Evening journal., 1915-05-22
SATURDAY MAY 22. 1915
IT IS A JOB FOR THE ATTORNEY. GENERAL.

TT is A JOB FOR THE Acknowledgement.
-, HRoUGH the courtesy Of a member of the Whining
4 ton Chamber OF Commerce enabled to lay
before the public today the text Of letter that John
J. saerhwait president Of that body, has sent to the
president and the members Of the New Castle county
Levy Court It is follows:
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.
wilmington, Del. May IA. 1915.
President and Members Of the Levy Court,
Wilmington, Delaware.
Our file ssO5-G As citizens and members of the Levy
Court of New Castle county, we believe you Will agree
with that public and official attitude against the
county administrative affairs is deporahle 1t is injur-
ing the countys credit preventing effective current
work stopping constructive planning county AFFAIRS
and holding up needed and profitable improvements.
Public officials neither effectively nor economi-
cally perform their duties under such conditions
In common with most citizens are at a loss to
account for the present situation To what extent
the men. the measures and the methods applied to
conducting the countys business at fault? Much of the
trouble may be readily cleared up by frank and CO.
operative steps with a committee of interested and re-
sponsble citizens selected to study this question along
helpful lines.
We depore the suggestion of a forced investigation
and therefore propose that citizens committee of six
members serving without compensation be selected to
study this question in cooperation with your body and
on the following lines
First-Two of the citizeps' committee to be chosen
by the Levy Court; two by Mayor Howell Of Whining
ton. and two by Attorney General Wolcott
Second-The Levy Court by resolution, to agree that
it's members and employees will fully and frankly con-
fer with such citizens committee (under oath when
requested) and answer all questions to the best OF their
knowledge and belief
Thrd-1xpense OF investigation to he borne one-haf
by the Levy Court and onehaf by private subscriptions
which the Chamber of shall undertake to
cure II this general proposition is accepted
We cannot help but feel that you will welcome this
proposition deeply interested in Strengthening
the countys affairs, irrespective Of whether the
blame may be placed individuals practices unjust
public criticism.
The wisdom and value of proceeding promptly on some
such lines should appeal to all bicsprited citizens
uYlao mutt Tho tpfq
sonal opinion and personal sacrifice
We would deeply regret your refusal to cooperate
with citizens committee, the obvious conclusion Of
the public at large would be that conditions exist which
Respectfully submitted
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
BY J. J. Satterthwat President
If we are to have an Investigation of our county af-
fairs think 1t would be much better to have It
Quoted by the Attorney General who is the chief in
quistoriai agent Of our State He is Democrat and
the Levy Court controlled by Republican majority
It cannot be contended therefore that an investigation
conducted under such auspices would be spoiled by
friendly political considerations the part OF the in
quistor In addition. such investigation would
possess the saving OF being conducted alonl
proper and legal lines. It's results would be accepted BY
the public conclusive That would not be true al
regards such an investigation the that is pro
posed by the Chamber OF Commerce Attorney Gen
era wolcott probably knows about Levy Cour
conditions than does any member Of the Chamber o
Commerce. He and his Wilmington deputy bus
men While they too busy TO he chasing rainbow
or endeavoring solve the mystery underlying vari
colored rings about the sun, have doubt that
those members OF the Chamber OF Commerce who ar
so keen for a Levy Court investigation have in thei
possession anything against that body that in the opn
ion of the Atorney-General warrants inquisorial
ton he will drop everything and insert the probe a
deeply into county affars as circumstances seem Z
warrant him in going.
1t would be folly TO make such investigation a
the one the Chamber Of Commerce proposes. In IN
first place those who. would make Il. II one wer
made, should be wholly free from Levy Court Unfit
ence; whereas. the Chamber of Commerce plan pre-
Yides that one-third Of the investigating committee
appointees of the Levy Court II also seeks TO ha,
the Levy Court exercise powers that Il does n,
possess and 10 make illegal expenditures Of money
furtherance Of the investigation plan. To the
things should the Levy Court be a party because su
an investigation would be inoonclusive and tainted
rregulsrity.
As said before, II TO have investigate
let it be a real and conclusive one conducted by
Attorney General-one that will for something
the public mind after it has been completed.
We do not desire to "wish" anything of an unpleass
and time-consumng nature upon such a busy man
Attorney-Genera Wolcot but if the job of investg
saz the Levy Court is To be undertaken by anyone
should be undertaken by him and carried out Will
thoroughness that will leave in the public mind
shred of doubt relative the guilt innocence OF
levy Court Commissioners in the matter of the trans
ton OF the public business.
When one thinks of the countless number Of tin
the Armenians have been massacred by the Turks, il