Evening journal., 1913-02-13
Say Rehobofh Land
Deal is No Grab
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hoboth. Mr.. Hinckley conceived the
idea OF the corporation and is it's ac-
tive and guiding spirit, financially
and otherwise. He Il an artist OF In
ternational reputation, who few
years ago came TO Rehoboth from
Washington in search OF health. and
who, since he became resident Of
Rehoboth, has taken a keen and ac-
tive interest I'm Its development and
has conceived possibilities for Della
wares only seaside resort that seem
never to have appealed TO anyone be-
fore. He has evidenced his faith in
the future Of Rehoboth by investing
more than fifteen thousand dollars I'm
the town, and ie therefore one OF the
largest taxpayers In Rehoboth. He Is
q man OF means and leisure and most
actively interested IN all matters con-
eerning the welfare OF Rehoboth and
IN looking around Rehoboth for
what seemed to him an opportunity
for development, It occurred to him
that the tract OF flat sand north OF
the town might be developed IN such
a manner as that Il would greatly
help RehobOth TO reach the position
as seaside resort that Il should oc-
cupy,--the same kind OF losition as
that which has been attained by the
resorts along the Jersey coast.
THE land IN question Is north Of
the Hotel Henlopen and extends from
the corporate limits of Rehoboth to
the HenlOpen Light House, running
back 10 the line OF private ownership
Wherever that may he found to be.
The tract contains about Ave hun
dred acres and Ia a mass Of sand and
marsh. totally yalueless unless bull
warkod and reclaimed. No one would
think OF building upon any part OF
Il as Il now is. An extraordinary tide
pweeps It, 10 make this stretch OF
sand Of value it must be protected
from winter tides by bulwarks. The
marsh Immediately back OF the dunes
must bo drained, the mosquitoes must
be eNtorminated, and a road opened TO
afford communication.
Mr.. Hinckley explained his ideas
fully to us az his counsel and in
structed us to prepare a bill to pre-
sent to the Legislature embodying
them, always insisting that every
thing must be clean, fair and above
board. The result was the bill which
Senator Blackstone has introduced.
and If there Is anything I'm the bill
which even hints at a grab or graft
the fault is due entirely to the lam
guage used In preparing the bill, and
most-emphatically Is not due to any
Interior motives on the part of Mr..
Hinckley aud his associates.
In the first place, Mr.. Hinckley's
corporation is to pay TO the State out
right the sum of one thousand dol
lars, or two dollars per care for the
tract. This Is not simply a deposit.
but is a payment to the State for the
land, and in the opinion of everyone
acquainted with the lands. this sum
iar exceeds the real value of the tract
as It is at present Then the COM
pany Is obliged to eXpend at least ten
thousand dollars more In the i'm.
provement OF the tract within five
years from the time of acquiring title.
II il cannot be shown that the sum
Of ten thousand dollars has been ex-
/ pended in the Improvement Of the
/ land within said term of hve years
/ then the bin provides for the collec
4 ton by the State of the ten thousand
dollars, for which a bond with an.
I proved security must be given TO tn,
State, ln other words. if Palmer n
Co., should fail 10 expend ten thou.
sand dollars in improving the land
/ lhen The state instead of getting one
/ thousand dollars. receives outrlghi
the sum of eleven thousand dollars
/ for the property. But as q matter ol
Tact however as we stated above. i,
VIII require the expenditure Of much
more than that sum before the invest.
or possibly can secure any return on
his investment.
THE rights of all private individu-
ais In said property, If amy. are thor
oughly saieguarded i'm the bill.
1T seems to us and TO others who
understand the objects Of the enter.
prise, that nothing has been under.
taken in the history Of Rehoboth since
the foundation, which is calculated tc
give IL greater impetus than the sue.
ccssful carrying out OF the plans OF
Mr. Hinckley The benefit which will
be derived by both Rehoboth anC
Lewes as we'll as by the surrounding
community is incalculable
I'VE represent Palmer & Co.. but We
are also citizens OF Sussex county ant
have no desire or intention to aid in
any land-grabbing schomc. We be-
lieve the proposition TO be an honest
one anc fair to the state. and W,
think that any man or set of men who
may be willing 70 invest considerabl,
sums in adding to the taxable value.
Of tho state deserve fair and oper
hearing
We hereto append a copy Of a let