Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1920-01-29
SAYINGS SOCIETY
. FAV0RS AGREEMENT
Wants to Come to Terms With
Council on Ninth Street Wild
ening in Order to Save Time.

The proposal of the city To widen Ninth
street from Market street east came up
before Council last night.
Charles Warner Smith, attorney, cx-
hiblted a drawing of the proposed new
homo OF the Wilmington Savings Fund
Society to show just what sort Of an
Improvement has been worked out on
paper.
MIR Smith said there was no doubt of
the citys right to condemn private prop
erty for public use upon payment of
Just compensation. This Improvement,
he said, is to cost little less than $500 900,
and added that To cut the width of the
building feet, as proposed, would entail
an extra cost of between $4,000 and
SEQ, 900.
Attention was directed 10 the fact that
not until after the building contract had
been signed did the Street and Sewer
Department give the society any intima-
tion of its intention or wish to interfere
with the project by taking six feet off
the width of the building.
Materials, etc, now virtually ready
for delivery amount To more. than
5000, 900, Council was informed Fur
ther, that architects had advised the
directors that to conform with the new
proposal il would be necessary to draw
the plans all over again. Also toNcut steel
and stone down to the new sizes right on
the ground after delivery. This was
urged as the cheapest way of getting
out of the hole.
Attorney Robert H. Richards. on
behalf of the Savings Fund, called atten-
tion to the increased costs OF going ahead
under ever changing conditions in the
materials and labor markets, only heap
ing additional costs upon the city,
instead of the society. This and other
facts, MIR. Richards said, should he gone
into and considered thoroughly by the
city SO it might know just what il is
ups against He voiced sympathy with
the city's desire TO make the widening
improvement of Ninth street, but urged
the Importance to both sides Of careful
consideration of all the questions involved.
Experts should be consulted by Council,
10 was stated, to make sure of its ground
in the matter.
The fact that it would be at least six
months before condemnation proceedings
could be consummated, the benefits,
ornamental, taxable and otherwise, accri-
ing 10 the city from such an Improvement
on the corner were urged for consideration
by Council
we feel Council should meet us with
some plan that viii insure a speedy settle
ment,n went on Mr. Richsrds I'VE
think the city should agree with us upon
damages, so as TO save all the time
possible. Our architects and engineers
are at your service. And YOU may have
yours We will agree to accept their
conclusions, If the city will. Under the
circumstances ] don't sec how you
can refuse US this because it Is only fair
No other course would be fair. 1t seems
to US We would be taking the same
chances YOU would be taking in submit
ting our cases TO the experts under such
an agreement as | have proposed. Either
this, or let the court appoint commission
at the earliest possible time so both of US
NAV know where We stand.
Definite estimates of the cost 70 the
city of condemning the SIX feet are now
being prepared, Council WAS told.
''We are not trying To persuade you
not to make the improvement" said
Mr.. Richards, but you should agree 10
expedite the agreement and get to the
end of the matter"
Mayor VIM. G. Taylor proposed a
statement from the society of the costs
Of the proposed change In the building
plans. He said then Council would be IN |
position TO say whether IT were worth |
while TO pay the damages.
f'But If the cost did not prove too great, I
then we would be ready to agree upon /
the amount, the mayor concluded.
Looks to me as If the society should I
nave met US haif Way" interposed Mr.. /
LYONS, president Of Council. Your
people wanted US TO give them six feet
,n the other side. To have done that il
would have been necessary for the city 20
Juy the next property 70 the south just
% give them the SIX feet"
Mr. Forwoed Of the Council told of
asst weeks instruction to the Street and
sewer Department TO go ahead with
proceedings.
''They have not been fair with us, said
Mr. Lyon. They have blocked us at
.very move This is congested corner.
/ needs widening and needs il badly. 1t
Gems 10 me the Saving Society should
rave said something 70 the city before
.oing ahead with It's plans
Mr. Forwood said the Council had
ilways favored an agreement upon the