Evening journal., 1912-06-21

Ddnlth anu ilt city dhu luc Ace"' !
sufficiency of the instruments intend
ed to convey the same to the city,
we are advised that under the ordin-
ance Of June 30th 1859, you are not
at liberty to enter into the proposed |
agreement now pending before the
Council and the Street and Sewer
Department, intended to carry the
results of such negotiations into ef-
feet. We beg 10 assure you and the
citizens of Wilmington that we sim
cerely regret that this agreement,
which has met with the almost
unanimous approval of the press OF
the city, the so general commenda-
ton of its thoughtful citizens, and the
endorsement of the Board OF Trade,
and which was the result of such a
laborious and honorable endeavor on
the part of the Council, the Street
and Sewer department and ourselves
to benefit the city, must be abandon
ed The responsibility Tor such
abandonment rests with the legal de-
partment of the city, where II natu-
rally and properly must rest, under
the law. The opinion OF the city so
licitor. we are advised, is conclusive
upon vou. Under these circum-
stances, we hereby definitely and fin
ally withdraw from the negotiations
relating to river front lands, hereto
fore pending between you and our
companies, and definitely and finally
withdraw our offer which was the
fruit of such negotiations.
We hope and expect that at some
later, even though far distant, time,
our companies OF their successors IN
title may enter into some new agree
ment with Wilmington, which VIII
meet with a like general acceptance
and. at the same time, meet the ap-
proval of the law department OF the
city
In view Of the character of the
criticism to which the members OF
the Council and our companies have
been subjected, in a certain quarter,
we beg your indulgence for a short
statement of facts, as true record
of the negotiations which are closed
herewith
These negotiations we're initiated
solely by the Council, through its
special committee No person repre-
senting our companies solicited, or in
any manner or degree procured, the
beginning of such negotiations. These
negotiations have continued at the
sole instance Of the Council and of
the Board of Trade committee. No
person representing our companies
has ever to any degree pressed for
their continuance, or at any time or
in any manner attempted to exercise
any influence, personal or otherwise,
upon the Council or any of its mem
bers for their continuance The earl
Ter negotiations consisted Of oral dis
f1,o rrnafo1 init
tee. (Which was soon supplemented
by the cooperation of the navigation
committee of the CounciD, and the
representatives of our companies, and
of the exchange, from time to time
of written propositions, sometimes
originating from the Council anc
sometimes from our companies. AS
soon as an agreement was substan.
TALLY approached. the entire Council
as a committee of the whole, attend
ed all meetings for the consideration
Of succeeding propositions. Materia
changes in the proposed terms of the
agreement were from time to tim.
made with the full approval OF tn,
whole Council, the Street and Sewer
Department, the Board of Trade com
mittee and our companies Their,
was a sincere desire on the part o.
every one concerned to deal Will
the whole matter, with justice to tn,
city and 10 the riparian owners con
cerned. The Board of Trade commit
tee attended at all conferences.
There was never any expectation OF
intention to consummate the agree.
ment without full knowledge of the
people of Wilmington. Inasmuch as
Il could only be entered into by ordi-
nance. regularly passed by the Coun.
Gil. by resolutions regularly passed
by the Street and Sewer Department
with the written approval of the City
Solicitor, and upon its execution by
the Mayor,it is obvious that any secret
agreement was impossible.
No one ever intended any Irregular
ity in procedure The title of tn,
city was dependant upon regularity
Too much hard labor and carefu
thought had been expended upon tn,
matter by all parties. so that neither
side would risk any short cuts or lacl
Of due procedure.
The negotiations prior to the pub
lication of the proposed agreemen
were conducted i'm the only way sucl
negotiations ever could, or ever will
be carried on, between the city an,
business men.
No effort has ever been made L
, liam the agreement through" tn
Council No member Of Council hai
ever been requested by one represent
ing our companies TO vote for it, NJ
influence of any sort or degree ha
been brought to bear by our com
panies or any person representinl
them, to procure the passage Of th
ordinance embodying the agreemen
through the Council. Our only cela
tions with Council or its members
or with the Street and Sewer Depart
ment or its members. IN this Who'll
r connection. has been limited to the at
tendance of our representatives a
meetings of the committees or q
Council and always upon Invitation
and never at our request, for tn
open discussion of the agreement.
Under the agreement the city Q
Wilmington would have acquire
title, without cost to it, of over 1,60
feet OF river front in the choicest Ia
cation upon the bulkhead and ade
quate adjacent land to fully develo
such frontage. Such frontage woul
have afforded ample space for seve
standard piers with adequate Slip
The city was To have had title TO o.
streets upon the added areas an
upln the lands hack Of the same With
out cost, whenever il deemed 1t res
for It's own Interests 10 lay them ou
ard tc a broad boulevard opening u