Evening journal., 1917-02-02
REFERENDUM ON
FIRE Department
Council Thinks Citizens
Should Say Whether
Change in System
Should be Made
PAVING LAW ALSO
MAY REACH VOTE

Members OF City Council at their
weekly session last night adopted a
resolution empowering President OF
Council Henry c. Downward, a mem
Der OF the State Legislature. to pre-
sent TO that body a bill providing for
a referendum vote OF the citizens OF
this city on the question OF whether
the present volunteer fire department
should be continued. The resolution
was presented by Mr.. Downward. who
stated that Council was unable to
sound properly the public sentiment
on the question. He thought that a
direct vote on the question would be
tho best means 70 ascertain the peo-
pies wishes In the matter. Council
man Mcooldrick, & member Of the
Water Witch Fire Company, approved
this plan, saying that the public did
not realize what IL would cost 20
maintain q paid department. and that
none OF those who had urged the paid
system had yet stated that II would
cost the city about 100000 10 install
a paid sysem and the annual up-keep
would be about $4,000. He thought
the taxpayers should know what the
cost would be before they voted on
he question.
Councilman Draper, chairman OF
DE finance committee OF Council, APP
proved the resolution, saying a paid
lire department would mean an in
crease OF at least II cents on the
100 dollar assessment. which would
be a heavy burden on the taxpayers.
Councilman Draper also suggested that
provision be made In the proposed law
TO allow a referendum on the question
Of the admitting property paving law,
which has been proposed for this city.
Councilman McDermott opposed this,
saving that he thought only property
owners should be allowed TO vote on
this last question Councilman Nc
Goldrick took exception TO this remark,
saying the renters of houses also paid
taxes
Further discussion ceased, however,
when Councilman Kane stated that he
did not think the two subjects should
be combined In the one law aud nothing
further was done last night IN providing
Tor q referendum on the paving ques-
ton. paving question referendum will
he approved az the meeting Of Council
next week and sent 20 Dover for che
consideration OF the Legislature.
Council also gave the first and second
readings last night TO a proposed ordi
nance providing for a semi-monthly pay
dav for all city employees The ordi
nance was IN blank form and afte
being adopted by Council it win be for
wnrded to the Legislature.
Councilman Draper also had passed !
resolution asking the Legislature 4
defer action on any bills pertaining Il
this city until the Mayor and Council
are given an opportunity to be hcans
on such measures.
The annual report Of the Board 81
Health was received and deferred 10 IN,
committee of the whole. The printing
committee win have the report printed
John r. Burrows. OF Seventeenth
and Tatnall streets. complained OF
the condition OF those streets and
asked that something be done TO rem
edy them. oven II ashes had 20 be
dumped there The complaint was
referred to the Street and Sewer De
partment for action. The members
spoke OF the dirty condition Of the
streets generally throughout the city
und some expressed the hope that the
Board OF Health would summon thl
Street and Sewer Department direc
tors before them and instruct then
10 have the streets cleaned.
William Mckinley Commandery, No
SIS. knights OF Malta, filed a proies
against the removal OF Delaware ave
nue. Baptist Church This was re
ferred TO the committee OF the whole
The balance in bank 70 the credi
OF the city was reported 20 be S444,
02S5e
C0LORED STARS