Evening journal., 1917-11-30
POINT OUT Need OF
MORE CITY REVENUE
Housing Committee Submits
lis Recommendations TO
Mayor Lawson
ADEQUATE SCHEME
OF PLANNING URGED

Of a committee appointed recently by
Mayor Lawson TO consider tho housing
problem in Wilmington, which has
Just submitted its report TO the
Mayor The committee deems II unwise
10 suggest q definite building program
at this time. because such a program
would conflict with the mobilization OF
men and dollars for war purposes.
The committee which comprises
Joseph L. Carpenter Jr.. chairman; H..
W. Behen. Samuel H. Baynard, John :.
Hamilton and James O'Kane, with J. a.
CORY as secretary. makes some general
recommendations, however. IL recon-
mends that the mayor appoint COM
mittee, and that Council appropriate
SUFFICIENT funds 10 make an investiga-
tion and complete report Of the taxing
system n different cities in Whining
tons class. ana setting forth the Vari-
Gus sources Of revenue in those cities.
Somehow we are collecting and
spending too little money" the COM
mttee states, "and az the end II will
prove that this fact is in a large meas
ure at the bottom Of most u our
problems"
The committee recommends that tho
Mayor point out TO Council the neces-
city for a planning scheme that VII
contemplate progressive street opening.
paving and the opening Of more avail
able sites for the building Of houses.
Tie committees report Is as follows
ITO John W. Lawson, ESD, Mayor:
Your committee on housing re-
ports that II esteems it impossible for
n TO suggest a definite program which
IN any useful measure might promise
% alleviate the prevailing acute need
for houses in Wilmington at this time.
1T Is being realized more and more
every minute that every man and every
dollar must be mobilized for the COM
pelling demands Of war. Any program
Of building houses in satisfactory
way which we might suggest must
come, we submit, in collision with
this war situation.
we do not overlook the fact that
housing the people is IN an impor-
tant measure a means Of winning the
war, but Notwithstanding T.is we cs-
TEEN 10 impossible for your commit
tee 70 recommend anything practicable
which would promise 10 accomplish
much at this immediate time. Wo
understand that the national Govern
ment Is considering building houses
here for munltion workers. and this
might be solvent. one moreover, In
which our interference or advice would
hardly be called for or necessary.
What We have said Is the definite
conclusion we have arrived az con-
corning prevailing conditions In rela-
ton to housing, but your committed
thinks IL incumbent upon Il and urgent
upon 10 20 make certain concrete rec
concentrations which Will visualize
some mistake or nesligences Of the past
hoping and believing that the recogni-
tion n these mistakes and the possible
securing Of a solvent for the negligences
would discover conditions in VIII
mington which might make impos-
sihls ssain such a condition Of affairs
in the realm Of housing as has existed
IN Wilmington since the war began
and did exist in Wilmington in a less
acute degree before the war began. and
probably would exist when the war is
ended II your nscal system is moi
changed.
An investigation by your committee
Of conditions which exist here discover:
that Wilmington collects less money
and spends less money for tho support
Of the city than does any other city
IN its class we could 1nd in tht
United States census report.
Your committee submits 10 you thai
somehow we are collecting and spend
ling too little money, and at the end 4
will prove that this fact is, in a large
measure, at the bottom OF most Of oul
problems, which are all somehow in ;
measure housing problems
we recommend that you appoint Z
committee Of representative citizens anS
ask that City Council appropriate sum
cient funds 10 make an investigation
and complete report tby the commit
tee) Of the taxing system Of differen
cities in Wilmington's class. with tn
various sources Of revenue In the differ
ent cities where the inquiry is made.
1--WE make this recommendation he
cause we believe Wilmington people
when they know will 90 in for spend
ing as much and do as much as wil
other peoples.
I'VE recommend that you address
message 70 City Council calling atten
tiou 10 the necessity az a plannin
scheme or system for the city. whicl
scheme or system along with considera
ton for other needed betterments. Wi
be such as will contemplate prOgres
slve street opening. and improve
ments in the way Of pavements an
the like. whenever and wherever sue
improvements suggest or promise tha
the same would result in the openin
up Of available and convenient land 70
the building Of houses or making
more homable city. We believe tina
much land now diflcult and impossible
could in this way be made available
the city much benefited and the build
Of houses encouraged and promoted.
I'VE have been urged TO say some
thing about a more liberal attitude Z
the banking interest towards loans 10
building operations, but II Is the opr
ion Of your committee that this wOul
prove an easy detail In any schem
which had a real plan and which ha
the means behind the plan which prom
ises an expansive and enlightened and
continuous city beiterment.
1--WE believe the Wilmington bankS
and capitalist will keep step with N
enterprsing Wilmington builder, ono
there is a promising scheme ~ con
mlnitv betterment which banker an
builder can understand and give the
approval, and which banker and bulk
or can rely upon TO accommodate !
self 20 all reasonable community need
"Ne have made this report as bril-
as we could, because we have conclude
that Wilmington, with more than
one hundred thousand population,
trying 10 get along on a sixty thol
~ N..NI