The sun., 1901-10-09
BILL FOR COAL
OBJECTED TO
Levy Court Commissioner Chand-
Ter Makes Oh argos.
WILL BE INVESTIGATED
Comptroller Kelley Refused To APP
prove Bill OF Rhoads and Healey
and Other statements Re
icrrcd for Investigation.

Rhoads and Healey's bill for coal for
the Court House was the subject of most
interest ut the meeting of the Levy
Court yesterday. This bill was objected
10 by Comptroller Kelley, who also re-
fused to approve bills of George IL.
Philips for $23S.05, ami James Il. Lynn
for $l240. After some discussion the
bills were referred back to the comp
troler for investigation. Various other
matters OF interest came before the court
during the day.
= When the bills were brought up for
action Comptroller Kelley presented ii
statement to the court refusing to ap-
prove bills rs follows:
Rhoads and Hcaley, 1901, February H.,
81 tons of coal, $3.50, $445.50; March a.,
40 tons Of coal, $3.50. $269. so; total, $715.O0.
More thnn $500 contract limit.
George ii. Philips, work and material
at Court House, $23S.O5. Main charges
not correctly itcmizcd.
James B. Lynn. repairs to boat and
loss Of oars, $12.5O. This was the boat
hired by The Levy Court for use at
Seventh street bridge and in my opinion
should have been kept in repair by the
owner at his expense.
Mr.. Chandler objected to the coal
bill and presented the following reasons
for his objection:
''ithoads and IIealry's coal bill.
Il object TO this bill being paid h"-
cause there was enough coal in the
Court House cellar to have lasted last
spring.
Second Because the public building
committee was not consulted.
Third. They charge $3.50 per ton
when the market price ut that time was
for public buildings, S5; private dwell
ings, $5.25.
Fourth Because it was ordered in
i opcn violation of the laws of Delaware
governing this Levy Court, revised cod"
Il of 1888, page %, section IS, requires foi
n all work and labor hereafter required t.
n be- done and all merchandise, tools, nipple
@ mcniS and machinery to he furnished u
{. had and used hy or for account OF the
e county where the cost in any one par
Y ticular case will probably exceed tho
.sfkum of $500, the Levy Court Commits
< i3eioners shall publicly invite sealed pro
Mosals for doing such work and furnish
"A 1hg such merchandise; ana the work shal
z&H given TO the lowest bidder or bidders
and security may be demanded.
fFifth. | object because if the Goa
had been estimated at that time i
gould have been bought for about $3.G
& per ton, n saving TO the county Of abou
$500.
M sixth. Because the bill calls for 49,
|% tons. There was not 100 tons in TIN
81 Court House cellar this year.
M "Thercfore, | move that the coal bil
s of Rhoads and Healey he referred bacl
sE to the comptroller to investigate; t.
al summon witnesses and experts to meas
III ure the coal to ascertain the number o
81 tons put in the cellar: and summon
~ Rhoads and IIealcy and qualify them T.
2E know the truth about where the Goa
s& went"
" Mr,Lynn said he had ordered the Goa
# aud waS ntisicd to have an invratis
III 1lon liudc though he thought it wnu;
M ~ Il hard mHttcr to invastigl ahou
M coal that had been burned.
III In response to Mr.. Willitts, who sougll
| TO ascertain just what Mr.. Chandler
M purpose was. Mr.. Chandler said he mean
MI /, prove what he had said and coul
5% prove the bulk Of coal put in the celia
M The motion to refer the bill to tn
M comptroller carried.
M The principal objection to Mr.. Philip
M I'LL was that an item for fire brick an
7# clay, $iS was not summarized This bi
and Mr.. l.ynn's for repairs to the DO;
M Wrrr referred back TO the comptroller.
M Sometime ago William Michael Byrr
#;ppcared before the court regarding II
M assessment of the property Of the trs'
)${ line Academy. Heretofore the prOperi
had been exempted from taxation hl
< Hs his year il was assessed The matte
pI taxing property belonging to Il churt
pcigi0uS society or corporation for cha
ltallr uses was brought up and .Attorn,
'4X2 Knowles gave his opinion ms follows
e4t 10 the President and members of tt
2N levy Court:
Gentcmrn-I beg leave to submit 4
following As my opinion in reply to yo
Question apprrtaining to the law .
enpting property belonging to rcligio
societies or corporations from taxation
>H Section !, chapter 16, volume Is, Lay
Spf Delaware. provides that real and pc
fnnal property belonging to n churc
ftlcgiuus society or corporation for eh;
liable uses shall be exempt from tax
'''i i'll'l HSSfSSllltHl lbT
his law Is very broad in its scope, III
2s ny property actually belonging to nj
llSrd hy Il church, religious society or g,
w polation for charitable purposes is n
Etoubtcdly free and exempt from taS
ion. This exemption does not apply
property or properties owned by any sli
rhurch, religious society or corpoi
M ion for religious or charitable purpos
~ pot actually used by them for rcigio
5488pr charitable purposes hut held ana oW
NJ ms Investments.
3 Mr.. Willitts said the opinion broue
Pc matter to the point that such pro
rites are subject to taxation and ask
oncerning the question Of further p
pdure.
& MIR. Knowles replied that there seem
l33 pthing else TO do but for the receiver
ii Mes to insist upon payment.
his resolution was adopted:
4 Resolved. That the receiver of tay
Wilmington ana the collectors of tn,
n the respective hundreds of New G
county are hereby notified that I'll
" he held responsible for all couI
on property belonging to church
$Aglons societies or corporations
Y ''anie purposes, and not actua
Z; or required by such churches.
- societies or corporations for