Smyrna times., 1907-01-30
COUNCIL GETS IN DEBATE
OVER SMELLING STREETS
STREET COMMITTEE WANTS MUD WITH
SHELLS, COUNCIL WANTS MUD OFF.
1t Was Finally Eecided TO Try Both Ways
Chairman Robinson Purchases 5, 900 Bush
els Shells Phone Ordered For Policeman

1t Was Finally Eecided TO Try Both Ways
Chairman Robinson Purchases 5, 900 Bush
els Shells Phone Ordered For Policeman
At the meeting of the Smyrna Town
Council last Friday evening, Chair
man James G. Robinson, of the Street
Committee, reported that he had pur.
chased 5000 bushels of oyster shells
for use on the streets, and that 1t was
his intention as soon as the weather
permitted to begin on Commerce street,
on the square between Union aud Pearl
streets. This announcement brought
out considerable discussion as to meth
DDS to be used. Mr. Robinson still
contended that it was right and proper
to mix the shells and the mud together.
In this he was supported by Council
man Wright, also of the Street Com
mittee. Messrs. Grieves, Hudson and
other members differed with the COM
mittee in the methods used and de-
clared it would be far more expedient
to scrape the mud off, pick the street
where the shells had been laid before
aud allow the old and new shells to
knit together. The discussion at times
grew very spirited, Mr.. Robinson con-
tending that the mud was not more
than two or three inches deep and was
| help rather than. hindrance He
discounted the idea set forth by Theo-
dore Townsend, of Milford, that oyster
shelied streets breed typhoid fever
germs and advanced the statement
that he and other members of the
| Council had been eating oysters for
many years without contracting dis
ease. The matter of shelling streets
was finally brought to the point where
it was decided to experiment on two
squares, one with the mud left on and
the other with the mud scraped off and
see which plan worked the better. 1t
was agreed to lay shells on thick and to
give it every test.
Phone Ordered In Policeman Turner's Residence
Council took an important step in
the right direction by ordering adlele-
phone placed in the residence of thief
of-Police Benjamin w. Turner. Some.
time ago this question was agitated
and even brought before Council but
nothing was done with the matter.
Friday night the question was brought
up incidentally and since it was learned
that Smyrna was not taxing the Dia
mond State Telephone Company, when
other towns were, it was deemed but
fair to ask that they give the town two
phones free of charge. one at the Elec
trio Light Station, already installed
and one at the residence of Chief-of-
Police Turner on west Commerce
street. In the latter case it was argued
that by having phone connection with
Policeman Turner it would be anothe
step in perfecting our police system
Now that Smyrna has all-night service
it will enable our residents to keep il
touch with Policeman Turner when
ever needed, night or day. On motion
of Councilman Hudson and unani
mously passed by Council, the Dia
mond State Telephone Company wa
requested to install a phone in Nh
, Turner's residence at once, withou
/. charge, for the use of the town.
Secretary Grieves on Municipal Convention
Secretary Grieves reported that tht
Light and Water Committee woul
Q probably be able to make report o.
4 the boiler at the next meeting. H
| also made report of the visit to tn
| Municipal Convention at Wilmington
: He thought the Convention would re
suit in good to all towns of the State
s The "Home Rule Plan" by which al
5 cities and towns should be given th
. privilege of making improvements b.
. the voice of the taxpayers, withou
having to apply to the Legislature
was favorably received. Towns unde
this plan are not to be bonded exceed
! ing ten per cent of the assessed valu
VA PiOPCAOJs LhO ou6 6OoblOu ludQo ~
emergency hospitals for Kent and Sus
9 sex was also favorably received.
matter talked of at the Convention wa
. in regard to public franchise Som
thought telephone poles should b
taxed, and found that some towns il
> the State taxed poles. Another matte
: was that all towns down the Stat
y should have extra connections mad
Q for fire plugs to fit the Wilmington fir
}; engines in case a call should be sen
!; them to help fight a fire. Counci
K thought this uniform fire plug idea
/ good one and suggested that Secretar
l. Grieves look into the cost of same
, Mr.. Grieves spoke particularly of th
hospitality of the delegates, and of th
: excellent entertainment afforded
:. Council adjourned after allowing bill