Evening journal., 1916-12-12
BETTER Wilmington
IS new THE SLOGAN
Mayor Price and Business
Men Talk City Better
ments TO Church Men
"IF YOU CAN'T BOOST
DON'T KNOCK"

Wilmington will be better city. in
it's go, eminent and in It's beauty when
the citizens realize fully their response
bility TO unite the highest spiritual
ideals with those Of every day business
Of the metropolis.
This was the declaration Of speakers
at the annual meeting of st. james
brotherhood, in Grace Methodist Epis
copal Church last night. Mayor James
+. Price. David Snellenburg William j..
McCorkindale, Henry G. Downward,
president 0f the City Council; Oscar c..
Draper, chairman of the finance commit
tee OF the City Council and the Rev.
Herbert r. Randolph pastor of the
church, had something to say of the
need of conducting the city government
honestly and for the hest interests Of
the community, and of building the city
beautifully because, they said the
esthetic i'm the city appeals 10 the inn
agination, enlarges the point of view
and provides larger outlook upon civic
problems. Tn other words, a city beau
tiful pays in larger return both ma
terially and morally
The meeting was called TO order by
J.. T.. Leyield, president Of the brother
hood. and at the short business meeting
officers for the ensuing year were elected
as follows;
President. William Harris; vice-presi-
dent. Haldeman G.. Stout; secretary, w.
l.. Harris; treasurer, Charles +. Wilson.
a vote Of thanks Was rendered to the
Singer who assisted nj the recent
brotherhood banquet. and other business
was transacted. Tie subject for dis
cussion for the evening was announced
by Mr. Iayiieid as "Our City and Our
Responsibility; How 10 Make II Better
Mayor Price. Mr.. McCorbindale and
Mr. Snellenhurg spoke directly to the
subject. Mr. Draper and Mr.. Down
ward explained matters connected with
the business of carrying on the city
government. and DR.. Randolph spoke es-
peciallv of the spiritual relation Of the
city beautiful to its citizenship and its
ideals. Following the speaking a dinner
was served.
speech said
I'm the first place VIC are all proud
of our city because VIC believe it to
be one OF the best in the land. As
business men and working men, YOU
gentlemen must get into politics and
take an interest i'm your primary cleo
tions and see that the best men Of
your political parties arc selected
for office.
do not criticize your public Off
Gals until you have the facts in hand
as to what they are doing or trying
10 do
1.-THE law will not always let them
do what they would like 20 in public
matters It is different in private
corporations.
FOR instance, the Mayor must sign
all contracts made by The Council
or any coordinate branch of the city
no matter what he may think of the
same.
THE question of graft often arises
in the minds of our citizens. l want
10 impress this on your minds-do not
think all Office holders are dishonest
] say positively to the best of my
knowledge I do not know of any graft
whatever in our city, in any of its de
partments. But on the other hand,
do know of our city officials. in some
cases, using their own private funds
to help advance the city's interests.
1.-THE citizens of Wilmington should
take more interest in civic affairs and
thereby encourage, at least, your Off
cial servants by visiting the various
departments of our city. Take our
Street and Sewer, Water, Police De-
partments, and our Board of Assess
ment. visit them at their various
meetings. ask them questions pertain
ing to civic matters and they will be
,nly too glad to give you any inform
stion pertaining to city affairs.
"Nour responsibility 20 improve tn
city l'es in the fact. as stated above, T.
take more interest in city affairs.
"You will doubtless be called shortl
10 express your views on the abuttin
paving property question. There ar
several questions Of public interest sue
as the abuttiug property, river front
and the collection OF garbage. and th
housing of our people and of those com
ing into our midst who have no home
provided for them. These are very vita
questions.
81 want 10 commend the members O
ST. James brotherhood for this meet
ING and hope that the different men
organization Of our city will likewis
take up these pubic questions and b
30 doing you viii familisrize yourselve
with city matters
Mr.. Snellenburg n Booster.
Mr. Snellenburg said in part.
Il am expected 10 talk to you fo1
a few minutes this evening about 'Ou
City and Our Responsibility to I'm
prove IT.
IF I were allowed but one word II
which I was expected to comprehend
the meaning of things, at this mo
ment I could not think Of a better o
a more comprehensive word than re
sponsibility.'
. wonder sometimes how many o
our good people really value with an,
broad deep consciousness. what thel
institutions stand for and il we eve
realize the profound responsibilit