Evening journal., 1899-02-28
MNRnLY A BRGINNTNG.

The Delaware river and bay are to
be improved, though npt to the extent
that It was hoped when the apprprla-
ton movement first started in Con-
gress. The editorial comment OF The
philadelphia Record ON this subject win
commend itself to Wllmmgtonians,
who have vital interest in the con-
dition OF the waterway to the sea It
says that as modified and finally pass
I'd In the Senate the Delaware river
improvement clause in the river and
nanbor bill provides substantially that
that portion OF the 100000 apprcpria
rion not needed fer work on the chan
mel between Trenton and Philadelphia
shall be devoted to securing a channel
900 feet wide and 80 feet deep between
christian street, Philadelphia, and
deep water in Delaware bay, as recon-
mended in Lieutenant Cceonel Ray
monds report to the first session Of
the present Congress. or in such modi-
fed report as shall be hereafter recon-
nlended by a board II engineers and
approved by the secretary OF war"
Continuing contracts to the aggregate
amount OF $1,000 900 are authorized to
be paid for as appropriations may be
made from time TO time by law. This
is not muloh, In view on the urgent
and immediate necessity for an expan-
sion Of Philadelphfas harbor facilities
and shipping capacity; hut II is a start
in the right direction. a final abandon
ment cf the cheese -par.ng policy wIhich
Threatened at one time to nelegate
Pennsynyanias metropolis and only
seaport to a permanent position Of in
ferlority among the maritime cities OF
the country. The Raymond report.
which constituted the baeis of the
Senate's action, set forth in clear and
conclusive terms the imperative neces-
s.ty for a thsrty-foot channel for ocean
going vessels loading at the port OF
Philadelphia The channel is not do
sired primarily TO attract traffic; the
traffic is there already, and its re-
Qu.rements for deeper waterway and
more sea room are becoming more
urgent with each succeeding year. Even
0Jefore its completion the twenty-eix
foot chanenl has become Inadequate
and well-nigh Obsolete, and the Senate
provision in the river and harlbor bill
tpr deeper waterway is only taclt
and be,ated official recognition OF pre-
Tlously existent commercial conditions
Whatever may be the fate OF THE
measure in Congress. where Its enact
uaent now depends on an agreement
lbetween the two houses over The Mica.
raghua canal bil, a thlrty-foot channel
from Christian street, Philadelphia, te
Delaware bay win be a cardinal and
necessary feature Of all future river
and harbor bills so far as Delaware
river improvement is concerned. The
estimated cost of this undertaking. Is
nearly 5000 900; and under the drlb.
bling policy pursued by the govern.
ment In works Of haribor improvement
the coming new century would be far
advanced ere the completion OF the task
set by tine engineer experts. But Con-
gress is not lnyulnerable to the pres
sure Of concentrated. penslsteniy ap-
piled public sentiment, and the good
work heretofore accomplished by the
associated commercial organizations Of
Philadelphia I'M the direction OF hafbol
amprcvement may be easily supple
mented in The future by equally ardu-
Gus and successful efforts in behalf Of
the deeper channel.