Delaware state journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1870-1883, 1873-03-22

A PROJECT TO MAKE A NEW oNE-MEETING
TO CONSIDER THE MAITER-PRoPosAL
TO MAKE THE PHILADELPHIA PIKE
PUBLIC ROAD AND GIVE 1T DECENT
GRADES.
By invitation Of Mr.. Z. T. Warner, a
number of gentlemen met at the Board of
Trade Rooms Saturday evening to consi
der the subject of new road from thit
city TO Caymont. The meeting organized
by calling Mr.. George G. Lobdell to the
chair, and appointing Mr.. X. E. Robinson
Secretary.
At the request of Mr.. Warner, Mr.. J.
T. Head explained the object of the meet
ing He said he believed the project was
TO stat road from the extension of Van
dever avenue at point near Edge Moor
and run it to Claymont. He expressed
! his warm appreciation of such a pro-
ject which be believed would not only give
us magnificent drive, but contribute to
an increase of business in the city by rem
dering Il easier of access to the people
along the Delaware. He had been IN favor
/ OF such road long ago, but had been
deferred from making any earnest at
tempt toward securing Its construction on
learning that Messrs. Samuel Harlan, Jr.,
VIM. Sellers, and others whose assistance
WAS important, would oppose il. He be.
lieved nov, however, come gentlemen
who had been opposed to il, were
favorable to The project, and he should be
very glad indeed to see il carried out.
Such road as is proposed, would not
cross the railroad on grade.
In response to a question as 10 why il
was proposed to start the road on the east
side Of the railroad, Mr.. E. I. Warner
slated that it was To take advantage Of the
fhrpn IN lea aVteucinn Of Wandewar
the city proposes TO build.
Mr.. William Sellers being called on to
express his views said he did so with some
hesitation, as he did not precisely under.
stand who was expected to build The pro
posed road nor for whose benefit II was
proposed, whether for the people OF vii.
mington, of Claymont, or Of those along
the line of the proposed road
Mr. Warner said il was understood thai
1t was desired by them all, but especial,
by those along the line.
Mr.. Sellers said there was no doubt from
an engineering point Of view, that such q
!, road could be built without crossing tn,
railroad on a grade, but that he for one
2 could not favor It as II would very greatly
damage bis property, nor could he see Whl
1t was needed. A road between the rail-
7 road and the Philadelphia pike would Gu
up large number Of properties alread,
too shallow, and the speaker though
/ greatly iDiure them while as a road to Clay
E mont 1t would really be considerabl,
, longer than the present one via the pike
, So far as the speakers observation went
there was no city which had opportunitie
]. for more due drives than this, except Bos
ton, but what was needed was not 10 opel
new roads but to improve existing ones
( The difficulty about here is that we opel
a great number Of poorly made roads an,
d In doing so spend much money that coul
+ he better employed In opening roads al
ready laid out.
i. After considerable informal talk and ex
aiming of map of Brandywine hun
e dred, which examination showed the &C
y curacy of Mr.. Sellers statement that tn
= present road to Claymont Is really mucl
d shorter than the proposed ore, the con
e clusion appeared to D. come general that /
It the terrible hills Of the Philadelphia pix
= could be got rid Of, 1t would be a NOR
!, satisfactory road than the one proposed
n Finally, on motion of f. T. Warner,
-e committee of three was appointed to il
e quire into the practicabillty Of making tb
y Philadelphia turnpike public road, an
II as to the cost Of grading il, sc.
e The Chair appointed z. T. Warner
ie Isaac v. Lloyd aud r. E. Robinson sal
committee, after which the meeting aC
u journed.