Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1922-07-21
PROBLEMS AT CLAYM0NT.

Editor Every Evenlng:-There are
portions OF this old world that VIII
never feel the tread Of human feet.
There are other parts that naturally
yield themselves to tho varied neeos
OF mankind and because OF their an-
vantagos of location, climate and SOIL,
they become great centers OF popuia-
ton.
Claymont, Delaware. possesses all
the advantages OF n tarritory OF this
sort and VIII unquestionably become
an integral part Of n great center of
population including all tho territory
from Kensington, Pa. TO New Castle
Delaware. Let no one who nVes
within view Of tho river within this
territory deceive himself with the
thought that he has hidden himself
away from the haunts OF men TO
spend his declining years In quiet
solitude, for he is rather destined to
be increasingly distributed by the hum
and buzz Of commerce. and the tread
Of hurrying feet.
Living lis unquestionably moro
economical In tho more sparsely settl-
ed sections because Il is simpler and
many prefer the simpler things
rather than pay tho added cost. Men
have always recognized that there arc
advantages in living together: the I'M
willing being compelled with the
willing. to share the cost Of the ad-
vantages gained.
Claymont Is becoming thickly
populated A few months hence we
will be closer together than we are
now. There Is only one escape from
this condition and that is to move out
But people who want desirable homes
with advantages for their families ar.
not moving out. they are moving in.
Between those who have already ar.
rived, differences of views have ariser
as to how we shall plan for tho future
1t is simply the case of the Progress
sive and tho Reactionary that ar
found i'm every community. The con
dition would be moro accurately de
fined by saying that IL is n case o
the osbtructionist against the con
structionist. for in attempting 10 pro
vide for the school needs OF the com
!
but merely set themselves in opposi
ton to the plans provided by the Boar
I OF Education who are most fanilia
with the school needs. The only sus
gestion for building plans that hs
, come from the opposition is piece
; meal method that would eventual
5 no more costly in the end and unsatis
d factory I'm the meantime.
;. It has been represented that the pre-
Q posed school will cost $4,000
4 100000. which Is far from the trutl
e The proposed building with the entii
s equipment will probably not cost owe
i 100000 which Is not extravagant Il
D a community with tho taxable valu.
Of Claymont.
y 1t IA understood that with tho r,
= quired bond issue providing for a sini
ing fund. the school tax rate will n,
: be above 90 cents per hundred dolial
of assessment which seems nodera
when compared with nearby towns wit
q similar conditions where provision
being made for the proper educate
q OF the children
q From reliable sources we learn tn
d these tax rates are as follows: Marc
o Hook. $3.50; L!nwood, 81; Media. SIS
h Swarthmore. $3.50: Narbeth. SIS
,r Darby, $3.50; Ridley Park. $3.50; We
!? Chester. $3.50.
ie The corporation interests pay Gig
's out Of every eleven dollars that a
e assessed within the Claymont Dtstri
" leaving the other three to be distribt
l. ed among those that are not direct
10 connected with the corporation
terests. And by no means Is q
minor portion all paid by the obstru
! tionists, for there are many progrs
sive spirits owning property a
others indirectly paying taxes throu
their assessments, who do so willin
~ with the firm conviction that a col
j munity can have no greater asset tn
good schools and that money inve
ed IN child's education Is the gre
or est endowment that the present ger
ration can hand down TO those W
I'd are to take their place. What though
full person, be he bachelor. widow
ne spinster, or childless Benedict.
We linquishing his possessions only
cause death is forcing the issue, v
te regret that he does not have the Z
dollars. Chat have been thus inves
- for him) to hand down to those "
will appreciate him or his gift
80 little, If at all?
Arthur A. Wilmot
-. >Claymont, July 20, 1922.
rp.
nd