Evening journal., 1913-01-30
THURSDAY. JAN. 80. 1913.


GENERAL UlfUNI'S hEASONAbIE hEQtEsls
TT is emnently proper for General T. Coleman dupont
l. 70 take steps TO ascertain from the Legislature,
which, being popular body. supposed to represent
the will OF the public what the people OF the State
Delaware desire with respect to the building Of the
DUPONT Boulevard. He has deposited $4,000 in the
treasury the State evidence Of his good faith
in the matter OF building the great roadway; he has
spent 100000 in preliminary work. and he has right
20 know whether he is to be permitted to complete 1t
or compelled abandon IT, The communication
which General DUPONT sent to Governor Miller and
which the Governor transmitted to the Legislature
yesterday the expression Of manly desire to have
all possible doubt removed the most important
question involved in the controversy which is whether
the peopleof the State want, not want the hand
some roadway that General DUPONT has offered to
give them.
Heretofore one OF the CHIEF objections urged against
the building of the road has been that General dupont
and his associates would reap rich profits from tho
utilization OF the side-srips for public utility purposes
1t pointed out that, while General dupont was
making pretense Of giving the road in reality he
was reseryng himself exceedingly valuable strips
OF ground, extending the length of the State. which
might in time be worth millions upon millions Of
dollars There is paragraph in the generals letter
to the Governor which should set at rest all such
criticism.
"I do not have and never have had, any idea Of
making personal profit from the Boulevard anything
directly remotely connected with it, General dupont
says. Coleman DUPONT Road, Incorporated is entire
y willing agree that any and all profits of
kind that may be derived from that part the Boulo-
ward not devoted the road vehicles defray
ing the expense Of maintenance and further develop
ment Of said part OF the Boulevard shall be applied
through agencies the State the cost OF manen-
of the road for vehicles, TO any other public
the State may designate"
The General adds that he is enthusiastic as ever
in his desire build the Boulevard only
that the distractions which prevent It shall be
cleared away.
Surely nothing could be fairer to the State to the
people thereof than the far-reaching denial by the
General of the stories that he expects to reap rich
personal profits from the strips along the side Of the
road. He is willing to give everything to the State
that is required for the development and mainen-
the Boulevard is dificult to imagine that
anyone would expect more OF him or his company.
To bring the matter to issue. General dupont
urges that a bill repeating the Boulevard amendment
10 the General Corporation Law be introduced in the
Legislature and that there also shall be introduced
act providing that the Secretary OF State shall re-
turn 20 the Boulevard Company the $4,000 deposit
n the repeating act be passed and certificate Of dis
solution presented to that official
General dupont quite properly takes the view that
n those acts fail to the Legislature he will under
stand that majority OF the people OF Delaware want
the Boulevard. On the other hand, they pass the
Legislature, he will accept 1t indication that
majority Of the people do want the Boulevard and
he will take steps at once TO restore the land
given condemned the former owners and abandon
all interest therein and title thereto. No offer more
generous could be made by any AS an evidence
Of his good faith two bills In line with the above sug
gestions accompanied General duPonts letter to IN,
Governor.
Should the Legislature refuse to repeal the Bouie
ward Law, General DUPONT asks, with commendab
proprety that legislation that will facilitate the build
ing Of the road be passed at this One piece
legislation asked for is that the Chesapeake and Della
ware Canal Company be compelled 70 build and main
tain bridge at the point where the Boulevard vii
cross the canal The other bill provides a more equit
able and satisfactory method for the acquisition OF Ian
by condemnation for the main Boulevard and branc
Bouleyards and also provides that when damages ar
assessed the element OF benefit 10 property shall
taken into consideration in making the awards
Thus General dupont has put the Boulevard matte
sqaarely up the Legislature and It ia to be hope
that il viii approach the question with the same fai
that he has presented H.