Evening journal., 1917-03-13
CITY CAN'T PAVE
ALL MUDDY Streets
Department Says Only Re-
lief is in Abutting
Property Law
URGES CITIZENS TO
FAVOR THE BILL

That the condition OF the city streets I
has stirred ND widespread indigna-
ton was evident at the meeting Of
the Street and Sewer Directors this
morning. when more than dozen
letters were read, the majority Of .
which were complaints relative 70
various streets and avenues Where
the complaints referred to streets
listed for spring repairs the writer
were notified that the work was to
/ be started IS soon as weather con- /
/ dit.ons would permit. In other cases +,
( the board asserted that nothing could .
I be done until appropriations We're
1 granted by the City Council.
The attitude Of the board was eX-
pressed in a letter dictated by Presi-
dent George W. Sparks in reply to a
commun cation from William d.
/ Bishop of No. West Twenty-seventh
street in which a protest was made
against the condition OF Twenty
seventh street between Market and
| Tatnall streets. Mr.. Bishop said IN
some places i was impossible for a
horse or an automobile to pub
through
"I would like to know how much
AUAHNi AaAsr oNAEtN 10 W nN ANAA IA AAAAn
condition and what do We pay high
tax for?' the letter read.
In reply 20 the complaint Of the con
dition of Twenty street be-
tween Market and Iatnall streets, the
board directed Mr. Bishop be notified
that "this board deeply deplores that
condition Of this street, which is in keep
ing with one hundred miles Of tmim-
proved streets in the city OF Wilmington.
and which it is impossible for this de-
pRrtment to caro- for at the season Of
the year when the frost is coming from
the ground. For years this department
? has made an effort before the Legisla-
ture TO have this condition remedied
and there is 8 bill now there for that
purpose receiving little if any support
from the citizens of this city, and not
/ very favorably looked upon by some Of
tho members Of the legislature because
, of that lack Of support.
s "Ihe borrowing capacity OF the city
I of Wilmington is insufficient for the
d Council. if so minded. TO borrow enough
q money to put al the streets in good
r condition under the existing law, snC
- the citizens OF Wilmington must awaker
a TO the fact that a change must be made
e or the conditions as now exist will con
{ tinue TO exist during every year at thil
season.
s This board has received tho con-
10 demnation of the citizens generally
for matters over which 1t is totally
a helpless and now asks the citizens Of
3, the city, particularly those who are
interested in the improvement of the
a streets fronting their property thai
}" they go before the Legislature and de
g mand that the measure now befOrl
d them. or one OF similar kind that vii
e afford the relief required, be passed
l. The board has done everything in IL
Ie power to create and excite this inter
est to no purpose. 1t might be Of ma
Il terial benefit to appeal to the Mayo
IF and Council to aid in this matter an'
r would so suggest. In the meantime j
is useless for the citizens to appeal t,
this department for the improvement
OF streets for which no funds hav'
N been appropriated, for it is powerlesI
sr to act.
t Other streets complained OF follow
D. Walnut from Ninth TO Eleventh
l. street. Beech street from Marylan
,e avenue 10 Railroad street, Eleventh
le street from Lombard to Pine stree
y anu 4OAAA rAAtNh AA0AAA AA-eA AA~N 4
ID Union, portion of the Ninth war
T. from Market to Madison street in
rs westerly direction. and from Thirtiet
70 Thirty-fifth street in a northerl
IL direction. The complaints for Oh
aforementioned streets were mad
ly through the City Council and the con
munications were signed by H.
Simmons. clerk.
The following reply was directed
Ii the Council;
N, THAT such streets as have bee
W placed on the established list fC
elk street paving will be paved as SOC
tn, hereafter as the contractor can con
is. plete the work and other streets
As soon as the Council appropriates Il
r. money to do the work"
M II was unanimously resolved by d
NJ. board that the president be direot'
B. to appear before the Council at Il
Cd regular meeting next Thursday eve
ing and request their assistance in q
passage OF the bill now pending b
fore the Legislature relative to d
.bo paving of streets by payment OF abU
~ ting properties, this bill having be-
w.. compiled at their direction.