Evening journal., 1912-05-13
MONDAY, MAY I3, 1912
Rr srNsIRIr AM EFFECTIVE.


rAr uMINGToN taxpayers will assemble In Cly
wv Han ON Wednesday evening to express their
opinion ON the riverfront exploitation plan OF the WIZ
mngton Terminal Company and its allies lnat tne
work Of those who opposed TO this piah eoinB
through shall be effective, It is OF paramount I'M
porance that What they do that meeting be sensi-
bic i'm all respects.
The Delaware Legislature Of 1901, actuated by mis-
ruded excess Of zeal to-do something for the city OF
Wilmington passed the so-called Delaware river water
front bulkhcad law.
citv Council of Wilmington also actuatcd by mis-
guided excess ZEAL has hocn inclined to enter into
an agreement with the Wilmington Terminal Company
and It's allies to become small partner in the river
front development plan
II should he impressed on the minds Of members
Of City Council Wednesday night that the bulk
head law of 1901 SHOULD he repealed by the Legisa-
ture At it's next session to tho end that gross in
Justice sought TO be inflicted the people Of this
city and state may be rghted
II also should be impressed upon the minds Of the
members of City Council that lawyers Of unquestoned
standing say that mat law be repealed effective
y as Il is not completed act. and that they add that
the law in an likelihood is unconstitutional in that tho
title does set forth tho purposes Of the act and
that it also carries with provision for the frerng
away to private interests Of than 500 acres Of
land under that the State holds in trust for the
people
Therefore those who attend the meeting should urge
that CITY Council in order that il may not be a
rarty TO a great injustice done TO tho people shall
defer action until the Legislature may repeal that
bulkhead law or until its constiiutonality may be
tested in tho courts
II should be made clear 70 the City Councimen by
those who desire to the public interest that
while tho owners that riyerfront property unques-
Honably own down to low water mark, they have no
lille beyond that mark except such tho so-called
bulkhcad law OF 1901 seeks to confer upon them
an act the constituiionaly Of which doubtless
fff I,n do a., hia
present plan through City Council Those Council
men should be reminded that that bulkhead law will
not become effective and that the state cannot pass
title to the 500 or acres Of land under water
until the bulkhead has been built and the land hlec
IN That is one OF tho chief why tho
Wilmington Terminal Company and its allies arc SO
eager 10 have the proposed agreement put through
now 50 tho Federal Government viii do the hukhead
ing and tho hling the city VII assist tho private
in getting through additional LEGISLATION per
feciinr fhe co-cslied title Of Inc waterfront owners
the states land under water between present low
rsts- mark and the proposed bulkhesd
The speakers also should bear in mind that unques-
fiorzbir those waterfront have the right Of
access 10 the river and that II il be taken away
from them fhey win tave 70 be compensated for IL
tut that under the proposed plan they get without
any expense whatever more than 500 acres Of land
shs title 10 which nov vests in tho State
There are many persons who doubt that tho legisa-
tors realized. when they passed that hukhead law,
what IN injustice fhey attempting work upon
the public by fritfsring away Than 500 acres
of land under water that belongs 10 the people and
tA=s - a=ia 81 trust ~ fhr State for the people
There many who think that when tho facts in
this made known 10 the legislators the next
session they VIII right without delay the wrong that
was sought 70 be done IN 1901
It also may be said that there are many others who
think City Council should reject the proposed agree
ment and serve notice the ryerfront land owners
that unless they consent 10 give 10 the city
at least one-hsf Of all that waterfront and Of the
State land under water. and make that division ex-
tend from the buikhead back 10 the present rnarsh
bank that steps should be in the Legislature
and IN the courts upset buIkhead law OF 1901
and to have the State develop that land under water
or the benefit Of the public. paying 70 the priyat,
from access to the river.