Evening journal., 1912-05-16
Mass Meeting Oppose and River Development

everything for nothing and the other
which gets nothing He expressed the
opinion that twelve men whether honest
or not. could not intelhgently act in "A
matter of this kind for 100000 people.
WOULD FIGHT LATER.
George Watson, who said he spoke for
himself, said that the Government should
be permitted to finish the bulkhead and
fll in behind it and for the city to later
fight for its share of the newly made
ground.
George H. Litz. a former member OF
the Board of Health, relative to the fill
ing in OF the 500 acres back of the boule-
ward, asked the question as to who
would derive benefits in case Of suit for
damages. lie considered the boulevard
act illegal and thought it should be re-
pealed and allow the river front to wait
until the Government again offered to
dredge pending the taking of such ac-
tion.
A. W. Francois, member of the
Socialist Party, who said he appeared as
citizen. thought the city should have
river front and that the Government
should be allowed TO build the bulkhead,
but he could not understand why the
riparian owners were so anxious to get
through. Council such an agreement as
proposed.
"GO GET THEM" CAUSES HALT.
AT this juncture Col Stover asked the
speaker if he was a taxpayer in vii
mngton. The latter replied he was and
added that he considered every citizen of
/ Wilmington a taxpayer.
Go get them" said somebody at the
right of the room. This remark had the
effect of temporarily halting proceed
ings. President Benson saying that no
such remarks would be tolerated.
Harry W. Behen, member of the Cen
trail Labor Union, was the next speaker.
He was asked his name and who he rep
resented and caused a laugh by announc-
ing the fact that he was a taxpayer at
least he paid taxes on one of Peter j
Ford's houses. Mr.. Ford, who was pres
ent. laughed with the rest.
INJECT SOME FUN.
Mr.. Behen likened the present offer Of
the riparian owners 70 a man he once
heard of who found deep pan and took
it to a baker whom he asked TO furnish
the -four, sugar, etc, 10 make cake
bake il, and after il was through, gave
the baker a slice Of the cake.
At this iuncture George Watson inter.
iected; "A piece Of pie is better thar
none at ALL"
In answer TO Colonel Nields, Mr. Kurtz
said he could not see what objection
there could be 10 the city getting some
benefits when il is asked to build a
boulevard and streets at the river front
He contended that should the Counci
sign the proposed agreement the city
would place itself in a position where
by il probably could not question the
validity of the claims of the riparian
owners. Mr.. Kurtz favored allowing the
Government 10 60 ahead with the con
struction of the bulkhead and let tn,
city. at the proper time, take such actor
as to give it what it is justly entitled
to.
Col. Nields said that something shoulc
be done as he had been informed ther'
had not been a seagoing vessel ente
, this port this year. He considered tina
il Wilmington got its proportion Of tn
I commerce on the Delaware river the cit,
t would quickly grow and the value of tn
. property along the river so increase i
{ value as to more than pay for the ei
{ forts made to improve it, in the way Z
Y taxes.
e MIR. Kurtz reminded Col Nields ths
n there was nothing in the way Of stoI
/. ping the construction Of a river fror
1 pier and boats stopping at Wilmingto
r as the city already owns 100 feet q
e river front ground.
y George w. Taylor asked the questio
3 whether the city would renounce Il
t rights to institute condemnation pr
r ceedings if the agreement with the ripai
n ian owners was signed.
4 He was informed by Mr.. Kurtz tina
/. the city could not condemn unless I'll
e Legislature said 50.
a f. F. NJ. Weaver. a citizen. said h
= thought the riparian owners should b
4 made to expend money in improvement
h in proportion to their gain. He said th
!. land should be taxed when reclaimed.
e SAYS FALSE PREMISE.
- The next speaker was Herbert
b Ward. attorney, who announced that
J. represented one of the riparian owner
o He considered that the meeting las
night was a good thing and that an i
r. Eliminating discussion had taken plac
d He believed, however. that the whole di:
e cussion was based upon a false premis