Evening journal., 1898-01-19
CHANNEL.
Philadelphia Delegation Passed
Through This City.
DEEPER WATER IN TIE RIVER

l'HE RIVER AND 1fARBOR COM |
MITTEE TODAY AT WASHING
TON ON DELAWARE RIVER
BUSINESS.
delegation of members Of City
Councils and representatives of the
commercial organizations of Philadel-
phia, passed through Wilmington at
$50 O'Clock this morning on their way
to Washington to lay before the Com.
mittees on Rivers and Harb0rs and
Naval Affairs of Congress the strong
reasons chat exist for Congress to au-
thorize the deepening ~ the channel OF
the Delaware river to thirty feet In ac-
cOrdance with the recent report OF Ma
jor Raymond, and to urge liberal ap-
preparations for the equipment Of the
League Island Navy Yard a first-class
reserve and repair stations.
A special dispatch from General
Bingham was received announcing that
several days ago he had arranged with
the Committee on Naval Affairs and
Rivers and Harbors for a hearing Of
delegations from Philadelphia in rela-
ton to the extension OF improvements
Of the Delaware river and the starting
of improvements at League Island call
culated to make that station one of the
greatest naval stations in the world
The meeting before the River and Har-
Dor Committee was arranged to suit the
convenience Of the visiting delegations
but il appears that this committee, in
consequence of arrangements made to
leave the city for an inspection trip
in the South, will not be able to devote
any time to the visitors from Philadel-
phia. The philadelphia visitors, how
ever, will be heard to-day Ivy the
Committee on Naval Affairs In relation
to desired Improvements at the League
Island station. On the 5th of January
Major Raymond forwarded his report
to the chief Of engineers, General VIII
son. of the survey made Of the Della
ware river with a view OF obtaining a
channel coo feet wide and 30 feet deep
from a point at or near the city Ci
Philadelphia to the deep water Of Della.
ware bay. This report was not re-
ceived by Congress until Thursday
last and will not be printed, with thu
accompanying drawings, for severa
days While in possession OF advanc'
sheets the information and data are 81
necessary for general use that Genera
Bingham deems it would be unwise &
proceed to-day. however inconven
lent postpOnement may be to the dele
cation from Philadelphia.
In conversation yesterday afternooi
on this proposed extension Of the. i'm
provement OF the Delaware river chan
, mel to thirty feet at mean low watel
p | General Bingham said: 1.-THE propose
n | thirty-feet channel is a stupendous IN
a dertaking. covering an expenditure {
q almost $4,000 600, requiring six year
4 more before completion, and necess
a tating the work to be done under
h continuous contract. If the legislatio
can be accomplished at this time,
will be the largest contract ever mad
in the history of legislation for rive
q improvement work To secure the mea
low water depth Of 26 feet is a wor
4 that has been in progress since 1SS
!, and has cost millions Of dollars.
!. | must not be forgotten by our Phili
q delphia interests that that experience
a | officer. Major Raymond, who has MAJ
this important survey, concludes his r.
port with the statement: The PROBE
now under consideration contemplate
an improvement much greater tina
IS has ever been attempted in any It'd
l. river of a similar character, and
i have therefore found il necessary to
lie conservative in the prediction Of pro
RI able results Nevertheless, after an g.
Of perience Of nearly eight years
studying and executing improvement
I feel justified I'm expressing the OPT
ion that this project can be undertake
10 with a reasonable probability Of su
e. cess