Evening journal., 1913-10-23
TERMINAL co.
WON'T DISCUSS
WATER FRONT
Refuses to Meet With Council
Tonight When Subject Will
be Talked Over
BELIEVE NO VALUABLE
PURPOSE CAN BE SERVED

Members Of City Council at their
meeting tonight will discuss the Della
ware water front question, in conform
ity with the wishes of large majority |
OF the citizens of Wilmington, who at
the last city election voted overwhelm-
ingly in favor of tn city proceeding to
acquire ownership of the Delaware
water front.
The Wilmington Terminal Company,
which owns most of the land that lies
along the water front, was invited 70
attend the meeting, which was to be IN
the nature Of a conference between CITY
Z Council and the members of the Ter
minal Company, but Council has re-
ceived a communication from William
- G Nahafv. president of the company,
Z in which he states that for various rea-
y sons he is constrained, on behalf OF the
members Of the company, TO decline the
Council invitation.
The councilmen, however, will dis
: cuss the matter from every angle not
= withstanding the fact that the largest
. owners of the property will not pe
= represented at the meeting, and the
j result of the conference will be sub
= mitted to the Terminal Company IN
u writing, as per the request Of Mr.. Ma
= haffy.
Y Exactly what action will be taken
= by the members of Council tonish'
~ on the subject, is not known but they
I, will take into consideration every
U thing connected with the matter with
Y The idea in view Of carrying out the
~ wishes of the people as expressed Sc
~ convinoinglv at the last election.
- The letter received by Council from
y the Terminal Company follows;
Wilmington, Del. Oct z, 1913.
~ The Navigation Committee Of the
Council.
- Gentlemen: Your favor dated
So October 8, 1913, postmarked oc-
he tober. 1918, through Mr.. c. NJ.
Dillon. Clerk of Council, request
ing the attendance of the officers
and directors of Wilmington
Terminal Company at the session
of the Council on Thursday even
ing next. for a conference regard
- ing the Delaware River front
VI matter. came duly 10 hand.
VI Judging by past experience and
the vote at the last city election
~, no valuable purpose can now be
AL served by a conference such as
IL suggested. We do not wish even
TO appear TO give, and feel that
tho Council is in no position 70
&c appear TO receive our advice IN
vi this matter. Further, judging
from mast experience, we believe
N that the fact that your intentions
in inviting the conference are or
the hest. would save neither you
nor ms from unfair, unjust and
unwarranted criticism. With the
most sincere respect for your
COMMITTEES. and for all the mem
RE hers of the Council, under exist
inc conditions and in view OF the
legal advice received by the Coun-
fire iii unon the occasion of the for
Of mer negotiations between the
lple Council and the several riparian
un- owners. we feel constrained to de-
YES, cline the requested conference at
'ing this time.
by Through the decease of one OF
nv the principal owners of our com
NY many. his interests therein mas
re- become largely vested in certain
lge nhilantrophic institutions In Del
am aware and elsewhere, and IN
'hel other nersons. The officers or the
om- company have not now. therefore
ms the free hand to deal with the
- property of the company whlcn
E Jn they formerly had, and do no'
,;tv & feel at liberty TO commit the
rest company by anything said OF
,tod done at conference such as re,
80 ouested. Should the Counci
n have any business proposition V'
AZ submit to the company in writing
ears we would promptly submit tn'
aeo. same 10 the persons now con
Da- cerned, proNlueu 'as ,,,i.,
brey proposition shall De aoooiip ~ a.
liam by the written opinion ~
wing law department OF tne o.sy, '.i.' ~,
made the same can be perloriheu VII u"
then part of the city.
ring Very respectfully yours,
and (Signedl Wilmington leiiiiin'
hall Company,
mer By William 4, Manan'
Presiden