Evening journal., 1912-05-07

feet through low and swampy lands which pay not
one cent of city taxes.
Reply may be made that it is act of philan-
thropy for tho marsh land Spectators give to tho
city the beds those streets Is It? Let the tax
payer ask himself the question whether there is
promoter of tho development of fast land in the city
of Wilmington who would not be glad to have the
city assist him IN his work OF development by
cepng the roadbeds Of streets through the tract about
to be developed with the understanding that would
grade. pave, and maintain those roadways.
There is no taxpayer who lives the outskirts of
Wilmington who does know that there are streets
that run in front of taxed properties that badly
in need of city money to put them in proper condi-
tion. Then how does proposition strike him that
means the continued neglect of those Streets that
Cherry Island marsh speculaors-who do not pay one
cent in taxes to the city of Wilmington who
not be made to pay such unless a bill be put
through the Legislature repeating the law that gives
TO the marsh exemption from all city tax
shall have system Of streets through their prop
erty?
It also may be said that II will not be necessary
to grade and pave these marsh streets now So much
the worse That will be shifting the burden of such
taxes, for the benefit of ax-dodgers from the should
of the and Of today to those Of the
boys and girls, in school. and the babies in the
cradle who will be the taxpayers in years to come.
But there is assurance that that much grace
will be allowed to the present tax-payng generation
1t may be that combination OF marsh land specula-
tors that has sufficient power to jam such a PROPOSE
ton the impending through City Council,
also will have enough pull to jam through another
proposition providing for the issuance of city bonds
for paving and grading the streets through that
taxed marsh land. while uncaredfor streets in other
sections of tho city that lined with properties
taxed to the hilt not only will be forced to remain
as they arc, but men and women who property
them also will be compelled submit to additional
taxation to provide good streets for marsh land spec
ua at al he city
treasury.
Wilmington taxpayers owe it to themselves and to
posterity to notice their City Councilmen
that II is time TO call halt upon this riverfront ex-
ploitation scheme and 10 remember that they
elected TO Council 10 esslae for the benefit of the
taxpayers and to pull tho fire chestnuts for
those who are seeking to both national and city
funds for development work that inevitably will put
hundreds Of thousands Of dollars into such specula-
tors pockets
Il has been said in behalf Of the Wilmington Ter
minal Company and It's allies that the aid OF the city
is not needed to put this exploitation scheme through
The sensible taxpayers will take stock in such
assertion. The fact that the spectators are Of
fering to the city two pieces of waterfront land
under water is not from any love they entertain
the city or its people That offer is open admission
that they do need city aid to put the deal through,
and that II and necessary legislation, will not go
through without city aid.
The taxpayers of Wilmington and New Castle coun-
ty already have done entirely too much for these
people who will do nothing hemselvesuot even pay
their fair share Of either city county There
thousands Of persons here who remember the
camor for Seventh street bridge, tho Brandy
wine near its mouth II said then that those who
owned the waterfront and other land back Of 1t would
do such great things il the county only would build
that bridge. u built, at cost to the taxpayers
of New Castle county Of something like $4,000 What
did they get In return? Was there any development
to repay the county the city for that bridge the
opening Of street down to the waterfront? Not at
all. It never the purpose of the holders of tho
marsh land to do anything with it at their OK
pense. Their plan to wait until someone should
come along and do the work for them.
Now they think they their opportunity. The
Federal Government needs place to dump mud
Fnel They Immediately begin an agitation for the
Government to build bulkhead along the entire
front OF their holdings enclose about 500 acres Of
land under water MI it in and then turn it and the
bulkhead to them for speculative purposes
two small pieces offered the city That gift is
not due TO love for. the taxpayers. II merely is to
give to the project semblance of being fos the pub
lie benefit although is admitted that hve-sxths Of
that benefit will go TO the private marsh owners IL
is that sort of deal that the Councilmen looked
TO to put throurh Thursday night and that they
will put through unless the taxpayers prevent it,