Evening journal., 1914-07-06
COUNCILMAN Hints
At PARK LAND deal
Mr.. Williams of Twelfth
Ward Tells of Offer OF
Political Support
FOR BETTER STREETS
INSTEAD OF PURCHASE

Wilmington may soon acquire as a
playground the plot of ground bound
ed by Chestnut, Linden, Franklin
and Broome streets. II is believed
that the city will in the near future
decide to purchase this plot of
ground, which can be secured at the
cost Of the city assessment on the
property which II is claimed is very
reasonable. While there is some or
position 70 the plan on the part of
some members OF Council. il Is
not expected to prove serious enough
to block the acquisition of the land.
William p. Bancroft, president Of
the Board Of Park Commissioners.
has agreed to give the city free of all
cost a plot of ground 21O feet BY $40
feet at Ninth and Howland streets
should the city agree TO purchase The
plot of ground above mentioned. The
land offered by Mr. Bancroft is valu-
able.
Two Of the Councilmen who are op-
posed to acquiring the land are said
to be Mr.. Williams of the Twelfth
ward and Mr. Zimmerman of the
First ward. Mr., Williams contends
that the people do not want the land.
while Mr.. Zimmerman is opposed TO
voting for any more parks for other
wards until he gets something for his
own ward.
Mr.. Bancroft, looking into the fu-
ture' sees the necessity of taking this
land while It is available, and he is
so anxious to have the city acquire
It that he has made his offer to give
the city free the plot at Ninth and
Howland streets.
II Is argued by advocates of the
purchase that the city will save sew
eral thousand dollars by buying this
plot now and thereby getting the free
ground from Mr. Bancroft The Board
OF Park Commissioners is unanimous
In its recOmmendation that the city
purchase the Twelfth ward tract
Mr.. Williams Statement.
Declaring that he had been prom
ised the support of some of those in
terested in the purchase of the land
for a park in the Twelfth ward at
the next election. providing he gave
his support to the park land pur-
chase, City Councilman A. N. viii
liams today said he never had seen
a petition circulated urging the pur-
chase Of the lot bounded by Chestnut
Linden, Franklin and Broome streets
Furthermore, Councilman Williams
asserted that he had heard threats
TO the effect that his political life
would be at an end IL he did not
vote for the purchase of the land de.
scrlbed above
Speaking of the signing Of any peti
tions for the purchase of land In IN,
! Twelfth ward, Mr. Williams said
"The only petition that ! know Of be-
ing circulated In the ward was one
two years ago urging the purchasing
Of the Mckay property I have in
vestigated conditions In my ward
and I have not had a minister OF
prominent citizen in the ward to urge
me to vote for the above lands. The
question of my support of the pro-
posed measure has been broached to
me several times within the past four
months by John NJ. Stannard. On one
occasion Mr.. Stannard told me that
those he represented would be back
of me for recollection providing
voted for the city taking over the
above lands"
Councilman Williams added: II
fail to see why Mr.. Bancroft deems
It necessary for the city to buy these
lands in order to receive a donation
Of lands from him which are located
at Howland and Scott streets"
Mr.. Williams said he thought 4
more timely to discuss street i'm
provements for the ward. which h
claimed he had been working for.