Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1917-04-20

Of the affair indeed, only to be stirred
up almost Immediately.
Councilman Williams presented n
resolution which he said had been
handed to him to present. in which
the Council recommended TO the Gov
ernor that he sign the police pay bill,
and giving to that bill the endorse
ment o. the Council. He said. in pre-
senting this resolution, that he nevOr
knew of Council having taken any
action in opposition to the bill, and
moved its adoption by 4 yea and nay
vote, also. Mr. McDermott urged the
adoption Of the resolution.
Mr.. Draper stated that when the
bill was first brought out. the Council
and its finance committee. after in
vestigation. ascertained that they had
ample authority in the matter, and
that il was not necessary for the po-
lice or anyone in their behalf TO go
to the Legislature for increase of
salaries. He said that when the bill
was referred to the committee of the
House. he had not beoa invited to
confer with them regarding IL, as the
representative of the Council. but
that the Police Commission and the
! finance committee of the Council had
had a conference with relation to the
subject, at which the latter informed
/ the police commissioners that they
would recommend to the Council the
| passage of a resolution which would
/ enable the Police Department salaries
! to be eQualizcd and increased under
the budget to be submitted this
| month, and which would become
operative with the next fiscal year
commencing July 1. He said that il
was entirely unnecessary to go to the
LEGISLATURE. because. with the recon-
mendation of Council, the Police Com
mission would have authority TO dc
| what II chose in the matter within
the limits set by Council.
Mr.. Draper said that in order &c
enable them to complete their budge
estimates, it was necessary for the
/ Police Commission to know just wha
Council proposed to grant them il
the way Of an increase. and sun
approximating $4,000 additional was
promised them.
Some members of the Legislature
did not consider that the Council
would carry out its promises TO tn
Police Commission" said Mr.. Draper
land presented the bill in the House
want to state that the finance com
T mittee and the Council always hav
fulfilled their promises, and are read
} and willing now to increase an
equalize the salaries in accordanc
with our promise. However IL wa
J ] A. i or d
S23, 900 which was stated in the Legis
lature but in reality carried an al
b preparation Of an additional amour
over present appropriations aggregat
, ing S33.22S. This was more tina
r 500 in excess Of the amount repre-
) scented to that body when the bill wa
, being discussed
Increase On Taxpayers.
"The finance committee realize
that to meet the requirements OF tina
, bill as il stands means a great in
crease to the taxpayers. an increas
of over "a on the thousand. for on
! department alone To the sma
/ property owner. owning his own III
tie home. approX,mating $4,000
, value. il means that this one increas
, in departmental appropriations wi
add in the neighborhood Of $12 to h
-. yearly taxes The increase whic
we promised tho department woul
y | mean a tax rate increase of approx
\ mately two cents.
= 1--WE do not want public condemns
ton directed at us for the necessi
Of such an increase of taxation. z
one department. forced on us, and
:, have people saying that certain pc
5 pie here increased the taxes COun'
= is in favor Of increasing and equal
u ing the policemen's salaries. and W
Il do so, but I hope that no member W
o vote away the home rule power v
r now enjoy. and which has been i
d creasing from year to Year Let tn
II bill stand before the Governor wit
J. out endorsement How many ha
It seen this bill? I never could get
IS copv of IT,
J. Has Mr.. Draper or any other mer
g Der of Council heard any opposite
e from the people to this bill" queri
Is Mr. McDermott. Labor has endors
d if. and. IL the people were again
ie g. you'd soon hear from the Tia