Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1918-02-08
224l Pound TON
IS State STANDARD
City Solicitor Bayard So In
iorcS Council Relative
to Coal Question
CITY FINANCES TO
BE EXPLAINED

In an opinion given to the law COM
mlttee OF City Council and presented
by that committee TO the Council last
night City solicitor Thomas F. Bayard
says there is an act Of the Legislature
liking 2.2iO pounds Of coal as the
standard ton Of that commidity in Della
ware. The Taxpayers League had ask
ed Council to take steps TO fix a
standard weight and Mr.. Bayard's
opinion was sought as to Councils
authority 10 pass such an ordinance.
Mr.. Bayard pointed out that Chapter
$50. Volumne o., Laws Of Delaware, is
an act fixing the standard weight OF
ihis act Is effective throughout the
state lie said Council has the au-
ton Of coal at 2,2iO pounds and That
fhorlfv 90 pass an ordinance establish
ing standard weight 10 this city. nut
the state law applies everywhere IN
delaware and an ordinance would be
duplication. .,,
Il venture the suggestion wrote
Mr. Bavard 10 the law committee
chat the Taxpayers League, II It de-
sires can bring about the enforce
mont Of the act Of the assembly Just
ss well and lust as easily as u could
hiring about the enforcement Of a pro-
nosed ordinance covering the same mai
Tor for II would make no difference
under which one Of the two laws
either the ordinance OF the act, pro
cedure is taken II the same result is TO
be accomplished
The report was received and nled
and a copy Of the opinion ordered sent
70 the Taxpayers League.
Councilman Robertson, chairman OF
tho finance committee. called atten-
ton 10 the fact that two letters ask
ing for expenditures OF city money had
baen referred Ia his committee and that
he had been instructed to make a report
an them He said ne had gone into the
financial affairs Of the city and he
ihoueht IT well not 10 make his report
ia the Council until such time as tn
0nance committee can fully inform all
Inc members Of the financial condition
~ the citv treasury. lie thought all the
members should know all about the
financial standing Of the city for ne
did not believe in hiding anything
from them or anyone else as regards
city affairs.
Al the meeting Of the committee Of
the whole next Wednesday night
therefore he said. he will lay before
an the members the financial affairs
Of Wilmington up TO February 4 an'
after that they will know how to Vot
when IT comes to question or eA
pending the city's cash.
letter was received from the Wash
incfon Fire Company asking that IN
ronncU take some action toward nav
ing tho cards printed as the iiremel
noAl them. This matter was referrel
fo the fire committee.
Tho balance in bank to the credi
or tho city was reported 10 be S69''
1871.
President Lyon called attention to tn
fact that he had received through IN
mails an anonymous communication j
me shape OF a newspaper clippns !
was a dispatch from Washington D
which John SHELTON Williams, comp
iroils~ Of the treasury. was reported t
have asked forbearance and consider
alton for public utilities.
Mr. Lvon declared he has no respeC
for anv man who Is afraid 10 sign hi
name 70 a letter CT anything else .
sends through the mails. and that b
dasnised such q communication an
would nav no attention TO them II
thought no one should be afraid
approach him 10 discuss anythihs'
he Will always talk business with am
one
several OF the other members r.
ceived similar clippings In the san
way.