Evening journal., 1914-04-14
ASKS $4,000 OF
COUNTY FOR PARK
Mr.. dupont StirS Levy
Court by Request in Con-
trOverSy Over Bridge
WILL NOT PAY DOLLAR,
MR.. BURRIS' REPLY

MR.. BURRIS' REPLY
Irenee DUPONT. a member Of the
Board of Park Commissioners, ap-
peared before the meeting of Levy
Court this morning to urge upon that
body that they and the Park Board
should get together and settle the
Third street bridge controversy in
an amiable manner in order that the
holdup of the operations on the
bridge could be stopped and the work
could be resumed. He stated that he
had been informed by the contrac-
tor in charge Of the bridge operations
that the stopping of the work by the
chancellor's restraining order was
causing a damage of the work already
done amounting 70 $3.50 a day. He
urged that the two bodies should
get together on an agreement in or
der that this damage should sion
His plan was that I'm addition To the
| ground remaining of the park. after
/ decided to the Park Board that Levy
| court also give them financial re-
muneration of the value Of the Park
Boards lease on the park which he
! declared was far in excess of the ST.
| 500 which the land was condemned
Tor. Tie believed that the Levy Court
would eventually have to pay far
more than that sum- Sooner or later
you viii get it by condemnation pro-
cess he stated, but you will never
get 1t for s1,50O." He declared that
the railroad company had sold the
property to the Levy Court for the
small sum of $4,000 on account IF
the lease. and that had the Park
Board not held the lease on the prom
erty the railroad would have asked
a much higher price for the ground
In reply to Commissioner Smith,
Mr.. DUPONT stated that the Park
Board valued their lease. on a 16 year
bas.@, 81 SS1 11UU
Mr.. DUPONT believed that the Park
Board would be satisfied If the Levy
Court would deed them the remain.
der OF the land and pay the Park
board an additional sum of S25, 900 fol-
damages done to the property.
IL was the consensus of opinion OF
the Levy Court, however, that the
Park Board would have to recede
materially from their request for s25..
900 In addition to the balance of the
park land
MT. Burris emphatically declared hs
would agree to pay no money. Mr.
Smith and MIR. Fouracre also opposed
Mr.. duPont's suggestion. the lattel
declaring that he did not believe tn,
Park Board should receive even Sc 0Ol
IN addition to the park land which
Levy Court was willing TO deed them
Mr.. Gooding pointed out that this lant
Is valued at about $4,000, based OF
the purchase price of the entire parl
for SOS. 600
Mr. Burris remarked that he hat
learned from good authority that th,
Pennsylvania railroad had intended I,
erect a freight station on the parl
site when the Park Boards lease hat
expired.
Then why did they sell II to you p
asked Mr.. DUPONT
Because they knew we would get
1t by condemnation procedure" re.
piled Mr. Burris.
Mr.. DUPONT urged again that his
! suggestion be followed. You are
I broad-minded men," he said. "and
should look at this matter fairly and
avoid all personalities. know when
MIR. Burris and Mr. Baynard get to-
I gether the fur flies. but we should get
together in a friendly manner. Why
should we fight? Let's get together
and figure out a fair basis of settle
ment and get away from the fight"
Mr. Burris declared emphaticallv that
Levy Court would pay no money. He
moved that Levy Court give to the Park
Board all the park land not utilized as
the approach to the bridge, but no
money on the side.
The motion was seconded and pre
vailed. and in order to get something
definite on record the following resoln.
tion was submitted by Mr.. Fouracrc and
adopted;
Resolved; That the Levy Court
hereby signifies its desire to make ami
able arrangements with the Park Board
lof the City Of Wilmington, whereby the
differences existing between the Lev,
Court and said Park Board may be ad-
/ iuster. and 10 that end will enter into an
arrangement bl lease at an annual renta
of 81 per year for the term OF 25 years
with privilege of renewal, which will al
low the said board to have control oi
such portion Of the land as will not b,
necessary to Third street bridge. tn
lsaid approaches TO be properly grade,
by this Levy Court. and the unused Ian,
to be left in a graded condition"
The motion for the adoption OF tn
resolution was made by Mr.. Burris an,
seconded by Mr.. Gooding.
Mr.. dupont expressed his displeasur
,at the action of the court. stating tina
the situation was practically the sam
as when he began. He suggested tina
three arbitrators be appointed to =,
together and decide on a cash balanc
to be given the Park Board in additio
to the land No action was taken upo
this suggestion.