Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1921-03-26
MARSH LAND REMAINS
UNDER TAX EXEMPTION
Senate, After Discussion, De-
feats Bill to Abolish the Ex-
empting Laws.
Staff Correspondence of Every Evening.
State House. Dover. March 26.

State House. Dover, March 26.
BY vote of 8 to g, the Senate, this
morning, defeated the Senate bill re-
pealing all acts and parts of acts exempt
ing marsh and other unimproyed lands
within the corporate limits of Wilmington
from taxation. Voting resulted rs follows:
Nay-Benpett, Highfield, Latta, Muir
ply, McIntire, Palmer, Short and Walker.
Yea-Allee, Lutz, Price, Richards,
Robertson and Handy.
Senator Robertson explained that the
marsh land along the Christiana and Del
aware rivers in Wilmington, about 300
acres has been exempt from taxation for
fifty years and yet some of it Is being held
for high prices Although this land is
exempt he said when the city wanted a
harbor front it was required 20 pay 81, GOO
an acre for some Of this property
Senator Robertson referred TO the fact
that because Of no tax being paid on this
property every other property owner
naturally has 10 pay more TAX. He re
marked, "the time is coming when this
State viii have to go out of the railroad
and bank business"
"I absolutely agree with YOU" Senator
Short remarked
mo you don't, you vote different, re-
Continuing Senator Robertson said he
had respect for corporations as long rs
they do their part He said the Pennsyl-
vania railroad company owns some Of the
marsh land and spends more paying agentg
to keep from paving tax and for the lobby
lists at the LEGISLATURE each session than
the tax would amount to
Senator Short said he would ask Senator
Robertson hot to make such a statement
unless he could prove it.
1--WE all know they are here every ses-
sion" Senator Robertson retorted.
Senator Robertson said there were
Others besides the railroad and mentioned
the Cherry Island Marsh Company. The
argument is made he said that they keep
the banks out to keep the water out but
added they protect il from nothing but
tax He referred to one marsh land owner
who admitted before the committee when
there was q hearing on the bull that the
land should be taxed and he, Senator
Robertson said IL the only man who has
been fair about it.
Senator Robertson said some of the
owners of this land are men OF wealth and
that he was sorry that Wilmington had
within her borders men who will stoop to
such a low thing.
Senator Palmer wanted 10 know II VIII
mington provided any improvements
and conveniences for the land and the Will
mington Senator replied lust as much
rs for thousands Of acres Of other land
that is taxed
Senator Bennett said he did not think
it should bc taxed until improved
Clarence G. killen, former secretary OF
the Chamber Of Commerce Of Wilmington,
at the request Of Senator Robertson was
given the privilege Of the floor and stated
that the chamber had endorsed the bill.
He said that while the land owners thought
they should be exempt he felt that the citi-
zens of Wilmington were unanimous that
the land should be taxed.
A substitute which would have allowed
half rate assessment on the lalnd was de
fcated after which the original was killed
by the vote given.
Senator Robertson said il had been
stated that the bin had been here a mum
Der Of times and that he desired to add
that should he come to the legislature FOR
fifty years he would bring the bin every
time
Give il to Mr. Lutz, be Is q hold over,
Senator Short said.
u will accept the suggestion and bring
it down, Senator Lutz replied.