Evening journal., 1915-03-19

4 fair men in the city of Wilmington to
do the thing right. I shall also ask
that they send the fifteen members
who voted for the resolution calling
for the investigation, and also the
sick member who presented it, who
ever he may be- We want the thing
done right. We don't want to put in
Z half hour or so but to devote several
days a week and get the matter clear
ed up properly" said Mr.. Groves.
President HOIlingsworth's Position.
When asked if he favored such an
investigation Mr.. Hollingsworth said
81 think II would be wise thing TO
have such an investigation to clear up
the matter with the people and the
newspapers. The people do not
/ realize that the Legislature spends
about seyenty-five per cent of the
county's money and the Levy Court is
simply tools who have to spend II.
+ The Levy Court only spends twenty
five per cent of the money, yet ninety
per cent. Of the people think they
spend II all" He explained this state
ment by pointing out that about sew
enty-ive ber cent. of the money that
! passes through the hands of the Levy
Court is done at the direction of the
Legislature to pay appropriations or
dered by that body to the county in
stitutions, and he also stated that the
law provides just how much shall be
expended per mile for the improved
roads of the county.
William A. Scott, one of the two
Democratic members Of the court, de-
clared himself favorable to the inves-
tigation. He said: 81 would welcome
an investigation coming from the
proper source. | think such an inves-
tigation would he the best thing in
the world to clear up the situation.
will admit that we have spent too
much money. but we have got the
goods to show what we spent Il for"
He explained at length that the people
of the county demanded more good
: roads, which the court had tried to
give them, believing that good roads
would be good thing for the
county.
Commissioner Martin K. Smith. the
other Democrat in the court. said:
ut doesn't make bit of difference
to me-" He intimated, however that
he would not be adverse to having an
investigation made.
| When asked how he felt toward the
investigation question Commissioner
| Fouracre said
Il am not opposed to an investiga-
tiOn but ! am opposed to the methods
that are heing pursued in the cOndem-
nation of the Levy Court by the news
papers who do not know a thing about
it," Mr.. Fouracrc explained that he
did not deem an investigation neces-
sary, as the books Of the Levy Court
we're open at all times TO persons who
were interested in them. and they had
nothing to conceal. He stated that
the Levy Court did deserve criticism
for lowering the tax rate 10 SO cents
on the 100 when they first came into
office two years ago, and he stated
that the trouble at that time was oc-
casioned by the fact that the newly
elected members had listened to out
siders who had advised the reduction
OF the tax rate. whereas they should
have used their own judgment He
declared. however, that in the future
the court, so far as he was concerned
would use its best judgment in the
management of the countys affairs
and would turn a deaf car to advice
coming from outside sources. MT
Fouracre explained how large
amount of money had been expended
TO build new roads at the direction
of the Legislature, and with the ap-
> proval of the Governor.
= He declared that the people of the
county and the newspapers have not
I been fair in their criticism of the
court and he would welcome any in.
4 ] tfouffouffp,, hat 80, IL
1 the court in its true light before tn,
public
II have surfaced the roads in st
4 Georges and Pencader hundreds
i continued Mr.. Fouracre, "and outside
of French street there is not a street
4 in Wilmington that will compare witt
these roads. The newspapers FIND
4 fault, with the conditions of roads bu
q we never hear a word about tn,
! streets of Wilmington, which are fai
4 from being equal with our count,
q roads The Street and Sewer Depart
q ment permits this city to have pave
4 ments unworthy of a colored settle
y ment in Blackbird hundred"
I "lIe TOO,r Says Burris.
Il Commissioner Burris agreed will
j Mr.. Fouracre, declaring that he favor
4 ed an investigation. He said:
B II think we should get the facts
God knows that is what l want TO &c
q the facts. think that an investiga
n tion would be the best thing that eve
happened for New Castle count.
There has been too much criticism
too much talk. What we want
facts, plain facts!" Mr.. Burris adde
that If the investigation was held, tn
committee in charge of It should hay
full authority to summon any perso
\ or persons they desired as Witnesses
y no matter what position those person
4 might hold. Mr.. Burris intimated this
some one holding a high Office migl
be summoned as a witness in such
case
Being a new member OF the cour
q Mr.. Purks makes clear his position
the following statement:
"This is my position. was not
member of that court and | do M
care to be drawn into any probe of
So far as | personally am concernt
Hi would be glad to see the matte
cleared up to the satisfaction of Il
n taxpayers" He remarked that If Il
investigation should be made formi
~ I.a a..