Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1913-03-19
COMMISSION
GOVERNMENT
WINS POINT
House is Willing to Allow
Wilmington to Vote on
the Subject
ONLY ONE VOTE
AGAINST THE BILL

Special to THE EVENING JOURNAL.
DOVER. Del, March 19.-Wilming-
toms request for an opportunity to
determine whether or not the com
mission form of government shall be
adopted for that city was given IA
vorable recognition by the House last
night. when Representatives Moneys
bill to that effect was passed by
vote of rs yeas to nay. the solitary
vote in opposition being that of Rep
resentatiye King, of Wilmington The
bill as introduced originally provided
that any incorporated city or town
in the State could decide by refcren-
dun vote whether or not il desired
to adopt the commission form of gov
eminent, but as many of the towns in
Kent and Sussex preferred to con-
tnue under their present charters
undisturbed the bill was amended to
! apply the bill only to cities of more
? than 5000 population, which would
mean that il would affect Whining
( ton only Another amendment stip-
: ulated th0t the referendum vote
should be taken at the city election
Z in June, and that If a majority OF
{. the votes cast should be in favor Of
4, adopting tho commission form Of
E. government that governmental
scheme would not 90 into effect un-
til two years later, after the terms of
officials elected this year would ex-
pire
The referendum election could not
be held until after fifteen per cent of
the voters should sign a petition for
that purpose Another amendment
provides that an election could be
held but once every two years in
stead of every year. The amendments
we're offered by Representative
Grantland The object in having the
p referendum vote at the city election
is to save the expense of a special
election.
Representatives Mooney. Bradford.
Grantland Hammond and Speaker
Holcomb spoke in behalf of the
measure. Mr. Mooney said it was en-
dorsed by the Wilmington Chamber
OF Commerce. and Civic Association.
Mr.. Grantland said that the majority
of members from Wilmington we're
In favor of the measure. Caleb z.
Burchenal answered questions about
the bill
ton City Council asking the Legisla-
ture not to pass the bill was read.
and then came a food of kilograms
from men of prominence In Whining
ton urging favorable action on the
measure. They we're from Harold S
Schutt, Norman z. John. Rev. DR..
George Edward Reed. Josiah Marvel,
o. c. Purdy. Francis l. DUPONT. Irving
Warner. Wilmer Palmer, William W
Laird. William p Bancroft. Francis
p Kane W. d. Mullen, former Mayor
Horace Wilson. Mayor Harrison W.
Howell, l.. W. Brosius. Alfred d. War
ner. c. d. Garretson w. F. Kurtz and
John j. Raskob The speaker said
he never saw such a collection of
kilograms from men whose high
standing he personally knew.
Kent Men Tangled.
For a long while the Kent county
members of the House we're involved
In a discussion over Senator Walls
bill to empower the Levy Court to
appoint three assessors at $1,000 a
year each to make a general assess
ment OF all property in the county,
after which their terms would expire.
They would not displace the present
assessors. Representative Barnard
arguing that the present assessment
Is so unequal and inequitable that a
general assessment by a Commission
is necessary as a basis for future as
sessments. He cited instances of in
equitable assessments. Representa-
tives Hirsch and Jester opposed the
measure on the ground that It would
not remedy the condition complained
Of, and also because their cOnsttu-
ents did not favor il. Representative
Barnard, a Republican. had read a
resolution of the Kent Levy Court
which is Democratic. favoring the
bill. The Kent members got into such
a tangle over the measure that Rep
resentative Grantland said the New
Castle county members desired to
vote to give Kent what she wanted
Speaker Holcomb suggested that
every Kent member express himself
and Mr.. Barnerd and Mr.. Arthurs were
the only ones to favor IT, The bill
was defeated by vote of q nays to
3 yeas.
More Pay for Comptroller.
The House passed Representative
Reynolds bill to increase the salary
of the Comptroller of Kent County
from $1,000 to $500 year. Mr.. Rey.
nolds said this would place the comp
troller on salary basis with other
county officials. and there would be
no deputy for him The Levy Cour
endorsed the bill. he said.
The House concurred i'm tho Senate
substitute to standardize berry cup:
and carriers and hampers for fruit:
and vegetables
The House killed the Senate sub
stitute resolution naming the Govern
or. State Treasurer and Insuranc,
Commissioner as a commission L
place insurance on state buildings
The resolution as il originally PASSED
the House authorized the Tnsuranc,
Commissioner to place the insurance
but the Senate added the Governor
and State Treasurer. which the Demo
cratic members resented so the,
voted il down. Unless something il
done, there will be no method for in
surfing State buildings for the mex
two years.
The Senate killed the House bill /,
fix the time for catching shad in Mis-
pillion river.
hill DOllarage Bill.
The Senate concurred i'm the Hons.
resolution providing for a Joint com
mittee to arrange a reunion of tn,