Evening journal., 1910-03-08
MR.. BANNING
TALKS TO MEN
Raises Questions as to
Whether the Free Library
is an Expensive Luxury"
DISCUSSES SOME OF
CITY'S PROBLEMS

Addressing the Mems Club OF ST.
Andrews Episcopal Church last night.
James l.. Banning among other state
ments said that the appropriation from
the city TO the Institute Free Library
seems too large. The library is now get
ting $4,000 a year and Mr.. Banning
regarded this as IAN expensive luxury"
He cited that most of the money ap-
propriated to the library is expended
for the purchase of books. particularly
fiction, and that there is no attention
paid to caring for or fumigating books
from the health standpoint. He raised
the question of whether or not the ap-
preparation TO the Library which is
automatically fixed by act Of the
Legislature and must be paid by Coun-
Gil is too large unless better use is
made of IT,
Referring to the Institute Free
Library Mr.. Banning said in part: THE
assessed value of the property Of the
city of Wilmington is 100000 000 IL
requires the revenue OF nearly Sl000,000
of this sum to support the Institute
Free Library. This, at time when we
have great difficulty in meeting the
financial needs of the city. Conse-
queRtly the Institute Free Library
seems like an expensive luxury"
Mr.. Banning addressed the Mems
Club on "Our City Government" and
after making a formal address. he
answered questions during a general
discussion and suggested number of
Innovations for the municipality. He
thought the city should have at least
twenty more policemen. but he didn't
know where the money for them would
come from. He also thought the Po
lice Department should have respect
able quarters" and that q. tax expert
should be employed 10 assist the Board
of Assessment. Revision and Appeals
He lauded the Fire Department for Civ
ing the city service that cost other
cities twice as much. The Water De-
partment was termed the city's best
producer" Mr. Banning emphasized
the "home rule" necessity and pointed
out that the Legislature by law fixes
many appropriations that must be paid
by the city.
Mr. Banning spoke OF the recent Second
Ward Councilmanic contest as one of the
unpleasurable incidents in a Councilman 6
life.
He said '1n any organization, whether
It may be a church vestry, a. board Of
hank directors or the City Council. I mas
say. that no action can be more distasie'
ful 70 a body Of men than that of sitiinl
in Judgment of one Of IT'S own members
yet that was one OF the strenuously dis.
agreeable tasks that fell to the lot Of the
present City Council"
Lauds Police and Firenen.
In speaking Of the police aud fire de-
partments Mr.. Banning had kindly words
to say for the members of both. He con-
sidered that Wilmington was not sufh-
GENTLY policed and stated that at least
twenty more patrolmen were needed. lie
/ spoke Of the large territory the present
force is compelled to cover. and also CON
sidered that better accommodations should
be provided for them at the City Hall
The fire department Of the city he con-
sidered was one Of the best in any city
Of the size Of Wilmington. He spoke OF
the bravery Of the members Of the depart
ment and Of their willingness. at any time
to respond TO alarms of fire. either day
or night.
In speaking OF tho new filter ant at the
Weldin Farm Mr.. Banning said that while
the plant did cost a million dollars good
water was absolutely necessary in any
city and he thought the money was wei
expended. lie said that although the in
debtedness of the city was large it could
show good assets for it in the way Of
parks, filter plants, etc