Evening journal., 1911-04-19
MAYOR BOOMS
HIS CANDIDACY
UnpledGed He Says and If
Elected Will Work 0nly
for City
WANTS TO CARRY OUT
HIS EARLY PROMISES

Mayor Harvey Spruance. who Is
candidate to succeed himself, gave out
his reasons today for desiring to
again become head OF the city Govern
ment. The Mayor said he had many
things I'm mind for the Improvement
of the city of Wilmington, which he
would like to see successfully carried
out I'm the event Of the citizens OF
Wilmington electing him again to that
Office He said that unfortunately.
his present administration had been
seriously handicapped by an adverse
decision OF the Court, which made
him "de facto" official, without
authority to properly promulgate such
reforms during most Of his present
administration.
Wants the River Road.
"One OF the greatest needs OF Will
mington to my mind" said the Mayor.
lis a road to the river. With our
present railroad facilities and a river
front, we could successfully compete
with other large cities, and / have no
doubt that when such is attained VIII
mington's growth will be phenomenal.
II reelected, ! will advocate such n
road. and do everything in my power
TO accomplish II"
"On the question Of parks, must
say, that / am entirely In accord with
any movement to improve the living
conditions Of our citizens. Many are
denied, through their financial condi-
ton, the enjoyment which wealth
gives, and ! would strictly urge that n
considerable portion Of the money
provided by an Act OF the last Legis-
lature for a loan for park purposes.
be expended in the congested districts
In order that better conditions may
be provided for the people who live
there, particularly, on warm and sui
try nights. While not opposed to our
present. park system, | must certainly
say that Fairgrounds, bath-houses and
small parks In the poorer SECTIONS OF
the city should be first provided. No
one knows better than a physician OF
4 the suffering that exists in the Sec
1 tions OF which ] speak particulariy
during the summer months. and such
n places OF recreation would be a God
send TO those compelled 10 dwell +,
these thickly settled paris
b In this respect. may also speak
OF my project for the erection OF a
Municipal Hospital. which I advocat-
h ed during my present administration.
, and to which ! found some opposi-
tion. feel sure that If the matter
was properly understood the people
of the city would agree with me. that
such an institution is essential to tho
city for the poorer class Of people.
and they would find it most beneficial.
II would not be a pesthouse, in the
sense that some seem to think, but II
would be a hospital where all kinds Of
contagious diseases would be properly
treated and patients would be as
sured Of a better means of recovery
than in their own homes. People who
can afford It, have no need for such
a hospital, as money would get tho
attention needed. but with the poor
n is different. I see much suffering.
and have been called upon to treat
persons. infected with contagious dis
ease. sleeping and living IN the same
! room with others. in many cases.
mothers and children huddled togeth-
j. er I'm one room, with the sick and be-
n cause OF the present quarantine sys-
d TEN, practically no quarantine Is
T. maintained.
n Lighting of City.
"The force Of executive officers at
= the command OF the Health Board Is
/, limited and is therefore not able 70
= properly attend TO all that It Is called
= upon TO look after A father goes to
\ and from his work. sitting IN the car
beside perhaps. some mother who has
babies At home, and he unconsciously
spreads the disease. A hospital OF
the kind Of which / speak, you may
/, readily see. Is a necessity. and you
Z may be sure It could be maintained at
a reasonable cost, under the super
vision Of the Board of Health.
q There are two other matters.
q which to my mind should not be neg
n lected. viz: The better lighting and
! policing of the city of Wilmington
N which is far behind that of other
m cities Of its size in this respect We
le should have white way along Market
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