Evening journal., 1923-01-27
Mayor Would Hare City
In County By Itself
fcontInued from First PageD

clared that aside from the propose
new form of municipal government
Wilmington could not progress as
should because of "the miilston
hung about its neck by New Castl
County" He declared the city year
ly was pouring between 100000 an
100000 into the Golfers of tn
county and receiving the care OF
few bridges in return As remed
ne declared the city should form
county by itself. The Mayor ais
declared that the city was PAYNE
four-hfths of the States expenses.
by a consolidated city and coun
ty we could save $40 to every 81 We
would save under the proposed new
form of government he said, amid
applause, and he cited a survey BY
the Municipal Research Bureau OF
New York as proof of his assertion
He also cited the cities OF Denver
San Francisco and st. Louis as ex-
amples OF the saving achieved by
such cancellations.
And Baltimore called out a
voice from the committee.
The Mayor added that he fully
realized the difhcnlities in the way
of attaining a consolidated city and
county, and regarded the proposed
new form of municipal government
only as 8 forward step in direction
OF such a consolidation.
I'VE have many battles TO night, ="
the Mayor continued, but until we
do achieve a certain independence
from New Castle county we shall be
a long way off from the goa; we
should like TO reach"
The Mayors declarations called
forth handclapping. At its close and
just as the committee appeared ready
to vote its approval OF the draft of
f1ne charter bill with the changes re-
ferred 10. Miss Ellen J. Samworth
launched a protest against such ac-
ton until the general public should
have opportun & TO consider the
measure. Howafd NJ. Ward, presi-
dent OF City Council, promptly offer
ed use of the Council chamber for
such public discussions.
Adjutant General Ellison. who
had been a quiet spectator Of the
proceedings. here declared that
while details of the bill could be
worked out at present. the methods
Of getting the measure through the
General Assembly was another
question"
The Legislature already has sent
out 'feelers' for men who will serve
as the first members OF the COM
mission" he continued. "and the
men who are first selected will
make or break" the new form OF
government"
General Ellison expressed doubt |
II the people wanted the charter.
There ought TO be some way TO |
figure out the cost OF the new gov |
ernment. he said.
Personally" continued General |
Ellison, I am sn favor OF the charter.
But you all remember how two
years ago we ran into a snag whenI
the 'non-partisan' element entered
into the question. The only non
rsrfisans' ! found were Dem ocrats
who were out of office and wanted
70 get back"
General Ellison thereupon moved
tf,at the question should be submit
ted to a referendum.
Meyor Harvey declared he under
stood the aim was to take the rnu-
nscipalitysout OF politics. s'what has
national or state politics got to do 4
with the city7 he asked III the
people want TO take the city out OF
politics. they viii vote for the new
ff MOI. they will vote against
it. I believe that IL the city can be
divorced from politics IL will be the
zsiner I believe that ie the city
IAN get away from any man. any
ing or any special interests IL viii
- better off"
Again the Mayor received ap-
,lause. In reply General Ellison
'sad politics was a broad term and
se believed a combination could be
'ormed under the new charter
which would be more difficult. TO
ret rid Of than any political ma
'hine which might bet set up under
he present form Of government.
He cited Trenton ss an example.
declaring the commission there had
been twslve years in power and even
an attempt 10 get rid OF It through
legislative enactment had failed.
II have had some experience in
building a machine" General Eli
son remarked, amid laughter, ''as
YOU ali probably know"
Continuing General Ellison said
the charter movement two years ago
had been started by the Republican
City Committee, which had invited
the Democratic City Committee to
Join in II. This assertion aroused Rob
ert ". Kramer former Democratic
member OF the Assembly IN Dover.
There have been some things
said here" Mr.. Kramer declared,
slowly. that do not ring true" He
men disputed General Ellison's state
nent concerning the starting OF the
previous charter movement. and de
slared the movement had been back
ID by sixty different organizations,
which had sent delegates to Dover.
Then a good Republican Senator
ut under it, he continued. slowly
I see tonight there IS more cutting
lnder We are wasting time"
Calls were made that the Ellison
notion for a referendum was before
he committee. but adjournment was
aiken before it could be put.
The meeting was called together
" J. Edgar Rhoads, who announced
hat Leon Walker. chairman of the
committee was confined TO his house
" the grip. He also explained that
OF the Charter bill at
Dover on Thursday was due to lin
tation OF time.
] /
lad been distributed in the audi
-, u. /