Evening journal., 1912-05-09

Oillltu DtdleS government, OF OOlnf /
should have shared in the distribution
of the value thus created The people |
OF Wilmington are part of the public
of the United Stases, and it can be
fairly argued that a portion of our
money which had gone into the United
States treasury in the form of direct
OF indirect taxes, had been used IN
creating this new value, and if the
United States government waived its
rights in the matter, the city Of Will
mington was entitled to the accrued
value of the public's share in the inn
provement. However that may be, that
law was passed and the city of Will
mington's interests we're not properly
safeguarded
Now, however, the littorsl proprie-
tors have made a proposition to the
city to cede to the latter a valuable
part Of the new river front thus
created. Assuming that the rights
established by the law OF 1901 are
valid and irrevocable, their offer
seems to be a generous one, and If It
is a fair qud pro quo for what the
state and city surrendered without
murmur in 1901, il avoids all conse-
quences OF that law and no further
criticism or regreats are in order.
Whether or not the proposition made
| by the littoral owners is a fair and
just one, considering all the facts aud
circumstances, my own mind is un-
decided
Although the offer is a generous
one and may be all that the city
needs or is entitled TO, at first blush 1t
does not seem to measure up TO what
/ deem are the citys desserts in the
matter However, a fuller knowledge
/ Of the facts and a fuller discussion
may convince me and those who hold
the same opinion that the terms Offer
ed are fair and just My mind is open.
/ do know one of the littoral pro-
prietors interested very well, and 1t
is my opinion, which | take pleasure
in expressing, that no fairer or more
iust man exists in this community
than Herbert H. Ward, and know OF
no one who more commands my re-
spect
The other aspect OF the situation,
as said before is one Of public poll
icy. The suggestion has been made by
one of our newspapers that the ex-
/ perience of other cities, likewise situ-
ated. would warrant US, as matter
of policy affecting the material wei
/. fare Of the city, in owning the whole
city water front
"Why should not City Council seek
the advice OF experts on this subject
who can tell US OF the experiences OF
/, New York. Philadelphia, Baltimore,
, Norfolk and other cities on the sub
ject? II it should be deemed wise for
, the city to own the whole water front
/, 1 wha. better opportunity or moment
can be selected than the present one
for purchasing the title Of the littoral
= proprietors? Judging future events by
e. the past. neither the present genera
> tion of citizens of Wilmington or lit
a toral proprietors can hope to reap any
n material profit or income from this
G ownership OF the Delaware riyel
d front. We can. however, imagine VII
!. mington grown to twice, thrice. foul
2 or even five times its present size, and
9 il is reasonable TO suppose that ever
4 before the population doubles ii would
: have made considerable strides IN
8 having established a river front anf
j. have built up considerable com
" merce
I "The action nov taken may decide
b the city's future prosperity or great
u ness. Besides the action taken b.
u ex-Mayor Spruance TO ascertain th'
most feasible, advantageous and eco
g nomical method Of putting Whining
d ton in touch with Delaware river com
d merce should he supplemented BY ad
e ditional information tending 10 sho7
: in what direction We should procee,
: 70 60 TO the river and that decision
l. will largely guide us in answering th'
IS second OF the above propositions sug
y gested by me-
d Il am writing this letter not to al
u my views, but because | believe tina
= my own condition Of mind reflects th
3 condition OF mind OF q large numbe
a OF citizens in the city, il not a ma
, iority Of them.
B. Because OF the present discussion
OF the proposed charter | am keenl
u alive to the attitude of Council i'm con
Z siderng this matter, as I have con
81 tended and believed and still conten
IS and believe that when public opinio
" makes its wants known on any publ
Is question, its elected representative
N can be relied ON to fairly reflect an
~ act upon said public sentiment
X Il realize that public opinion o
le this matter is very slow in. maxim
y itself felt, and that City Counc
y might assume that silence meant al
ie proyal.
: "All that | ask is that we tax
enough time to consider the question
unearth all the facts obtainable. dis
cuss them, and then decide what W
h want TO do Il is so much more sensi
! bic and prudent to discuss before de
cisive action is taken than to Gus;
afterwards. Your duty seems to m
u to be clear.
Yours very truly
"W f. Kurtz."