Evening journal., 1911-12-13
CAN'T AGREE
ON BUILDING
City and County Yet Divided
on the Joint Pro-
ieCt
BONDS SEEMS TO BE
the STUMBLING BLOCK

Another conference between the
Levy Court and City Council was held
yesterday afternoon in the grand jury
room on the proposed joint building
for county and city use Mayor Howell,
Commissioners Dennison and Elliott
expressed themselves in favor OF the
proposition while President Dayett
and Mr. Buckson went on record as
being opposed TO the amalgamation.
Mr.. Thompson was not present. The
other members had no views to offer
on the subject. President Dayett and
Mr.. Bucksons opposition comes main
ly because the present Court House Is
a substantial building and that bonds
in payment for the building begin to
fall due in 1914. The conference ended
without anything definite being decid-
ed.
President Dayett opened the meet
ing by inviting full discussion OF the
subject
Colonel Stover, chairman Of the
Council Finance Committee was the
first speaker and asked for an ex-
preston from the Levy Court mem
bers as to whether they are for or
against the proposition, provided, how
ever, that an agreement can be
reached between the two bodies where
by the plan could be carried out
Levy Court Commissioner Dennison
replied that he had found that the
people of Wilmington are for a Joint
building. Accordingly he could not
but be in favor Of joining with Coun-
Gil in the project.
Bonds The Stumbling Block.
City Councilman Haney asked for
cooperation. The Boulevard, the inn
proved river front and new industries
are in sight, he said, and a new joint
building should not be balked.
Col. Stover then referred to the
stand the grangers had taken in the
matter. He said tho amount of acres
in Wilmington Is small towards that
Of the rural districts. but Wilmington
is paying more revenue into the county
treasury than the rural districts and
for this reason he thought the city
should get some consideration in the
project now being urged.
President Dayett did not believe a
fine building would build up the city as
Col. Stover said. lie thought only
enterprise would have this effect He
did not like the idea Of tearing down
tho Court House on which 500 900 is
due. To this Colonel Stover replied
that the value Of the building has de-
preciated ten per cent. a year.
He asked II City Council was to be-
lieve that the $4,000 bond issue
against the building was the only OBJ
lection to the joint city aud county
idea. MIR. Buckson concurreI in
Mr.. Dayett's views that the indebted
ness against the building is too great
to undertake a Joint project at this
time. Since the buildiag was erect
ed, $4,000 I'm interest has heen paid
on Il. President Dayott said that
the Levy Court could annually pay of
/ $4,000 of bonds against the build.
ing. s4r
Commissioner Elliott said rural
New Castle county should not have a
selfish idea in the matter. He said
he has talked to large taxpayers in
the county. He believed I'm fol-
lowing the majority Of good thinking
men on the subject under discussion
Mayor for the Plan.
Mayor Howell said he realized the
absolute necessity Of a joint building
on the site of the Court House.
He believed the combined building
In indianapolis, Ind. was a splendid
model for Wilmington and New Cas-
! tie county.
Mayor Howell reviewed the visits
Of manufactures to tho city only to
| go away and locate in some other
city. Continuing the Mayor said;
I'VE propose by progresaveness to
make this city rich. Men who we're
in business here thirty years ago are
| gone because they were not progress
sive and guided by business wisdom.
1T is possible 10 get progressive
people and it is time TO help the city.
This county is being filled by our
city residents. We must have a new
public building Our is inadequate
Your building is inadequate, Now lei
US get together"
Councilman zimmerman and
Building Inspector Cassidy also fav-
ored the joint building.