Evening journal., 1907-01-18
CONVENTION OF
MUNICIPALITIES
ivf
-. 4 l .

Word was received from Mayor
Joseph T. Thompson, Of Lewes, saying
that because of illness he was un-
able to attend the convention. Some
of the city officials in attendance
were Police Commissioner Clarkson'
Clerk William Schell of the Police De-
partment, City Treasurer Charles II.
Blaine, City Engineer George Bough-
man. City Registrar Mahlon Belts,
Councilmen McGovern and McMullin'
William Bancroft and ex-Representa-
tive Willard S. Meredith.
Mayor Wilson caused some discus
sion by bringing up the question OF
fighting fires in the downState towns
when the local fire department is call
ed on for aid. He said;
Recently the fire department was
called to do duty at place near VIII
mington, but the firemen were unable
TO go into service because proper con-
nections could not be made with the
fire hydrants II the towns down the
state would install water hydrants
similar to those in use in Wilmington
the Wilmington firemen could then
easily connect their hose and do good
service. I say this so that at any time
]
fment is needed by any town in the
state, it can do service after going to
the pace where the fire may be-"
Some OF the delegates were Of the
opinion that If an adjustable coupling
was adopted there would be no
trouble to get water. While discussing
the subject the question of fire in
surance rates was brought out, and
/ Councilman McCafferty expressed the
opinion that the insurance companies
are demanding conditions of the hre
department which are impossible. He
said il seemed queer that after test
some time ago made at the request OF
the underwriters, which from the re-
port submitted showed the department
to be in excellent condition, the in
surance rates were increased in near
" every section of the city Recently
another test was made which resulted
lin serious damage TO several or the
steamers by forcing pressure on them
entirely beyond that which they would
have to bear on any occasion.
! Councilman Lynch, Of the Third
ward. thought the insurance compan-
lies should be made TO contribute to-
ward the maintenance OF the fire de-
partment and favored having the Leg
lislature pass law compelling the un--
derwriters doing business in Delaware
to pay a tax.
Liquor License Question.
Colonel Townsend. of Milford
brought up the important question OF
liquor licenses He said about Sss,OOu
Us paid to the State each year by the
liquor interests, and he thought hall
OF this money should be given to the
towns which pay it, and in sections
where there are no town governments
to devote this share Of the liquor tax
for good roads HE did not believe IN
the state getting all the money and
in this he was upheld by every MEM
ber in the convention.
Mr.. Townsend in referring to the
discussion during the morning session
applying to the matter of giving eacf
town home rule, so far as its financial
affairs are concerned, suggested that 9
3 bill be drafted and presented at the
General Assembly providing that al
towns and cities OF the State be giver
the privilege Of submitting to the
qualified voters the question Of Dor.
. rowing money by bond issue, to make
public improvements OF any kind.
Mayor Boyd. Of the New Castle del.
. egation, submitted the suggestion tha'
the Legislature be urged to pass al
this session a law dividing the liquor
license tax with towns and cities HI
said his delegation advocated no in
crease in the license tax, but did thinl
| there should be a division Of the
. money.
Colonel Townsend suggested that Tho
, license might be Increased to abou
$1,000 for frst-class cities and a pro.
portionate increase for smaller towns
He said the state was facing a situa.
: ltion which few persons realize. Their,
lis a bill now before the Legislature
he said. which viii do away with tn,
income from the registration of voters
, and, IL passed, some other source o.
revenue must be found to take IT.
place. II It had not been for th'
; money deposited in the State Treasur,
by electric railway companies. thu
state could not have paid its bills b.
$50. 600 last year.
Mayor Boyd moved that the liquor Ii.
cense question be referred TO the com.
mittee appointed by Mayor Wilson a
the morning session, and his motion
prevailed.
Think Railroads Should Help.
The matter Of more revenue for tn,
State was discussed at some length am
It was the opinion OF most OF the de-.
egates that the railroads and railways
Of the state should pay more tax an;
this matter viii be taken up to-mor
row for further consideration.
Fire Insurance Rates.
Fire insurance rates. according &
the views Of Councilman Lynch, o
the Third ward. should be regulate,
by the Legislature and a reduction o
the rates made. On his motion tn
matter was referred to the old com
mtttee for consideration and a report
Colonel Townsend made the remarl
that there already were thirteen bill
in the hands Of Insurance Commission
/ er Marshall Affecting fire insurance