Evening journal., 1911-03-10
WANT CITY A
LEGAL BODY
Council Committee viii Urge
Legislature to Act In
Matter at 8nCe
TALK AGAIN OF A
CITY LIGHT PLANT

| Wilmington Councllmen, as Wen as
citizens Of Wilmington, want Council
! legally organized, although bill max
/ ing the present City Council legal
has been before the General Assem-
bly, for several weeks no action has
yet been taken on it. and as result
of this inaction members OF City Coun-
l.cil last night unanimously agreed a
special committee should go to Dover
/ at once TO ask the Legislature to le-
galize the city. More than year
ago the Court en- banc declared that
City Council was a defacto body, and
its members are anxious that the
Legislature set them straight.
The following resolution was pre-
sented to Council lasy evening by
Mr.. Dempsey, and was unanimously
adopted;
Whereas, under a decision of the
Court en- banc recently delivered, the
legal status of the present city adj
ministration is extremely doubtful,
And whereas, certain bills have been
presented 10 the Legislature of the
State OF Delaware for the purpose of
correcting any defects in the present
/ administration, and
Whereas, no action seems to have
been taken on said bills, notwith-
standing the imperative necessity of
legalizing the present administration
at once, and
Whereas, by such delay the Off
cials of the city of Wilmington are
seriously handicapped needed i'm
provements delayed. and city legis-
lation blocked, therefore be it
Resolved by the Council of the
Mayor and Council of Wilmington,
that the President of Council ap-
point committee of FIVE. who to-
gether with the Mayor and City So
lictor shall appear before said Leg
islature at it's convenience and re-
quest immediate action on the part
of Legislature toward legalizing the
present city administration, and be
It further
Resolved, That copy of these
resolutions be sent to the speaker
and members of the House of Rem
resentatives and the president and
members of the Senate of the Gen
eral Assembly of the State Of Della
ware"
The law committee comprised of
Councilman McGovern, Kane, Con-
way, Higgins and Benson to act with
the Mayor and City Solicitor as a
committee to go before the Legisla-
ture and urge that the bills relating
TO the legalizing of Wilmington's city
government be passed. This commit
tee Will notify the Legislature of
Councils action and await a replv
stating a time when they will be
given hearing
Reject the Wharf Bids.
City Council has rejected all bids
for the city wharf properties and will
not ask for more. The members con-
slider the bids entirely too low. BY
resolution, last evening. the building
committee was given charge of the
wharves and have the power to rent
them without handing them out at
auction.
The following report was received
from the Fire Committee;
Your fire committee desire to re-
port having made the semi-annual in
spection OF the Wilmington Fire De-
partment on February 26 and q, 1911
and found that the individual COM
panies are maintaining their appara-
tus and equipment up TO high stand
ard Of efficiency in order to comply in
every way with the details of the con-
tracts entered into with the city foI
the purpose of eXtinguishing fires in
this city. Your committee found that
the Weccacoe Steam Fire Engine
Company has placed in service a new
and powerful steam fire engine, ant
that the Water Witch Steam Fire En-
CINE Company is about TO place il
operation in this city two pieces o
apparatus OF the automobile class q
replace part Of their present equip
ment. Your committee also desire
to express their appreciation OF tn
courtesies shown the members o
Council during their inspection
Talk of Lighting Plant.
At the meeting last evening MI
Conway reminded the body that som
weeks ago committe on lighting
had been appointed and that no re
port had been received from them
Mr.. Kane told him that the Chairman
of the committee was absent but tina
a report would be made soon MI
Conway expressed the fear that tn
Legislature would adjourn before tn
committee did anything towards
municipal lighting plant Mr.. Kan
said that there was no fear OF that.
Councilman Benson acted as presi
dent last evening and John J. Nc
Govern acted as clerk.
Councilman DuROss presented
Communication from the Police Con
mfssioners asking that that deparl