Evening journal., 1919-07-10
COUNCIL OPPOSES
LEASECANCELLATION
Thinks City Should Control
All Water Front Privi-
leges in the Future
OPEN FIGHT ON
ALL SIGN BOARDS

Disspproval by City Council Of The
proposition Of the Park Board to can
eel the clty's lease with the p. B. & w.
railroad for part Of the park land on the
Christiana river at Fourth street was
expressed by several members Of the
Council in meeting as a committee
Of the whole last evening. All mem
bers Of the body opposed the proposed
action, and President Lyon declared
that TO turn the land over would be
zone Of the most disgraceful things
ever done in Wilmington"
Discussion OF the matter arose when
the communication sent TO Council last
week was brought mp. In the COM
munication IL was pointed out that the
New Jersey and Wilmington Ferry
Company, which has purchased the
land from the railroad company. sub
iect TO the lease. would pay TO the city
5000 for the cancellation Of the lease,
which has nine years vet to run. and
viii also pay the taxes. So that the
gain to the city would be $1,000. SUI
perintendent OF Parks Mack appeared
for the board.
The proposition seemed TO meet with
lthe disapproval Of all the Councilmen,
iwhO believed that the city should re-
tain the water front COuncilmen Muir
ray and Kane vigorously opposed the
suggestion. and President Lyon freely
criticized the Park Board for its ac-
tlon, declaring that TO turn the park
land over to the steamboat company
would be zone Of the most disgraceful
things ever done in Wilmington"
Mr.. Kane subjected Superintendent
Mack 10 a string Of rspid-flre questions.
he declared the property the boat COM
pany is trying 20 get is worth at least
100000 20 the ci.y.
i've been in Council a long while
he exclaimed, land ] think that is one /
Of the most disgraceful things that has /
been done since I've been in here
Mr. Mack presented a chart show /.
ing the exact location of the land in /.
question, which has a frontage OF 2i0 /
feet on the Christiana creek
How much river front land has the .
city gOt2" asked Mr.. Lyon.
II don't know" replied Mr.. Mack.
"The Park Board seems TO be get
ting rid Of what We have as quick as
it can said Mr. Mearns.
I'VE have treated the steamboat COM
pany white avcrred Mr.. Kane. shut it
Is time TO draw a line when they take
things like that"
There's one thint certain" declared
President Lyon during the twenty
lays / am mayor Of the city there will
be no cancellation agreement signed"
Mr. Lyon was referring 10 the fact
fnnN .. hn frr- ..r NNHfn
nington during the absence Of Mayor
raylOr who Will be away until the
nd Of the month.
Upon motion OF Nfr. Mesrns the mat
er was then referred TO City solicitor b
huxley. I,
Opposition TO the erection Of insight
Y signboards bearing advertisements
n residence sections Of the city was
DICED by C0uncilmen Nulvena and
.brahams. The matter was brought
.efore the meeting by Mr.. Mulvens,
,h0 called attention to large board, /
o by IS feet. erected at Sixth and Jack
on streets, which has aroused storm
I protest on the part Of citizens liy-
lg IN that vicinity.
As this location lies between Coun-
linen Nfulvena's and Abraham's dis
'icts. they recently took the matter
= with City Solicitor Huxley, who
,formed them that the city has iur-
diction only in cases where the signs
re erected over sidewalks or on poles
nd trees.
Councilman Johnson also called at
lntion % slgnboards which have been
rooted on the second or third floors
buildings, completely obstruciing the
and he pointed out that this
as very dangerous in case Of FIRE. as
prevented the fremen from getting
TO the buildings. 70 was the con-
'nsus OF opinion Of the members that
IFS also should be regulated.
Councilmen Abrahams and Niultena
ere then authorized TO take the mat II
r up with the city solicitor and as
'rtain II Council has the power TO
lss ordinances regulating the nuls-
Ice, and 10 was made plain that II
lch authority is possessed by Coun-
such an ordinance will speedily be
Issed.
The communication which was re-
lived from Colonel 4. w. Foreman. u.
A., last March, relative TO the city