The Coolidge examiner., 1936-12-17

Wharves are in Delaware! New
Jersey cannot arrest persons in
Delaware without extradition pa
perS. Yet these Wharves now in
Delaware belong to citizens of New
Jersey. The problem has become
so difficult that the two states have
appointed commissioners to study
it and formulate solution.
Jefferson Called 1t "The Diamond"
Despite its diminutive area and
scant population, Delaware has it's
grand moments. With only one
member of the United States house
of representatives to accompany
its two senators to Washington, it
takes precedence over its larger
sisters in the parade of states; for
it was the first to ratify the Consti-
tuition. Its depreciators are remind
ed, too, that Thomas Jefferson held
it precious enough to dub it "the
dlamond''-a name that has clung
to it to tSis day. Wilmington has
historical authority for its slogan,
THE First City of the First State"
Let it not be supposed, however,
that the little commonwealth is con-
tent to rest on accomplishments of
long ago. Though it treasures col
onlal customs, even to the retention
of the whipping post for wife beat
ers, highWaymen, and other mean
offenders, and though for more than
a century it was somn olent and
backward, it now constantly seeks
Improvement. Its very smallness
renders it admirable for political,
economic, and sociological expert
ment. If theory seems worthy
of consideration, Delaware can give
it quick trial and immediate adop-
ton or rejection.
Two summers ago several serious
traffic accidents occurred within
week because overweary drivers of
freight vehicles fell asleep on duty.
The secretary of state forthwith
published an order requiring every
driver of such vehicle to rest for
at least two hours after each eight
of driving and to limit his time on
the road to 16 hours in any "a The
day after publication of the order
motorists everywhere in the state
were wondering at long lines of lad
en- trucks drawn up alongside the
highways.
No Property Tax There
Unique in the nation, the state
has never levied a property tax.
It's principal revenue for the gen.
eral fund is from fees for corpora
tion charters, most of which are
granted to firms doing their major
business outside it's boundaries. To
supplement this income, there is
only a system of business, inherit
ance, and estate taxes and licenses,
which in the fiscal year ended June
80, 1892, nctted less than $765,0
Little Delaware, with a popula-
ton of 238, $50, ranks fourteenth
among states in payment of taxes
to the federal government. There
is not a house within it's boundar-
les more than four miles from
paved highway, and it has a state
wide system of fine modern schools;
yet for public improvements that
have cost $4,000, 1000 it has paid
practically out of what is counted
upon as current income in state
financing.
There is something strong and
sturdy about Delaware that finds
expression in its attitude toward its
problems. When former President
Hoover sent message to Governor
Buck asking for an expression on
the question of relief, the Delaware
governor replied:
II am in accord with your plans
as made known to aid unemploy-
ment, and you may expect Della
ware to cooperate in every way.
Furthermore, the citizens of Della
ware can be counted upon to pro-
vide financial help as is required to
care for those in need in this state
during the coming winter
Governor Buck spoke simply for
his fellow DelaWareans. 1t is their
pride that they take care of their
own.
Wilmington is small enough to
have a friendly and democratic So
ciety, large enough to escape the
worst phases of provincialism. Men
meeting on the street hail one an
other by their first names. If the
Philadelphia visitor who said, 81
now know that scrapple is an edi-
BILE pork product, but 1 should like
to learn what is a Biddle," had
gone to Wilmington instead, she
would never have been puzzled for
a moment as to the meaning of du
Pont.
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