Evening journal., 1919-05-09
LABOR WOULD HAVE
GREAT Wilmington
Want Water Front Devel-
oped. Better Streets and
Public Comforts
WANT WORK FOR
ALL CITIZENS

City Council last evening and outlined
through John c. Saylor, their spokes-
man. what plans they think will de-
,clop the city and provide work for It's
citizens. Mr.. Saylor was granted the
privilege OF the floor on motion, follow
ing tho reading Of letter from the
Central Labor Union, stating that mo
body's delegation would walt on Coun-
eli aud lay their proposals before them.
The committee consisted Of Nlr. say
lor John j. Dale, James O'kane, J. ].
Allcorn. Harold s. Creamer, G.. J. ilamm,
Leonard r. Cooper, +. Spna, W. II. COL
Inns. w J. Fumer, T.. A. Duncan ana
others
shortly before the appearance Of the
delegation Council had passed motion
shutting on further discussion over
tho unpaid "nu" bills. but Mr.. Sayior'
who had come prepared to speak on
his subject. stated that he would mere
lv leave with Council a copy Of what
lhe Central Labor Union members had
approved on This subject and which he
was 10 have read. The other subject,
advocated By the central body deleea-
lion were The establishing OF public
comfort stations here, the development
OF The water front. the city furihef co.
oneraline with the Federal Employ
nent Bureau and the paving Of streeis
at the request OF the abulung property
owners.
After addressing Council on tie yari-
ous subjects, Mr. Saylor thanked the
members for their courtesy and cN-
tended an invitation % the members 10
appear heforefhe Central Labor Union
al any time and discuss civic matters.
Mr. Saylor said.
The Central Labor Union Is advised
that CITY Council has been in possession
of the Harhor Boards general report
and recommendations since last De-
ccmher. and that no action has been
taken during this period OF ilve months
on tho specific recommendations made
in spite of the strong endorsements al
Two public meetings ueld IN the Council
chamber at the llarbor Boards request
Through This period OF five months.
when it WAS most important TO get
under way with public work, thcre has
been no action. 70 Is understood that
one Of the reasons was that City Coun-
cl wished TO DE assured OF additional
revenue hv bills that were presented
in Tho state Legislature. This pariicu-
lar reason has been disposed Of, since
tho bills were passed, have been signed
bV fhe Governor and are now LAWS, and
providc The additional revenue neces-
iarv 10 support a bond issue ot s2OOo,-
eco ia carry forward an the city harbor
improvements.
''NNe understand that Tho harbor situ-
alton ai present needs but the act oi
Ciiv Council 90 let work get under way
almost Immediately. 70 IS the opinion
of the Central Labor Union that II any
hing Is 90 be- done with the har-
hor program on The seaport piers. II
must De done on a basis OF spending
s2NNN00 as far as can be determined
from the general information now on
hand. III City Council were 20 pass a
resolution Immediately 10 ihe effect
that the lIarbOr Board should go ahead
with The seaport piers now, and decide
10 sci aside The necessary amount of
money FOR the carrying charges on the
bond issue IN Us annual budget we are
informed that The new revenue bills
passed BY tho last session Of the Legis-
lature would would Than provide for
the purpose.
aside from The direct outlay Of up
wards of S2.0OO.OOO In extensive con-
siruclive work in Wilmington for
municipal piers. there is another de- !
>elopmcntthat has even a larger effect |
on the immediate absorption Of skilled |
and unskilled labor-aud hangs in the I
balance .Vaiiing on Tie cily's decision 4
IN municipal pliers. 10 has been re- |
ferred 10 In The press recently namely, I
urydOcks and repair yards ai q total /
estimated cost of about s3O0O000 10 |
IS reported 90 the Central Labor Union
hy responsible citizens Who haNe been /.
in touch Will this particular situation .
that New York interests Viii not so /
ahead with ihe docks at Wilmington, |
boz VIII prefer 60 locate ai some place
near philadelphia, unless they are sure
that Wilmingion's seaport piers are
going ahead. and Will help provide
part of the repair tonnage 10 keep The
drNdocks In operation. This accurd
ing to our Information is q very sane
position for Tie New York interests "a
3ke-they are anxious 10 proceed and
have stated that they cannot Withhold
decision many weeks longer.
What viii 20 mean TO Wilmington
iofhaye The municipal piers and The
drydocks and repair yards established
during tho next twelve 90 fifteen
months is almost incaicuablc. Every
citizen viii bcnn0t by The expanded
opportunities and 70 will merely be
starter for Wilmingions now COM
morcial and industrial era, the fore
runner OF a Greater MilmngionP We
all know what tho next ten or nfteen
years development Of the city OF VII
mingion with the above two enter
prises under way viii mean to MS ALL
Unless we get action, we viii set moth
ing else.
III the city OF Wilmington IS IN
earnest in wanting harbor improve
menis, and wants TO get them started
now, it appears TO The Central Labor
Union that there should be full and
complete cooperation on the part Of
City Council.
The idea OF the Central Labor Union
appointing a special committee to ap-
pear before City Council is one that we
believe Will have a ringing appeal 90
the entire citizenship as well as 10 City
Council. As representatives of tho
workers we want TO see progressive
era started in Wilmington It viii not
be started without appropriate, action
on the part Of the various branches Of
the citys government. Responsibility 1
for the delay should be placed on tho /
proper shoulders, the defects remedled /
and start made toward creating a /
Greater Wilmington In the past, and 4
on numerous occasions, enc department. 4
Of the city government has placed the
blame for inactivity on The shoulders Of
another department, and so on-and in
The meanwhile the interests OF the pe0-
l'e naNe been left waiting until a con-
~ Hn4r~. 1.~N~.