Evening journal., 1923-01-02
HAPPY NIGHT
UNDER king
Street light
tcontlnpea from FlrsL PaseO

songs and other sneeialtles seated
out upon the evening air from sew
en- o'clock on. shortly before eight
the officers OF the Merchants Assoc
citation, judges OF the mummers'
contests and city officials assembled
IN front OF the Public Building. This
entire Caesar Rodney Plaza already
was a mass OF humanity, and there
was another big crowd within the
J building.
]. Norris Robinson and a masssd
band had taken station directly In
front OF the glowing municipal
/ Christmas tree, over the top OF
which shone the symbol Peace on
Earth, Good Will 10 Men" the re-
cent Gift OF the school children 20
/ the city. The band struck up THE
star sangied Banner" instantly on
came mems hats and the throng be-
came revsTentsi.
Up 70 this time King street from
the Public Building down 20 Front
was IN comparative darkness stores
and apartments were lighted, and
there was a continuous line OF red,
white and blue bunting and nagsi
but the real" lights, the new lights,
for which the city has expended ap-
proxlmately 100000. were yet 70 be
turned on.
As the strains OF the national an
them died away, Frank Mccoy,
president OF the King Street Mer-
chants Association, opened the eere-
monies by telling OF the work Of the
organization IN obtaining the street
| improvements. He then presented
Andrew L. Johnson, president OF the
Street and Sewer Directors, who
said:
Mr.. Chairman, ladies and gentle
men % the King Street Merchants
Association: ION behalf OF the
Association: on behalf OF the
street and Sewer Department I de-
sire 10 express It's appreciation OF
your gracious words In eommenda-
ton OF the King Street work and
la 10 with much pleasure that add
my felicitstions on your success In
attaining the goal for which you
have long toilsd and waited.
Last night. listened 20 an ex-
cellent sermon on faith, hope and
charity by a layman. II were cal
led upon 10 preach tonight, I might
well take for my text, faith. hope
and charity"
MY mind runs back 20 the time
before the farmers market had been
established on King street, 20 the
days when they sold their produce
from the curbstons on Market street
King street at that time was little
more than an alley. About 1870
the lower part Of the street was
widened 70 correspond with
width above Second street and the
improvements which eventually
brought the thnroughfare 20 a frst
class business street were begun"
Mr.. Johnson then traced the I'm,
provements on the street, step by
step up until the time when the
''progressivs merchants OF the
street demanded that II be made
second 10 none" as a frst-class bus
mess thoroughfare.
The successive stages through
which the Improvement for improv-
ed street paving and the modern
lighting system moves were then
related by Mr.. johnson. He related
how the movement had the eoopera-
ton OF City Council and the Street
and Sewer Department from its in
oeption.
In conclusion Mr.. johnson said:
We found the King street business
men progressive and helpful in our
work and they endured without COM
plant the inconvenience necessi-
tated by the undertaking" He then
wished the merchants many years
OF increased prosperity in the new
surroundings"
II had been planned 20 have |
Mayor Harvey follow Mr.. johnson /
with an address and then turn on the 4
new lights. But the Mayor was un- /
avoidably Delayed In reaching the /
scene. So Howard NJ. Ward, pres I
ident OF Council performed these SER
vices for him.
Aiming himself with a n1egaphone
President Ward eoDgratulated the
and city at large on the
dawn Of new era for King street"
So rapid were the improvements be-
ing made in all sections he con-
Linued, that It was veritablyy impos-
sihle for citizens 10 keep up with
them. Wilmington already was in
he van q municipalities for model
streets and lighting, he declared
through the splendid cooperation OF
rs citizens with its public officials
1T now becomes my pleasant
iuty 10 pull the switch which will
turn on the new lights" he con- ,
sluded. amid applause. A special
slectric connection had been run TO
} small box on the front Of the Pub
10 Building. Selling the copper
ever, President Ward gave II a
usty tug. The band struck I'D the
star Spangled Banner again, and ]
he crowd gave a cry Of Joy. as, sud
ienly. a vivid glare lit up the thor /
,ughfare directly 70 the south OF II.
why It's brighter than Market /:
treet!" exclaimed mere than one
delighted King street merchant, en- I
as congratulations 6
we're showered upon Street and Sew s
II directors, Frank W. Piersoa,
treet Commissioner. and other on
lis
Colonel Weller f. Slower. who had
onsented to serve as parade mar
hal. quickly assembled his march
rs. Headed by a detail OF police 4
ID by Chief Black and Captain Will !
am F. Schell, the masser band, the Il
mcial party. merchants, judges. g
RUNNERS and citizens fell into line. n
Mayer Harvey had arrived on the b
iene just as President Ward turned
n the electric current. He prompt =
, to,l, HE aasfg,a5 n1aco - he Ina