Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1922-01-06
COUNCIL ASKS JONES
FOR EXPLANATION
Recent Letter He Sent Members
Making Allegations
Against Thsm.

them by Holmes Jones, who. In his
communication used forcible language
urcomplimentary to Council. the MEM
bers OF that body last night directed
tho clerk. Homer c. Simmons, to COM
muuicate with Jones and request him
to be present at the Council meeting
next Thursday night to be questioned
on tho Allegations he makes In the
letter.
The Council bailir was directed to
personally deliver the request for his
attendance and to get signed receipt
from him. Council also authorized
the employment OF competent
stenographer TO be present next week
to take stenographic notes OF every
thing that is said when Jones Is call
cd upon to explain. He. and others TO
he heard will probably be placed under
oath.
Jones letter was sent to each or the
individual members. 1t was addressed
"Dear Councilman" Jones cited some
of the things he claims 10 have ac-
comp!ishcd in the lower end or the
Ninth Ward for the advancement OF
| the city and asked II the Councilman
had done that much.
.rones in his letter declared his
message 10 Council is this: 'rhe Coun-
cn OF the City OF Wilmington can do
as Il d. pleases for all / care; col
lectively they are too stupid to look
for substance: collectively they bolt
Ike sheen through a fence hole the
ram Jumps" He dared them. prae-
tlcally, to pass a resolution he en-
n tD,
"whereas. To pull Holmes Jones
lchestnuts out OF the fire at 81 foot
front for lots would not be in keeping
with the dignity Of the Council, but 10
furnish money TO pay sS5 foot front
for the same lots. in the hands OF otner
/ individuals, born in Delaware and VINO
understand and respect the dignity due
I pelawareans, is the true duty OF the
Council.
Therefore be II Resolved. That
Holmes Jones and his S2 lots part OF
the houlevard). can go TO u, and
that this august body will. with due
dignity, In due time pay fifteen times
IS much. but will not let anyone, un-
fortunate enough not to be born in
Delaware, teach us Delawareans any
thing"
Although addressed to the Council
mon personally, Mr.. McNabb Offered
the letter and had II read during the
meeting. He then declared he wa'
tired OF Jones putting this sort o'
stun around. He said when he ap'
proved the boulevard route he had nc
knowledge the city was going to pa,
Ss5 a foot for land that can be bought
for 50 a foot and II this charge Is true
II should be proved. He declared this
allegation is too strong and said some
thing should be done 10 have it stop
ped. lie did not think the charg'
should be allowed 10 pass unchallenged
Councilman Abrahams said Jone:
was assuming much and he had M
definite information anyone was pay
.g ss5 a foot for land worth 50. H'
said the Street and Sewer Directors
had told them the boulevard woulc
mean no outlay of money for som'
time and ne thought Jones was al
out Of order
Councilman Murray said in votins
70 approve the boulevard they di'
what they thought was for the bes
interests OF the people of the city ant
I ne(auSa lntN nelltNEu iflf lphAS 4dI'
down would save money for the city
He did not think Jones' charge
should be allowed TO pass unchalleng
ed.
Councilman McManus frankly con
fessscd ne never did like Holme
Jones. "As soon as Jones packs UP an
r leaves the city the better OF it Wi
be-" said Mr.. McManus.
Councilman Evans took exception I
the letter and thought Jones shoul
he summoned there to explain. Il de
mand this as member of this Coun
? cil," he said.
: Councilman Abrahams moved to as
= Jones TO be present next Wednesda
Q night, but the time was changed I
: Thursday night. when the open meet
Ing Will be held. The stenographe
was then authorized for that evenin
10 take the complete and detailed te:
timony. Jones Will be asked to eo
: plain everything he made referenc
to in his liter, il Is understood.
Later in the evening Jones presen
!. ed bin TO City Council. One Item we
for the use OF premises at Fourteent
: and Claymont streets. "for the sprea
of sewage theron to benefit thos
who did not wish to connect with III
sewer" $232.5o. the time covering SCI
eral years. The other item was f.
unlawful entry upon premises (
I open drain" for 1929, or a total
s46l.5o. which he claims is due hi
from the city.
Council decided 10 lay this bill upc
the table for an indefinite period.