Evening journal., 1912-05-10
FRIDAY, MAY 10. 1912
CorNcuMEN ACT WISELY.

IT HE EVENING JOURNAL desires TO extend to tho
members of City Council it's sincere oonsratula-
upon the action they took last night in refusng 10
Jam through Council tho Delaware River Waterfront
Exploitation Scheme that had been framed up by the
Wilmington Terminal Company and it's allies Further
congraulation due to the Councilmen on the TACT
that they have decided that nothing shall be done
by them on the proposition until the taxpayers and the
pubc-spriicd citizens of city shall have mad an
opportunity to be heard for or against the scheme
The fact that the Councimen have set apart next
wednesday night for a public hearing in City Hall also
speaks well them. II shows that at last they realize
that such large proposition as the exploitation or
the development the Delaware river waterfront with
public money, the taxpayers have right to be heard
II is the announced purpose OF the Councimcn to sit
as a committee Of the whole on that evening and
hear anyone who has anything 70 say on the question
That is fair arrangement and one OF which public
spirited citizens and taxpayers should avail them
selves
one Of the truly significant events at the meeting
last night was the grossly discourteous treatment
accorded 10 a conservative and sensible letter from
William r. Kurtz the ryerfront question. On mo-
tlon Of Councilman stovor, Council dispensed with the
reading Of that communication 1t was noticed, how
over that when a communication presented from
the Wilmington Terminal Company and its allies, 1t
and the Councmen sat at attention, drinking
in every word written by those marsh land owners.
That Councilmen Stoyer, Haney and Conner spoke in
resentment Of criticism their in this river
front deal is not surprising. Nor is it surprising
that nothing they said had any material bearing on
the great question involved. The fact that stands
all others that the riverfront exploitation
scheme was iammed through Council and that the
taxpayers TO have a public hearing It next
Wednesday evening Everything else is mat
ter ofdetail
There is no doubt whatever that the men who are
behind this Wilmington Terminal Companys exploita-
tion scheme entered into the star Chamber negota-
lions with the City Councimen fully expecting have
the entire thing approved and signed before the public
knew the negotiations we're That pre-
by the publicity that resulted from forcing open
the door Of the Star Chamber. Now the plan to Jam
the thing through has blocked by the City Council
boVing to strong public sentiment against such
Il is clearly up TO the taxpayers attend that
public hearing on next Wednesday night and make
themselves heard II they do that believe the
spirit Of fairness which actuated the Councilmen to
provide for that public hearing will actuate them
20 give 10 the taxpayers. rich and poor alike the
respectful hearing TO which they entitled. II the
taxpayers do attend that meeting and do make
their wishes known, they be prepared to take tho
consequences.
There is pleasing feature Of this unpleasant con-
troversy that is that there has been allegation
of corrupt practices in connection with it, The trouble
that the Councmen in their eagerness to get
for the city what they regarded something moth
ing, permitted the marsh land exploiters to induce
them do things they never should have done. The
offense Of all they committed in refusing 20
take tho taxpayng public into their confidence. and
permitting those interested in putting the deal
through to induce them to do the work behind closed
doors That never pays in great republican com
munity such this is. The people frsnkness
and aboveboard dealing by their public officials No
doubt by this time the City Councilmen realize it. In
reality that is shown by the fact that they have
ferred action and provided for the public hearing
We now urge every taxpayer who goes that public
hearing 70 keep uppermost his mind the fact that
our city needs piers and warehouses the Delaware
river waterfront and that should do everything 81
can Of an honorable nature obtain them Such tax
payers should insist, however. that il the city be
the partner of the of that waterfront property
in the work Of its development it be admitted
that partnership equal and that interests
OF the taxpayers be fully protected. think would
be happy solution of the question if the entire pro
position were referred back and new negotiations o
public nature resorted with the aim Of gettns
tor the city that to which clearly is entitled II il
TO use its money and its influence to assist in putns
through plan that is absolutely dependent upon th
cy's aid
The best solution Of all would be for the city Z,
sondssan and take the waterfront as was sur