Evening journal., 1915-01-28
council HAS new
SCHOOL BOARD IDEA
Would Elect Seven Member
Body Along Territorial &.
Lines
NEW ASSESSMENT
BOARD FAVORED

City Council at a meeting Of the
committee Of the whole last night
approved the bill providing for
change in the present Board of Edu-
cation, although in an amended form
IL was asserted following the action
by members of the Wilmington High
School Alumni Association, who had
prepared the original BILL that they
would ask the Legislature to pass
their measure. The bill as favored
by Council calls for a membership IN
the Board of Education Of seven mem
bers elected along territorial lines,
five of these to be elected from the
present representative districts OF the
city. and the other two from the
Senatorial districts. This plan was
urged by Councilman Kane. Mr. Kane
spoke of the advantages of a small
board and the selection of its mem
bers in the manner as outlined. The
question of paying a salary to the
members was also considered, but AS
this would give q partisan aspect to
the office, 1t was decided to allow
this matter TO rest as at present.
II. C.. Mahaffy. of the Alumni, told
the Councilmen that the Alumni has
agreed that any territorial division
is wrong, and as far as he has been
able to ascertain from those to whom
he has spoken. they all favor the
election of the school board at large
This plan, he said, has been found
to be effective in other cities. He
explained that all they want Is the
chance to try the plan.
Mr. Draper explained the amendment
which the Senate will make to the origi.
nal bill. saying the amendment il the
same as that proposed by the Council
that is, to elect from the representativ,
and senatorial districts. When the mo-
tion to approve the bill with this amend
ment was offered, two OF the counclmcr
voted against it,. They favored Tia,
original bill as It stood. It viii be taker
to Dover. and the Legislature will b,
notified that Council favors the amend
ment
Council also conferred with member.
Of the Board of Water Commissioner.
relative to legislation now pending
which is approved by the commission
The chief subject discussed was the bill
eliminating the So minimum water rent
al for meters. President Poole, of tn,
Water Board, said it was not intendo,
TO increase the rate il this rate was re
moved, but he thought IL would be
benefit to the domestic consumer. II
was admitted however, that there may
be more than one rate when the city j
thoroughly metered.
Councilman Hancy wanted 10 know i
the board did not think that all con
sumers should be charged the same, bu
Mr.. Poole replied that something is du
the manufacturer who brings busines
20 the city and who would be drive
out il the price Of water for him is mad
lprohibitive. Mr.. flaney said if the larg
consumer does not pay for all ne use
then the burden of making up the differ
encc falls upon the small consumer
which he did not think is right. Nj
Poole said all cities, he thought, produc
water for the manufacturers at les
than cost.
Mr.. Card, q bacterlologist, who is
doing some work for the board, anC
who is water commissioner in Troy
n. Y. said the manufacturers ther,
pay cents per 1000 gallons Will,
the cost of production is s cents PEI
1000. He admitted that someone haS
to pay the difference.
Mr. Hopes said the domestic con
/ sumer is the most deserving of con
sideration. and they are seeking I,
remedy a situation that makes IN,
small consumer carry the manufac
| turer. He thought the domestic con
sumer will profit when the new sys
/ TEN becomes effective after the entir
] city has been metered. He stated tina
any adjustment of the rates will Ger
tainly be presented to Council fol
their consideration before they be
come operative and further the peo
pie will be made fully conversant wit
them before they go into effect. MI
Hopes said they are not trying {
force new rates on the people and
they are satisfied with what they hav
now then the board will have to b
satisfied.
The proposed act was finally az
proved by Council. The water boar
will send 70 the Council write
explanation and statement of thei
] NAdIN III ANNNlA W Ant lMAllNls
The needs of a new reservoir wei
explained. The bill providing for
S35O,000 loan for this purpose will I
sent to Dover with Councils actio
at present. If the general loan bi
goes through, this $S5O,OO0 loan wi
not be necessary.
Council also approved the bill al
thorizing an appropriation Of 500
annually to the Firemen's Relief A
sOciation, as well as the proposed la
requiring fire insurance compani,
doing business in this city to D,
! annually TO the city one per cent.
their gross profits, the same to
used for the maintenance Of the fl
companies. In case of failure to
b this, the company's license can be T
, voked.
Councilman Slower presented a b
e creating a Board Of Assessment Il
r. Wilmington. providing that the boa
e shall consist OF three members, tv
I Of them TO be named in the bill eal
e. for a term of six years, and the thi
shall be the building inspector. n
men named in the bill must be
S different political faith so the col
> mission win be bipartisan. The 81
q eessors to those named in the b
will be appointed by the mayor.
ID They will devote all their time
the work of the board and they sh;
receive a salary for their work. TIL
8. may be removed for cause by Coun
/ after trial. They will have pow
0 70 engage such assistants as tn
D deem necessary and the board "
4 have full charge of all city and sch,
Q taxes. The bill defines their dut
? and the manner in which the asse
- ment shall be made and the plan Il