Evening journal., 1912-05-16

said that much more than this would
have to be done TO put Wilmington in
competition with other cities
"lf Il is only the intention 10 build
one pier" he said. the proposition
should be allowed TO fall fat, as Will
mington would be merely the laugh
ing stock Of Chester and Philadel-
phia.' Mr. Knowles favored an act
by the Legislature condemning the
entire river front and the city pur-
chasing II.
Let the city have Il ALL" he said.
He added that II he were a member
Of Council he would not vote for the
proposed agreement unless he could
look behind him and see a majority
of the people in favor OF Il (applause).
He thought Council should delay ac-
ton until Il could get the full ex-
preston of the public on the matter.
Referendum as solution.
Col. Stover asked Mr.. Knowles
how he would do that
BY the Initiative and Referendum, 4"
replied Mr.. Knowles
How much do you suppose that
would cost" asked Col Stover.
Not one cent" replied Mr..
Knowles.
Judge J. w Lattomus expressed the
opinion that the riparian owners own
ed the water front to the low water
mark, and he couldn't see how Will
mington could lay claim to something
II does not own He considered the
offer made by the riparian owners a
generous one
John W. Morris, who is engaged In
the electrical business. thought there
was only one answer TO the whole dis
cussion and Il is that either the
riparian owners are making grand
offer to the city which should be ac-
cepted. or whether the land to be
made belongs TO the city.
Mr.. Morris said that he had heard
only a few people. including an attor-
ney for the riparian owners. urging
the adoption OF the agreement, where
as on the other side many taxpayers
were a. the meeting against the prop
osition He said that what the peo-
pie wanted 10 know was whether the
land belongs TO the riparian owners
or the people, and he considered that
the sooner the matter was taken into
court and settled the better IL would
be for all concerned
Col. StoVer Has His Say.
Colonel Stover. chairman OF the f.
nance committee OF Council was the
last person TO address the meeting, he
being the only member OF Council 10
make extended remarks. He said that
the question largely hinged around
whether Wilmington wanted TO be In
the class with New Castle or become
No I class city He said that Coun-
ell and the members Of the Board of
Trade and the Street and Sewer Com
missioners, who had the project under
consideration for a long time had not
gone into the thing in a haphazard
way and had gone into the subject
fully with the result that they fee
convinced they have done the bee
thing possible for the city.
IT am convinced" said Colonel Sto
yer. that the most Of those here to
! night. got what information they hav
/ out OF a newspaper-THE EVENING
! JOURNAL"
7. Col. stover said he did not care
: the land owners on the river fro
= made a million dollars II by creaur
> river front one factory was start'
!, there He said that one week ago
made a statement that there WI
e something wrong with Wilmingto
p and he added after looking arouI
q the room, that he was still Of tn
opinion
II Col Slower asked Mr.. Kurtz II
thought twenty-six men. city ofiicia
p and members of the Board OF Trad
3 had gone into the subject haphazzari
}, ly and that Council was going TO pu
q off something detrimental 10 the cit
e Mr. Kurtz replied that he did NJ
e and that he did not question the ho
2 esty Of the men. but there still r
e manned the question Of ownersh
r of the land beyond the low water
n the bulkhead
Col Slower said he had conferr,
with a half dozen lawyers on u
4 subject and they were Of the opini,
: that the riparian owners we're n
= owners OF the land He then mov'
@ to adjourn. a motion which was Sc
l. onded. Several other persons want'
q TO talk but the motion to adiou
u was put and carried
e Councilman Higgins Of the Thi
d ward wanted 10 adjourn to next We