Evening journal., 1914-03-06
HANEY HITS
UTILITIES co.
ASSESSMENTS
Tenth Ward Councilman
Thinks Legislative Let Fix
ing Figures is Unlawful
FIRE co. MORTGAGES
SATISFIED BY CITY

The session Of City Council last
evening. while short, was an extreme
ly busy one. There was an unusually
large attendance Of spectators, in
cluding the Rev. D. NJ. Cleland. with
several members Of his adult foreign
ers' class in civics. and Charles w.
Bush with a number Of Y. A. G. A.
members. who were gathered there to
witness the manner in which the af-
fairs OF the city were transacted.
Tho visitors were welcomed by
President OF Council William p.
White. who extended them a cordial
invitation 10 attend the Council ses-
sions as often as they could find II
convenient "If we can be OF any
service in assisting you in your work,
kindly command us concluded MT.
White
Following the meeting the visitors.
OF whom there were about twenty,
expressed pleasure at the insight
they had obtained Of the city's law
making machine in operation.
NNIAMk NNN oNNNNRI A0AN'AAiAAtNAA
John J. Haney. of the Tenth ward. de-
ciared that a certain act embodied IN
the laws passed by the last Logisla-
ture was UNCONSTITUTIONAL In his
opinion. at least He called the at
tention TO the other members to this
section which limited the assessment
Of the public service corporations,
such as street railways, electric and
gas lighting companies, etc, TO a
minimum and maximum figure This
section. Mr.. Haney explained, limited
the assessment on these corporations
10 not less than $4,000 and not more
than S20,00O Mr. Haney declared
that this was clearly class legisla-
ton. and declared that the Legisla-
ture had no right TO pass an act tax
ing the corporations in such a man
ner without assessing other real es-
tate. He pointed out that it was "A
case of men down In Dover assess
ing property in Wilmington about
which the most of them knew moth
ing. and that the assessment had
been fixed without knowing the true
,aluation Of the trolley company
properties. which in his opinion was
IIINkHNa ne UtllNNNu lMuN AIAAN Jul"
citOr Hastings should be requested 10
pass on the legality of the act
Mr.. Haney declared that experts
should make valuation of the rail-
way tracks and assess accordingly
the same as has been done on Other
real estate in the city. lie mentioned
hat efforts are now being made by
the Board of Assessment, Revision
and Appeals 10 obtain an equitable as.
sessment, and he did not believe II
would be equitable if assessed by th,
legislature.
Mr. ilancy believed that a proper as.
scs-nent of these public service corpora.
tions would make the tax rate lower on
an property in the city IL would not
he pointed out. work a hardship ON amy.
one.
Mr. Hancy moved that City solicitor
Hastings be- asked TO give Council his
legal opinion az 60 the constitutionality
OF the act in question so they viii know
how to proceed m the assessment of troll
ley tracks. poles, wires. gas mains. CON
duits and such other properties. This
motion prevailed.
President White aud Councilman
StoVer. both members of the Board Of
Assessment. Revision and Appeals. said
the board two weeks ago asked the city
solicitor for lust such am opinion. only
They included the Whole act and this
opinion win come to Council when 1t II
received Mr. ~tuVcr reminded the
members that at the last session of the
Legislature the Council cnlcavored 10
have thc public service corporations
placcd ON the same footing as other real
estate owners for the purposes of taxa
iion. hut the corporations appeared 10
have more pull at Dover, DE said. than
did the city Mr. StoN~ said ii thc
board has the power. the people Of the
city will get everything they want
City Treasurer James +. Price ne.
ported having satisfied the following
mortgages held by tho city against
the following fire companies Of th'
city
Fame Hose Fire Company, January
1e 1873, SS,50o; July 30. 1878. $4,000
"ln addition 10 the above. Dir
Prices report continues. there are in
this Office two additional mortgages
Washington Fire Company. 1872, 81.
500 1875. $4,000 These mortgagei
we're satisfied by City Treasurer "
r. Griffith April IL. 1889 Thes'
papers are in my possession await
ing your direction as to The disposi
ton Of the same
Council took no formal action las
night relative to the Washington
c9mpany's mortgages With thos
mentioned satisfied the city no longe
holds any mortgages against any o
the fire companies.
Council declined the request iron
the Board Of Public Utility Commits
sioners that their secretary be pai
IS for every meeting he attends 70
the board.
The Board OF Education was al
lowed $19.S52.34. the Wilmington
Institute Free Library. S1.1O5.55; tn
March appropriation for each. TIL
balance in bank was reported to b
S2a0,743.40. City Treasurer Pric
submitted his report on the receipt
and expenditures Of the city durin