SPECIAL MEETING

                                                                                                                        May 8, 1946

A special meeting of City Council was held in the City Hall on Wednesday evening, May 8^th, at 7:30 P.M. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Woodford and the following members were present: Messrs. Downes, Burton, Vane, Hartnett, Hinkle, Carson, Keith and Mikell.

Water Street Playground

Mr. John Kucek appeared before Council stating that colored children are using the playground and bath house facilities at the Water Street Recreation Center and wanted to know if Council would take some action in view of the fact that this center is only for white children. Without objection, Council advised him that action would be taken.

Coal Situation

City Manager Wilcox reported that the coal shortage due to the strike of bituminous miners has put Dover in a very precarious position. He stated that a survey shows only about a 10-day supply of coal at the power plant. The fuel administrator for this area has promised a ten-day supply, but in view of the rail embargo it was not known how soon this would be received. He also stated that after conferring with representatives of the Delaware power & Light Company, they stated that they could not furnish us any coal or power during this emergency. In view of the above, Mr. Wilcox offered th4 following suggestions:

1.         Cut off stream and electricity from all of the larger consumers. A partial list, with the approximate fuel consumption to supply them with power and/or steam for the month of April, is as follows:

International Latex Corp.                   587 tons

Richardson & Robbins                        23

Dover Army Air Field                        102

M. A. Hartnett, Inc.                             1

Shahan’s Clothspin Factory                1.1

Aeroplane Carriers, Inc.                      1.5

Hayman’s Concrete Pipe Co.              1.1

Jackson’s Rendering Plant                  1.5

Service Ice Co.                                    1

2.         Cut off all advertising signs in front of, and in windows of, all business houses and theaters.

3.         Instead of waiting until midnight as is the custom now, throw on midnight circuit as soon as it becomes dark.

4.         Close all places of business, including tap rooms and cocktail lounges, at 8 P.M. each night.

5.         Appoint a disaster committee to take care of any emergency which might arise due to brownout.

Mr. Heinze, representing International Latex Corp., stated that if power and steam were cut off it would mean a loss of $100,000 to them since they had compounded about that much latex and it would spoil. He suggested that the City defer action for a few days as they have bought three boilers and three oil burners and would have them installed by Wednesday, May 15^th, which would eliminate the use of any fuel for them. In fact, if it could be so arranged, he said, they would turn over to the City all of their excess steam. Upon motion of Mr. Keith, seconded by Mr. Hinkle, action on closing any of the plants was deferred until the regular meeting of Council on Monday, May 13^th.

The City Manager was authorized to put into effect his suggestion for a brownout and the closing of places of business at 8 P.M. each night.

Council adjourned at 9:30 P.M.

William F. Schmidt

City Clerk