Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1920-02-09
The Clearing of Sidewalks.

The intention of the Police Department
TO allow the people reasonable opportunity
70 clear their sidewalks of snow and ice
accumulations before stringently enforc-
ing the ordinance in relation to this sub
ie4.t is verv commendable. To have insti-
tuted a rigid enforcement, off-hand,
would have been very harsh to many
persons. who. as . rule, are scrupulous
IN their observance of the local law which
requires the clearing of sidewalks within
ten working hours after the cessation of
the snow fall
The conditions that brought about
the unpleasant situation OF sidewalks
coated with ice and beaten snow were
somewhat unusual Previous 10 the heavy
snowstorm of last Wednesday night there
had been a storm Of rain and sleet that
covered all sidewalks To an average depth
of nearly two inches There it was, hard
and fast, in many instances, especially
on the western slopes, defying all efforts
at removal The snow that fell during
the blizzard was piled on top OF this ICY
coating. and while it was easily shovelled
away, the bed of ice remained. The light
snow fall Of Friday. mingled with rain,
added o coat of sleet to the bed Of ice,
which also defed attempts at removal,
clinging like sand.
1t may require several days of sunshine
before it will be possible to clear many
,l,sS ~
and although the existing ordinance makes
no exception, it would manifestly be an
Injustice to endeavor to compel property
owners or tenants to Immediately clear
away the distractions, which could only
be done generally to the severe detrlment
of the pavements. The original ordinance,
passed at a time when brick pavements
were the rule in Wilmington, made excep-
tions of all instances where the snow was
% congealed that it could not be removed
without iniuring the pavements. The
present ordinance does not contain tins
proper provision of relief.
We have referred TO this matter becasue
we believe it TO he one Of Importance, as
well as of general interest. That proper
Observance of the ordinance is most
desirable will not be denied, but 1t should
be enforced reasonably, and, above all
else. consistently and without favor
Yet in MANY instancesit is ignored entirely
bv some persons, and with impunltv
MANY pedestrians have recollections Of
sidewalks. especially in front of vacant
lots. that remain untouched by broom
or shovel all winter y ar after wear,
regardless of the extent Of the snow fall. !
Such instances should receive prompt |
attention BY the police and attended by
prosecutions. On the other hand, there are
hundreds of housewares and tenants
who would no more think of allowing
snow to accumulate on their pavements
than they would of allowing dirt to accu- |
mulate in their living quarters. And il is
citizens of this character who would have !
been uniustly oppressed by rigid en- |
forcement of the ordinance at this time. |
1t is hoped We will have no more storm |
v,sitations like unto those of last week, |
and that IN few days all our sidewalks |
will be clear 10 travel Then let the |
authorities De both watchful and obser- |
want. and descend upon the indifferentones |
who never pay any attention to the ordi- |
nance with the full force of the Law