Evening journal., 1911-11-15
Council and Levy Court Talk
Over Joint Building Proposition

Mayor Harrison w. Howell and nine
members of City Council held con-
ference yesterday afternoon with the
New Castle County Levy Court in ref
erence TO the election of a twin county
and city building on the Court House
square. During the conference there
came near being a tilt between mem
bers of the two bodies. Some of the
Council members could not under
stand why the Levy Court had not
considered the two building proposi
ton Another member said the Levy
Court would be throwing away $780,
600 if it were decided to build an an
mex to the present building. William r.
Stover, chairman of the Council FL
nance Committee, likened an annex on
the present building to a wart on a
mans face, and Mr.. Perkins denied
with some emphasis that he is an
"old fogy."
The upshot of it all was that the
Levy Court will consider the Councils
proposition and send a reply to Coun-
Gil. During the afternoon Chairman
Dayett said he did not think It neces-
sary to ask the Governor to call d
special session of the Legislature to
NUUlON0 Alli pau III AtHt Ahl AOAAbAAtu
city and county building idea Is
adopted
In opening the conference, Mayor
Howell said the conference was to
consider the necessity of a new public
building. He said there is not a
dissenting voice in City Council
against the joint building plan. He
thought such building would fill the
lie of 40 .ffx t,H ra.
years. The Mayor said he hoped the
Levy Court would accept Councils
proposition and aid in the movement
Tor a combined building.
Suggests a Commission.
Col. Slower. who was spokesman for
Council, said at present the city Of
ices are scattered in different build
ings, which cost upwards of $4,000
year for upkeep. Continuing, Col
Stover said:
1.-THE assessed value of property in
the city for county purposes is S40,-
100000, and in uruol New Castle coun-
ty S19,0O0,000 The building we pro-
pose would cost S1,000,000 the county
paying 100000 and the city $500,000
Let us show to the county that Will
mington is progressive. Last week
when / appeared before the Levy
Court, something was said about de-
4 lay. I feel the Governor would deem
this question of sufficient Importance
\ TO call a special session Of the Legis-
lature to authorize the issuance Of
bonds for the work if we can agree
4 This is the time to build, as the coun-
~ and the city can never build more
rheaply than at present.
! Argument might be made that we
are not ready to issue these bonds,
but there are avenues from which
will come money than will more than
} bay the interest on them. New Castle
county is financially able to put up n
! building that will be a credit to the
4 rity and county. a credit to its peo-
pie and an honor to the state
Colonel Stover thought the build
\ ing should be built by a commission
! TO be named by the Governor. He
thought such a commission would see
that every cent of the bond issue
would BE- spent on the building.
\ Levy Court Satisfied.
At this point Mayor Howell asked
i for the views of the Levy Court on
II The project
lEoAutlA Bdl NtN oAAe WNAlA NAeh ~
lid not favor special session of the
Il Legislature to authorize the bond
issue for the project. So far as the
H Levy Court is concerned, he said. the
III members had not considered the join
Il building question and would like to
II talk il over among themselves.
IA Mr. Perkins said he had given the
4 county building subject much thought
4r.T1- aaaa nil Asraa
An lawyers and business men and they
said 100000 building would De
sufficient for many years. We had
N different plans drawn and about the
time we got ready to work there
came objection. Now comes the agi-
tation for a combined building that
the people in general would endorse
II The Levy Court wants to do the prop
er thing
Councilman Haney advocated the
combined building that will last fol
years. He said the city decided The
IA ground at Tenth and Market streets
for county purposes and in years tC
come with a twin building on the site
the county could use both and the
n city could build building of its own
NJ Councilmen Zimmerman and Hig
gins also advocated a twin building
as a necessity. They said the presen
sf City Hall is inadequate for a city o.
10000 inhabitants. They said the cit.
offices are scattered in all sections
and that the cost of the ground would
j be half that of the citys share anC
~ would be fully s5OO,O0O The Council
men thought this was the time t
build
Il Where is City Halll
Mayor Howell then said a gentle
4 man had called on him and asked
4 ! Where is the City Hall?' The Mayo