Evening journal., 1903-04-20
.IMun IL urIn an
WITH ii HLLU @E@
RESPONSIBLE?
Property Owners Who Suf-
fered Because of Flood
May Sue the City
WATER JUST BEGINNING TO RECEDE

Total Extent Of Damage Caused BY
the Delaware River Breaking Its
Banks is Not Yet Known, But Will
Be Large.
There IS some talk of the manufac-
turers of South Wilmington who own
property in that section Of the city
damaged by the recent flood, suing
the city for damages. 1t is claimed
that had proper attention been given
in providing against an overflow. no
loss would have occurred, as a result of
the recent heavy rains.
Among the small manufacturing es-
adjustments damaged more or less by
the flood, were: The Wilmington Ma
chine Company. Charles T. Bickta, the
Cold Spring Ice ant Coal Company.
and the lumber yard CT Victor r. Pyle.
Nothing definite, however, has as yet
been decided upon, and what action is
contemplated can only be conjectured.
When seen by a reporter of the
Evening Journal this morning relative
to the matter, Victor r. Pyle had the
following to say in answer to ques-
tions asked by the newspaper man:
DO you intend to sue the city for
damages TO your establishment occa-
stoned by the recent nood?"
I'VE should sue somebody" was Mr.
Pyle's answer, but have not decided
upon pbat course to pursue"
Have you asked for legal advice in
the matter?"
mo, we do not as yet know what the
extent OF the damage will be, as the
water has just begun to recede."
Manager Cleland, of the Cool Spring
Ice and Coal Company. had nothing to
say regarding what action would be
taken. He said he was not ready to
talk
A number of other business men on
the south side feel the same as Mr..
Pyle on the subject. and something
may be done within a short time.
A prominent city official when
spoken to about the matter, said that
the city could in no way be held re-
sponsible for the breaking of the river
bank, as it has never had anything to
do whatever in connection with the
maintenance of dyke.
THE owners Of the land along the
river front" continued the official.
have kept the embankment in good
condition for years, and it was only
through neglect or carelessness on the
part of the owners that the break oc-
Cured.
The Cherry Island Marsh Company
and the Lobden Car Wheel Company
maintain a bank and in return, the
land they possess along the river front
is exempt from taxation.
This rule applies also to all other
owners of lowland there. but it ap-
pears that somebody has been Sinking
their duty with regard to keeping their
portion of the embankment in good
shape"
President Lawton, of the Board oi
Trade, said this morning that he could
not see where the city could be held
liable for any damage done through
the breaking Of the river bank. and
also claimed there is no law to compel
people owning land along the rive
front TO keep up an embankment FOL
the purpose of preventing floods. III
the city authorities came on our lanC
we would simply kick them off," sal,
Mr. Lawton, "and suppose the sam'
rule governing our charter relative tc
owners of marsh land, applies also tC
all other owners Of river front land"
"The Board of Health may hav,
some power in the matter" continued
Mr.. Lawton, "but other than to compe
land owners to drain their lots. In fact
don't see where water could be drained
as the land is lower than the tide
There is absolutely nothing that can bC
done. as far as can see. toward fxinl
the responsibility on anybody. If tn
city should go to the land owners alonl
the river front, and inform them tina
they must keep up an embankment
there is every likelihood of the authori
J ties being told to do the work them
| selves as some land holders would b.
r owners being more willing in samI
q more willing TO pay taxes than main
4 tain a dyke fronting their land"