Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1896-10-29
DUMPING In THE RIVER.
Philadelphia Trades League Discusses the
Delaware Channel improvement.

Delaware Channel Improvement.
The meeting of the Board OF Mana
gers of the Philadelphia Trades League,
Thursday, was devoted mostly to the
discussion of report and resolutions
from the committee on commerce and
navigation, Prof. L. NJ. Haupt, chair
man, upon the policy of dumping in
the Delaware river the material dredged
in the work of deepening the channel.
1t was finally decided to postpone
action on the report until the next
meeting, and to request Major Ray
mond, United States engineer, in charge
of the work to be present and give his
views.
Prof Haupt said the committee had
given the matter great deal OF consid-
GRAFTON and had secured much data.
He submitted resolutions recommended
by the committee. The resolutions set
forth that the material now being
dredged from the shoals at Schooner
Ledge and Cherry Island flats, estimated
to amount to 1900 900 cubic yards, is
being deposited in the channel west of
Fort Delaware, and that citizens OF
Delaware allege that the channel lead
ing to tho Delaware & Chesapeake
canal is being injured thereby. The
resolutions criticised such dumping
and referred to the report Of a board OF
United States engineers, which in 1873
considered that dumping in the river
was injurious to navigation. Tho last
resolution placed the Trades League on
record as being opposed to such dis.
position of material and in favor OF
placing it on shore. The report of the
Board Of Engineers was presented az
part of the committees report.
In the discussion which followed
John G. Croxton, who represents the
Manufacturer Club In the joint
executive committee on the improve
ment of the harbor and the Delaware
and Schuylkill rivers, spoke of the hear
ing given in this city last week by the
board OF engineers appointed to CON
slider the Eeedy Island dixie project,
which he attended. He described how
harmonious the meeting was, repre-
sentatives of Wilmington and Delaware
generally, as well as Philadelphia. being
anxious for deep water in the river and
willing to leave to the government engi-
neers the plans to be worked out in
securing it. Mr.. Croxton did not think
policy of antagonizing those who have
full authority in carry out the improve
in delay in getting a deeper channel.
Richard L. uHtin,a member OF Prof.
Haupt's committee, SAID he was not
present when the report was prepared.
He had called on Major Raymond as a
member of the committee, and they
had talked over the matter. Major
Raymond said hs was not working on
the plan of tho board of 1879, and that
not more than 10 per cent OF the
dredged material washed from the
dumping grounds in the channel again.
Mr.. Austin was convinced that it was
not right now to criticise tho work.
Major Raymond could no possibly have
any Interior motive in his plan, and
unless those present had moro know
ledge of the Delaware'river and of engi-
neering than he, IL would be better to
lay the report on the table and stop
criticising the work.
Prof. Haupt discussed the subject
from his standpoint, saying he felt he
had duty to perform. He spoke OF
this report of the board of engineers,
1879 and said tho committee, through
correspondence, had ascertained that
dumping grounds on shore could be
easily secured. He thought the mater ial
could be placed ON shore by hydraulic
system Of dredging for less than it
could be carried q great distance. In
this connection Prof. Haupt referred to
the specifications for hydraulic drede-
ing in the Mississippi river. He read
letter from the superintendent of the
Delaware & Chesapeake canal, saying
that there had been shoaling at the
entrance to the canal since the dump
ing began. Discussing Cherry Island
flats, he said the conclusion was
inevitable that the dredged material
had gone back.
In answer to Mr.. Swartz, Prof. Haupt
said the Maritime Exchange had passed
resolutions of confidence in the engi-
neers' plans, and deploring criticism.
Mahlon N. Kline asked why the United
States engineers there would recon-
mend policy contrary to common
sense. They eau have no interest in
doing SO, and when other organizations
take action expressing confidence in
their plans, Mr.. Kline said he could
not understand the matter. William
II. Wetherill. who called on Major Ray
mond with Mr.. A ustin, gave his version
of the interview and Of the majors
reasons for dumping the material in the
river. Mr.. Wetherill was in favor of
the resolution, because it placed the
Trades League on sensible record.
William Waterfall, in discussing the
matter, said it looked to him as il there
was combination among the dredging
companies against the city of Philadel-
phia.
Letters Parliamentary on the estate of
Daniel Leipert have been granted to