Evening journal., 1914-12-17
CITY TO CARE FOR
THE WORTHY POOR
$1,000 Available After To-
night to Relieve Suffer
ing Of Citizens
WILL SPEND 100000
ON NEW RESERVOIR

AT a. meeting of the committee Of
the whole City Council last night in
conjunction with members OF the
charity committee of the Chamber Of
Commerce Council decided TO make
an immediate appropriation Of $1,000
to the Associated Charities for the
poor of Wilmington tentatively
agreed 10 forward an equal sum every
month: gave practical assurance that
projects of public nature to cost
nearly 100000 would be started as
soon as possible and expressed will
ingness to end the fiscal year with a
deficit of $4,000, if necessary. rather
than see residents of the city want
for food or fuel during the extreme
winter weather.
The charity committee expressed
the approval of the Chamber of Com
merce of the Capitalization of all pub
lie charities through one organized
body and endorsed the Associated
Charities as the best body in this city
to handle the work. Josiah Marvel,
chairman of the charity committee
! said that the Belgian relief work
while proper one, is taking much
/ charity money out of Wilmington and
as a result the Associated Charities
/ is not getting the income that would
/ otherwise be coming to it. He thought
it would be proper to appropriate
/ 81 900 to the Associated Charities and
to say that the city will give then
more If they need it. Mr. Marye
thought Council would be warranted
/ in spending at least $1,000 a month
/ for the next three months for worl
among the poor and needy of the city
/ He believed the Chamber Of Com
merce stood ready 10 back Council il
any action they may take along this
line and did not think that Council
would be subjected to any criticism il
spending public funds for the relic
of hungry and cold men, women ant
children, who are to be found in tn
city.
It was agreed that the Associates
Charities should pay all their over
head charges out of their own fund
and it was also stipulated that tn
organization should spend every cen
received from the public treasury TO
the relief of the poor Of the city an
to make a detailed accounting to tn
city of all such moneys.
A discussion ensued over the fac
that the citizens of Wilmington pay
certain county poor tax out Of whic
funds the poor are supposed to b
cared for and that the taxpayer
might object to other moneys bein
used for this purpose.
The four Wilmington members
the Trustees of the Poor are to hol
a conference today with the Chamb,
of Commerce Committee. when effor
will be made to have them agree
plan whereby their charity mono
j, may be handled by the Associate
Charities.
Councilman Stover thought that
public undertaking to cost betwe5
$3.50, 600 to 100000 should be start'
at cnce, so that the unemploy'
might be given work. He said thi
the Water Board had been conten
plating the building of an addition
reservoir at the Porter farm, as Il
. present basin holds but three day
y supply, and frequently there is
= serious question as to this being su
. ficient for the city's needs. He su
y gested that the water board prepa
y its plans and prepare an act to
Y sent to the Legislature authorizing
y band issue to cover the cost.
y thought the board should bring q
y bill before Council as soon as tn
can. so that Council can give the ms
ter their approval and then it can
sent to Dover and passed by I
LEGISLATURE as early in the session
possible. This would make it possit
= TO start on the proposed reserve
\ early in the spring.
v T. Allen Hilles, a member OF {
Water Board. agreed with Mr.. StoV
m that an additional reservoir was nee
RS ed. Mr.. Stover said that Coun
ir naturally wanted to finish the fs'
70 year with a clean sheet, but he
n clared that he believed the body "
G. justified in going $4,000 into
o. hole rather than see the people
Wilmington go hungry. He said
ID did not imply that the city ste
Id ready to spend $4,000 for the rel
N of the poor. but he believed the Coz
W c,i was willing to 90 to any In
n to properly cope with any contil
nd ency. II developed that the Asso
he ated Charities wants something d.
TO rite upon which to base their char
in " WOrk. Various ways were consid
adj ed. but il was finally decided that
n making of a fiat appropriation wo
at be the best and it was therefore
,l. cided TO pass a bill tonight Civ
he them 81 900. Future appropriate
at from Council will be determined
Sc oording to the situation as it
a vClops
he The members of the Charity CO
Dr. mittee OF the Chamber of Comme
OF present were: Josiah Marvel, cha
I'm man; T. Allen Hilles. l.. w. Brosi
Clarence c. Killen. John S. Ross
he and J. B. Bell. the other members