Evening journal., 1919-04-16
NO RIVER front
GRAB, KIRK SAYS.
Boat Club President Con-
demns Council for Oppos-
ing Club House Lease
PUBLIC WOULD
BENEFIT, HE SAYS


City Council and the Park Commission
relative TO the latter body's willingness
10 permit the club 10 locate its club
house on the Christana at the foot Of
Church street The club house is now
at the foot OF Chrsliana avenue. C0un-
ell has opposed the lease. fearing that
"prlyate interests" may be prompting
the club to obtain a river front site
without cost and 10 the deiriment OF
the citys interests. Mr.. Kirk said:
I'VE are astounded at the articles
appearing I'm the daily papers OF April
A., impugning either The intelligence or
the honor OF United Boat Club and The
wisdom Of the Park Commissioners as
well, In regard 70 recent action Of the
Board OF Park Commissioners on our
offer TO supply badly needed conyen-
fences and landing accommodations for
the large feet Of powerboats in our
city.
This proposition comes entirely
from our club. was conceived with US,
comes Of no suggestion from any out
side source. and, for the full infOrma-
lion Of the citizens generally. the
whole matter will be fully explained.
"The whole controversy is a ilgIheni
OF the vivid Imagination and misc0n
ception Of the Hon. James w. Robertson,
councilman from The Fifth ward, who Is
oyer-suspici'us and consequently un-
fair in his conclusions on a clean, logi-
cal and above board proposition.
while attending the meeting OF
ihe Board Of Park Commissioners, on
April Q. at which meeting favorable
consideration was given 10 our propo-
sition. information came 10 me that
Councilman Robertson was opposed 10
the matter. and feeling entirely conil-
dent. the Councilman had some miscOn-
cepiion or lack Of information which
could readily be corrected by a confer
ence with him. and having nothing TO
conceal. we undertook 10 arrange 10 per
sonally meet him and fully discuss the
whole matter.
Councilman Robertson was thus ap-
preached because, first, he was re-
ported 90 be I'm opposition TO the pro
iect: second. because he is supposed TO
represent the citizens Of the Fifth
ward. Of which / am one; and again,
because he was personally known 10
me and was the natural person and only
right person 20 approach II a thorough
understanding Of the matter were TO be
had at all.
Instead of being met in the spirit
OF courtesy which is due any citizen by
a servant and presumed representative
OF his constituents. the writer was
curtly Informed that no arguments
would convince him, that he did not
discuss any public business at home,
and II we had anything to say to come
down 10 Council and tell them all
there.
"Now. without opportunity TO pre-
sent the many logical reasons for this
good proposal. the matter Is discussed
in Council. our club is branded in the
public press as the innocent catspaw
In scheme 20 steal the river 'front.'
and the wisdom OF the Board OF Park
Commissioners Is by natural Inference
assailed.
"Nllnd you. this without obtaining
fbe Information which we offered
Councilman Robertson and were per-
fecuv willing 10 give him or any or all
og CITY Council at any time; and there
beinR no other interests involved or
behind this movement except our cluD
as the organized representative OF Inc
pleasure boating inteUsts OF our Guy
we feel it due the Board OF Parh
commissioners who do have the inf0r-
nation on this matter, aud who are IN
formed that no ulteriOr interest IS be
hind il. for us 10 bring before the pup
lie the whole proposition; TO show us
unse.nshness from our standpoint; JUS
entire absence OF any detriment 10 tne
city: and its necessity, II wilmington
IS TO be put in line with many olhet
communities, broad enough TO nave al
ready provided out OF their own iuhus
sthe very conveniences we oHer tle
city. Through its Park Commission, J,
without a cent Of expense upon our
citizens. -,
"Objection IS made TO granting. prl-
vate interests the use OF pubic Janus.
We are not private interests; hot an
exclusive club; not limited in meliiDeI- '.l
ship to any classes. but age III ous
relation TO the power boat interests Vi
the city. just as representative anu al, %
public an institution as !. NJ. =; a., tlo
X. OF C. or the hospitals IN uleF IT,
spective spheres Of activity.
"The salient features oi our ,
rosal. as approved by the Parh s,.I,Iilh Syili
mission, are as follows: 10 ,. es,'lI,,Si I'isi,
landing float at New RIVER Z rols 90 to n
without expense 10 the clss .Ioos
maintain same for the use OF al pir,SiI p,-,,I.
IRE boats both local and Nisit0rs. ! s,io
;s proven necessity and VIII Iel'o, "a 4
fbe Measure boats from uanssI en-, az.
interference with the commerciai '''ii'0
Vi .'ro To snpnlv free 10 all pleasure bosts, vs.
~ our clnh's expense. fresh city Waler
which is now unobtainable wlthou. u ~ :
,sss,ns unon private property OF ~, sile
'nconvenIence OF carrying from us
lance 10 the boats. ,o a. the
,vTo supply, without expense " ~, III.
citv building completely uliue. - /,
-nIes as 30 department TINS coN1t,.,e 49,.
Gambling. liquor and any otner uisy, ~
derl for the shelter and comfort oi w
cre,Ns and guests OF all visiting pleess
,,ro hoats at all times; and to mslntsIu
.bts building in the presentaple con, con,
5,t,on that the Park Commission VII
.e1uire The sole restriction from Sp
solutely free use OF the CLUB nous =
an emlnenily fair and honorable prop,
sIt,onn which Is above criticism lIon
snv fair minded person. 1t Is as Ioi,
lows THAT local use OF the club mouse
be restricted 10 club members.
,srhe fairness OF this Is apparent
,,ben fairly viewed. To erect and MAN.
ssin tho conveniences proposed WI
,ecessarIly involve expense. To NEE
thIs expense our sole source OF reve-
ma will be club dues, which are tli'
modest sum OF 80 cents per month
surely this Is not prohibitive sum
nor would Il keep out any interested