Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1917-02-20
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 1917.
LET NO INJUSTICE BE DONE.

PNVHIE lis ample evidence throughout our city lnaL
the public heartily approves OF the course of City
Council in taking appeal from the decision
OF Chancellor Curtis in the case of the so-called
Taxpayers League against William 2. White. formerly
President City Council and Colonel Weller T. slower,
formerly chairman Of the Finance Committee of City
Council and both Of them, by virtue OF their Offices
members Of the Board of Assessment Revision and
Appeals Under the Chanceors decision it is ordered
that the aggregate Of 1900 paid to those two men
for their long and important work OF revising and
oqualizng city shall be returned to the
city treasury the ground that the payment was UNI
constitutional.
Pending a final adjustment of the matter the pub
lie in justice NIrwhite and Colonel Slower, should
bear several facts in mind. They
That the work done by them not only important,
but we'll done
That it was approved by City Council. and Mayor
Howell authorized by unanimous vote Of the Della
ware Legislature and by the signature Of Governor
Miller and endorsed by the Wilmington Chamber Of
Commerce and the public generally.
That the work lasted from October until tho end Of
April.
That the $1,000 appropriated, to be divided among
the in unequal shares according to the time made
by each man. miserable compensation for such
highy-important public work
THAT there was, from start to finish. nothing Of an
nnderhand nature I'm the transaction and that Mr..
White and Colonel Slower acted in absolute good faith
That a better public understanding may be had OF
the matter by the Wilmington taxpayers, it may be
well trace here the which led up the de-
csion Of the Chancellor that the payment the $1,000
Illegal and the belief of the City Council that the
Chancellor erred in ruling
For many years it felt by those who fam-
lar with existing conditions that system of
Sessing real estate in Wilmington absolutely need
I'd In the year 1913 the General Assembly OF the
State passed act which authorized the old Board OF
Assessment, Revision and Appeals to institute new
system basis OF assessment of real es
tate in the city.
Immediately after the new Council went into Office
on July /, 1913. William p. White President Of
Council, and Col Weller e. Slower, Chairman OF the
Finance Committee and by reason Of such both also
members of the Board Of Assessment Revision and APP
peals, began investigation in various cities deter
mine the best methods used in those cities in
tion with the assessment Of real estate.
Although the board fully realized the magnitude Of
the work and the difficulties encountered in COM
peting it IN limited period of time began its work
in October OF that year. From October until the end
OF April the two labored practically every day
and night on this work and by reason OF their being
compelled 10 devote all OF their time IT, they
not paid their salaries by the corporations with whom
they were connected. Mayor Howell and the men,
bers Of Council in Office that time fully appreciated
the sacrifices which the had made in the interest
the city and decided that it would be unfair not
No compensate them for the work which they had
done Also fftytwo members OF the Legislature unani-
mously voted their endorsement and Governor Miller
also approved it. The Chamber OF Commerce likewise
approved OF the assessment work done and also en-
dorsed the proposed action properly compensate
board
Twice City Council and the Mayor declared them
seNes In favor Of compromising the men. Twice the
e'""aie Legislature voted in favor OF such compen-
s1.oh Under the first legislative act the Chancellor
ueu AGAINST the extra pay because that act did not
.e"o'e 'he oar that existed in the old law With
inc plain intent OF doing Justice To Mr. White ana
rOoionel slower City Council and the Nla,or onDro,e,
OF another legislative bill; the Ieeislatnro s a.
and Governor Miller signed it. II IA that 1a. 80. -
Chancellor Curtis now has upset ON th -, y,
such use Of public money is unconstitpt,ona, mat
Few persons realize what a great beneet tn -
sessment has been to the city Since 1o1s -, %
creased expenditures of the city have been oy sooo
600 and under the old system OF assessment a 80,
have been necessary to increase the rate fully os
cents each hundred dollars Of assessed wilma
fion TO meet these increased expenditures In add
ton TO this il had been the unfafng custom q
Council prior TO the Inauguration Of the new assess
mcnt close its fiscal year with deficit ranging fror
fifty to eighty thousald dollars. Since that tim
Council each year paid all its obligations and Ia
small cash balance remaining hand, without IN
necessity of borrowing any money.
Even If the Chanceors decision be upheld by IN
appellate court, should be found to max
unnecessary White and Slower refund the money
Tey worked hard. nteIligentIy and openly; they di
great public SERVICE they received less than they shou
have received, and they should be permitted TO keep