Evening journal., 1915-02-10

tive Samuel f. Elliott, Democrat OF
Wilmington, and his Democratic col
leagues of the House yesterday after
noon lined up solidly to prevent VIII
mington getting an efficient system
for the collection of garbage
Under the flimsy plea that Dills
to place the collection of garbage
under the supervision OF the street
and Sewer Department, as the collec-
tiOn of ashes is now made, might
benefit the Republican party, the
Democrats of the House lined up solid
ly and placed an obstacle in the way
of protecting properly the health OF
the people of Wilmington. Repubh-
can members of the House from VIII
mington earnestly advocate the pro-
gressive legislation, but the Demo-
Gratis killed it.
"These bills may be for the protec-
ton of the health of the people OF
Wilmington, but they are also for the
health of the Republican party of
that city," is the way Representative
Elliott summarized his objections to
the bills, to which Representative
Rash took vigorous objection.
Mr.. Elliott evidently placed this
construction upon the bills because
the Street and Sewer Department is
controlled by the Republicans. In
SO doing he overlooked the fact that
City Council, regardless of party. has
endorsed the bills, that the three
members of the Street and Sewer
Department favor them, and that 1t Is
desired to place the collection OF
garbage on a satisfactory basis like
the collection Of ashes under one de-
partment. Democratic opposition to
the measures was enough to Kill
them. as they require a two-thirds
vote, which the Republicans alone
lack. Thus, if Wilmington does not
get a modern garbage collection sys-
TEN, the Democrats in the House will
have to be held accountable for 1t.
Democrats to Block Legislation.
The Democratic pretext of politics"
for preventing Wilmington installing
a satisfactory garbage collection sys-
tenn Is regarded as the forerunner Of
Democratic plan in Senate and
House to kill all the bills they can
that are introduced by Republicans, in
retaliation for the Republican de-
termination to put through bills TO
reorganize the Kent and Sussex coun-
collection systems of that county. 70
which the Democrats object. The
Democrats can, If they choose, kill
any bill requiring more than a ma
jOrity vote.
That the Democrats will try TO
block Republican bills whenever pos
sible, regardless of their merit was
intlmated to some of the Republican
Col
day. That course was talked over in
the Democratic conference on Mon
day, it is reported. Senator Hof-
fecker on Monday was advised by a
Democratic friend TO call up his bill
regarding bonding Of the town Of
Newark, as the Democrats intended
to kill it, This is taken as an in
dicatlon from now on political lines
will be drawn tightly in Senate and
House, and that the Republicans will
go ahead with their bills TO which
the Democrats object as partisan
legislation" The Democrats expect
TO carry their fight against the max
ing of appropriations, too, it is inti-
mated.
One of the health bills killed by the
Democrats yesterday afternoon was
ward and would give City Council Of
Wilmington. control of the disposal of
garbage, which authority the Board Of
Health now has. The contract for the
disposal Of garbage now held by the
Wilmington Sanitary Company, ex-
pires next June. Councilman Draper,
who was given the privilege of the
floor, explained that the disposal of
the garbage cost the city $4,000 last
year. He said If Council had charge
of arranging for the disposal. 1t was
thought it would be done without any
cost to the city.
Representative Letherbury, Demo
crat, voted for this bill and Mr.. Ma
brey. Democrat, answered mot vot-
ing" Speaker Grantland voted mo-
on the bill and Representative Rash
changed his vote from yes" to mo, -
to move for reconsideration later.
The second bill, if enacted into
law, would turn the collection Of the
garbage over to the Street and Sewer
Department. taking it out of the
hands of the Board of Health Coun-
Gilman Draper explained that under
this bill the city would look after the
collection of the garbage without
giving it out by contract. He con-
tended that it would make better ser
vice from the standpoint OF economy,
as well as efficiency. He said the
collection OF garbage during the past
nine years has not been efficient under
the present system and that the Street
and Sewer Department is equipped to
look after it. The original bill pro-
vided that Council appropriate not
less that $4,000 annually to the Street
and Sewer Department TO make the
collections An amendment offered
by Representative Rash, and adopted
by the House, removed the $4,000
clause. it being explained that II
might be possible to collect the gar
bage for less than that amount Mr.
Draper said that all the members OF
City Council were in favor of the bill
Representative Downward explain
ed that the bill which he had intro
duced, was a measure for the protec-
ton of the health of the people OF
Wilmington. to remedy present un-
satisfactory conditions, and he asked
all to vote for il.
1T may be for the health OF the
people of Wilmington, but ii is also
for the health of the Republican
party of the city" exclaimed Repre-
sentative Elliott i'm reply. He denied
that all of the Councilmen were for
the bill.
Representative Rash was on his
feet in an instant. Mr.. Elliott has
made a broad assertion here" said