Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1906-03-24

Residents of the Twelfth ward, ire
s,e,tive OF politics, held an enthusiastic
ms.smeeting last night, at the clubhouse
n Inc welfth Ward Democratic Club,
for the purpose Of discussing the poor con
dition Of many of the streets in that ward
sndtsking such action as might be deemed
nroper to bring about better condition.
Tbe attendance was large and repre-
.entative. President a. L. Johnson and
Secretary L. V. Cristy of the Street and
Sewer Department were present.
The meeting was called to order by
ry Councilman Richard c. McAmllcn,
Vao stated the object OF the meeting
yf Horace w Bradley was aieeied
-idll' and Ernest j Often. aeeiet4ry
Vote being unanimous
NaIar SIMON p. Donerty pointed ou,
tae necessity tor improy ement. lie said
r0 ody, was welcome 70 express him-
.f .uO lo\hOpod all would 20 50. lie
4u lt rly All ol the streets wesf oi oearles
us.a improvement. but nc tnolgut tAe
p0peI tuing 10 &c would be 10 take up
on street al a time de spoke OF the
ABSENCE not only OF street paving, but also
OF sidewalks He thought If Fourth street
lawn avenue or the railroad bridge that
would afford some relief. West Of Union
street, he said, there is no paving except
small stretch on WoodlaWn avenue. He
said what the people wanted was to know
what the Street and Sewer Department
can do in improving one or two streets so
as to connect the eastern and western
ends OF tie ward. Mr.. Doherty said it
10 o~or4ral fkof tho das,a,.f ,ar,f Nic
short of money, and he believed that to
be true, but he thought the ward was
entitled to something.
Ex-Councilman Charles NJ. Zebley spoke
Of Second and some other much-used
streets being in bad shape. He expressed
the opinion that it might be well for the
department apportion' to each ward its
share OF the money allowed for improve
ments, in proportion to the taxes paid IN
the ward.
Councilman McMullen favored the inn
ment Of Fourth street to Woodlawn
avenue, thence to Third street, which
would give an outlet for the people going
in that direction. He said children have
10 sit in school with wet feet because they
have to 20 through the mud. He said
li the department would do something
pave one OF two blocks every year-the
people would appreciate it and realize
that they were not forgotten.
Chairman Bradley said organized effort
will accomplish something where in
divdual kicking will not.
Franz Gengelbach said he has IA proper
ties. but street improvements are lacking,
whereas if he had some Improvements
he could get more rent. He said the
streets were in bad condition from Lam
caster avenue and Scott street to Fifth.
John p Twaddell said he wanted TO
know how much money had been spent
in the Twelfth Tard by the department
in the past eight or nine years. He said
he did not believe that $50 had been
spent on Fourth street from Monroe tc
Rodney. and it is in deplorable condition
He said the people have been paying theil
taxes without complaining and the money
is being spent elsewhere. He said the
tax on his house was raised because he put
little paint on il. He said he bad some
little lots and if he put $4,000 worth o
houses on them he would be taxed fol
them, while the Pennsylvania railroad
can put millions Of dollars worth of i'm
provements on its property and their ia,
cannot be raised, and then the railroad
company wants to take the revenuI
away by providing their own water. HI
said II this was law IL was pretty poo
law and should be gotten in proper shape
He thought there ought to be enoug
sensible men in Wilmington to know hoy
to levy an equitable tax.
Driver McNally OF the Union Fire &c
thought Union street should be repaire
from Lancaster avenue to Pennsylvani
avenue. The apparatus had run owe
it few nights ago and had TO come bac
by way of du Pont street. He pointe
out where it would be necessary for hI
apparatus to 20 a roundabout way
reach many OF the important building
in that ward in the event Of fire, whic
Il is a very serious matter. as loss OF tin
IN case Of fire means a great deal.
Walter A. Grant spoke of childre
walking through mud to get to schoo
He said he understood that the railwa!
had to pave three feet outside of the
tracks. but. apparently, they did not {
4 10. He said there is a suit against q
city because Of a man falling into dele
tive place in Fourth street.
DR. Bradley said one night he went o.
IN the western part of the ward on g si'
call and fell in the mud and presents
such peculiar appearance that the peop
did not want to let him In.
Mr. Doherty wanted to knom why q
sidewalks were not laid, when the pro
erty owners were required to do IN
without cost TO the city.
Harmon Henderer, who lives on Woo
lawn avenue near Third street, said abo
10 years ago he and some others were no
ned 70 curb and pave in front Of tn,
properties in 10 days. He did so, as d
also some Others. but some have not col
q piled with the order yet. He spoke
the interest Of making crossings VIII
can be used by the children going TO al
from the schools in the ward.
Street and Sewer Director Johnson sa