Evening journal., 1913-03-01
Mercantile Association Defeats
Scheme TO Benefit Owners of
Delaware Riverfronf Land

that the resolution which had been
laid on the table provided for this, he
thought no further effort should be
made at the time to reopen the ques-
ton. His objection was defeated by
an aye and nay vote. and President
O'Neal appointed Howell S. England,
William II. Smalley, Daniel DuRoss.
0. G. Purdy and John J Hayes a COM
mittee TO report on the resolution at
the next meeting OF the association.
The motion was adopted
During the discussion on the rcso-
luton Mr.. Hayes said This resolu-
tion does not coincide with the news
paper account sof the reasons fol
calling this meeting. For that rea-
son, Mr. Hayes said, che did not care
TO vote on the question until he had
been better informed"
George II. Lltz said there we're two
ways for the city TO secure the water
front one 20 tax II at its full value
and the other for the city to appoint
q condemnation commission and buy
the land az It's real value
II was az this point that Mr.. DuRoss
asked that action be deferred on the
/ subject az all the members were not
present Mr.. Purdy said he did not
believe IN being hasty and seconded
/ the motion made by Mr. DuRoss.
Z At the close of the meeting Mr..
I O'Neai announced that as he was not
familiar with the contents OF the re-
/ solution proposed by Mr. England he
would like TO see all the members
I present before action is taken on il.
/ The meeting then adjourned, il being
announced that the committee would
meet In Mr. EnRland's Office next
Wednesday afternoon.
I The resolution presented by Mr..
England which the association refus-
/ cd to endorse follows:
Whereas, The Mercantile Asso-
citation is vitally Interested in
everything that pertains to the
J building of a greater, better and
more progressive Wilmington,
and
Whereas. the one factor that
will do more, than everything else
combined TO make of our fair
City a metropolis OF FIVE hundred
thousand inhabitants, Is the de-
velOpment Of the Delaware River
front already within the corpor-
ate limits Of the City, and
Whereas an attempt is now be-
ing made TO induce the Legisla-
ture at Dover to repeal certain
laws already enacted. and to
enact certain other laws, the re-
suit of which would be to throw
the question of ownership OF the
River front into the Courts. where
prolonged and expensive litiga-
tion would retard the develop
ment of said River for front for
many years
Now therefore, be It resolved
that the Mercantile Association
hereby enters emphatic protest
against the taking of any action
by the Legislature that would
create a doubt as to the owner
ship OF the River front, or that
would attempt to deprive those of
our citizens who now own said
Z River front OF their vested rights
= therein, and be Il
Resolved that a Committee of
FIVE be appointed by this Asso-
citation TO take whatever steps II
may deem advisable to prevent
any hasty and in considered
action on the part Of the Legisla-
ture and to promote in every pos
sble manner the immediate deve-
lopment\o of our River front, and
further be II
Resolved that a copy Of these
resolutions signed by the proper
officers OF this Association he sent
Co both branches OF the General
Assembly now in session at
\ Dover. and he published in the
daily newspapers of the City ot
Wilmington