the city took upon itself the con-
sequence Of any explosion which might
occur there and cause damage. Council
should avoid all dangers.
Mr.. Leary said the city was asking for
permission to erect the stand pipe. The
DuPonts are not asking it, The Water
Department desires to erect the stand
pipe, and TO do so 1t is necessary to gel
permission. If there ds any fault It IL
with the Water Department
Mr.. Oberly said that the only way ir
which water could be supplied to thi.
section was by a stand pipe erected OF
the land suggested.
In reply to a question Mayor McLeal
Stated that the new stand pipe was {,
be erected between Mt. Salem lane AM
Wits Rock.
Mr.. Leary said he understood this wa
the only eligible location for the stan,
pipe.
Mr.. Smith did not object to the locality
but only to Council taking this obliga
ton upon itself. He held the city ha,
the Law property, which was represents
to be the highest land in the city.
On motion of Mr.. Oberly action wa
postponed for one week.
on motion of Mr. Cannon, the Fir
Committee was empowered to expend SIC
| ha 90
sasss's use.
Mr.. Fisher presented a communicable
from George r.. Roberts, asking the re
turn Of capitation tax, which was re
ferred Ito the Finance Committee. Nj
zebley presented a similar communica
tion from George Black.
The Finance Committee reported hay
ing examined the accounts Of the Stree
and Sewer Department and found thei
correct
Building Inspector Cassidy made n
yearly report for the period ending Ma
/, 1899
The report shows that while there wa
not a building boom. stlll there wei
quite a number OF buildings erected. Or
hundred and sixty-seven dwelling houst
were erected, the estimated cost Of whic
was S394,O43 Thirteen stores were bui
with total estimated cost of s24,27O, ar
five factories and foundry with an est
mated cost Of $50, 400.
Two warehouses were built with an G
timated cost Of $1S.79i; six stables, S4,2C
two offices. 1850; one hall, $1,000; I,
shops, 1926; fonty-five back building
!. N6,727; one hundred and sixteen alter
T tions and repairs, 55,7Ol; two scho
houses, $4,000; one office buildin
$4,000; one ice plant, M,4
p Twenty-Five privy wells were examine
The total number of permits issu
It were 81; total valuation s62S, GIG; amou
e of fees collected and passed over to ci
S treasurer. S1,027.
u The building inspector condemned tn
% teen buildings, five back buildings, Gig
{ cellar walls, six chimneys and ten wal
l. City Treasurer Curry reported the b
ance to current expenses to be 81, ,5O7.
10 park purposes. S23O3L55; received
~ Union National Bank, $l199S; Edmu
- Mitchell, $415; Thomas S. Lewis, $3.50: Z
"A gene NJ. Sayers, s525