Evening journal., 1921-03-10
insist ON new
king Street
Merchants Tell Council
Thoroughfare is Dis
grace to City
NOLIGHTS, SPOONERS
MAKE MERRY THERE

ment Of King street was made last
night TO City Council by large dele
cation OF merchants, tenants and
property owners OF that thorough
fare.
Jacob Faber, clothier, at Eighth
and King streets. who was one of
the spokesmen Tor the delegation,
declared empnatically that King
streets condition was a disgrace to
the city" Three specific demands
were made by the merchants as
follows:
1-Repaving OF the street from
Front to Sixteenth street
Better lighting facilities.
3-Removal of the old trolley
tracks.
Necessity for repaving, the speak
ers declared, was apparent TO anyone
who visited the thoroughfare. As
TO better lighting, the street was now
so dark that IL was used at night as
a general spooning place by couples.
The trolley tracks are worn out and
dangerous to traffic. Only about
four cars pass over the line daily, 1t
was charged.
Speaker after speaker arose and
IN a few words told tho city coun-
cilmen what they thought of the
conditions. SO rapidly did they
present their case IL was virtually
impossible to get their names. In
addition to the mercantile represen-
tatives, delegations of women from
the Y. NJ. c. A. and the w. c T. U.
declared the bad conditions made
King street a rendezvous for evil
doers. Some Of the spaces between
the stalls, they said, were frequently
used at night by loving couples who
were not permitted by parents 70
sit at home in their parlors with
lhe lights turned low"
The hearing was held in the
Council Chamber, although the lat
ter body was assembled merely in
committee Of the whole. Charles
Forwood, chairman Of the finance
committee, served as presiding Off
Ger in the absence Of President
Lyon, who is III.
In response TO the appeals made,
Mr.. Forwood explained that some
time ago, a bill had been pass
ed authorizing the issuance Of bonds
for $780, 900 for improving the city's
streets. OF this amount 100000
has already been borrowed and the
Street and Sewer Department is
asking for the remaining 100000.
In addition to this, Mr.. Forwood
explained, the Street and Sewer De-
partment is asking for a bond issue
Of $4,000 for the Improvement Of
King street and Fourth street, and
$4,000 for the Improvement Of
Broome street. Added TO this. is the
100000 bond issue authorized for
the Improvement of Wilmington har-
Dor, and about $2.OOO,00O will be
needed TO carry out the program for
improving the public schools, max
ing a total Of $3,291,O0O, to which
will have to be added the cost of in
stalling a paid fire department, au-
thorized by the State Legislature
yesterday, probably another $780,
600 or so. Added TO the present in
debtedness of the city, this is said
TO closely approach the end Of the
city's borrowing power. Mr.. For
wood declared.
Under the paving tax law, the
abuttlng property owners will bear
about one-half the expense, which
would reduce the cost OF paving
King, Fourth and Broome streets
nearly $25O.O00.
Councilman Mulvena expressed
the opinion that the Street and
Sewer Department should proceed
with repaving King street, and
Council should borrow the money
necessary. Not only was the i'm
provement demanded, he said, but Il
would provide employment foi
many idle men. Besides. it is q
good business proposition as the cit,
will get the money back in increased
revenue"
Councilman McManus advised thu
merchants TO show their sincerity bl
taking the initiative in cleaning NJ
King street. Unnecessary obstruc
tions and unsightly awnings, he sug
gested, might be removed.
Councilman Forwood furthe
explained that while Council coul,
not direct the Street and Sewe
Commissioners to pave any par
ticular street, nevertheless tn
streets designated by the depart
ment on their list were covered il
the bill authorizing the bond issu
Of 500. 900. and that Council wa
now considering the department
request for an additional bond issu
for paving King, Fourth and Broom
streets.