Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1900-10-18
MARKET STREET BRIDGE
Reply Of Harlan 4 HollinssHorth Co. to
Levy Court Objections.
SENT TO THE SECRETARY OF WAR
The Approach to the Draw Is
the impeachment.
REMOVAL OF THE CENTRE PIER URGED

The following letter has been sent by
the Harlan d Hollingsworth Go. to
the Secretary of War:
ington, d. C.-Sir: Through the courtesy
of the Levy Court we have just been fur
nished with copy OF their reply to our
complaint of June 26th requesting that the
centre pier of the bridge over the Christiana
River at the foot of Market street, Whining.
ton, be removed. as same is an impede
ment to navigation. While the major por-
tion of their letter has no bearing at all on
the case and therefore we presume it Is not
q matter of interest to the War Department.
inasmuch as they Nave thought fit to mem
tion same, we feel that In Justice to our
selves it should be replied to.
First. They state that they were not en-
tirely familiar with the exact power of the
general government over bridges which
cross nayigabe streams altogether within
the limits of the State, and which were built
before any nationR. legislation on the sub
ject, as in the case of the bridge In ques-
ton. To this we would state that IL they
had examined the law enacted March Sd,
1899, copy of which is easily obtainable,
they would have found out what the exact
powers of the general government were and
further that nayigable waters are not State
but national property.
Two. Their contention that the centre
obstruction under the law, as there is a
clear width of the open draw of the centre
pier of niney-four feet If the honorable
Levy Court had examined chart of the
Christiana River, they would have found
it is not a question of width that is an
impediment, but rather that Of approach to
tie draw, thereby limiting the length of
ship that can pass through.
Three. To the suggestion that the objec-
tion of the Harlan q Hollingsworth Go. is
based on probematical emergency, we
would respectfully state that we have now
under construction steamer three hundred
and eighty-seven feet long which we have
every reason to believe will not BIZ able to
get through the draw of the Market street
bridge without warping, employing the use
Of tugs, &C., and with great labor and ex-
pense, and possible damage. Again we
have within the last month been prevented
from bidding on two steamers which were
to be built for old customers of ours,
although we are thoroughly equipped for
their construction, owing to the fact that
their length was such, viz: over five hun
dred feet, preventing their going through
| said bridge under present circumstances.
Fourth. While this is not q matter which
interests your department, their statement
| that If any difficulty exists or should arise
in approaching said bridge II Is not caused
by the character of the structure itself, but
| by the ineonvenient location of the ship.
| we would state that this company disburses
over 81, 600 600 yearly in the city of Will
| mington in wages alone paid to employee
and we. do not believe that the honorable
Levy Court with best interests Of the city
at stake. desires the removal of this COM
| pany's works.
Fifth. Their statement that If the width
| of the bridge be considered as presenting
| an obstruction under the law to the navIga-
| tion of the stream. then the same objection
will apply to all other bridges over the same
adjoining streams, as before stated, is en-
tirely erroneous as it is not question of
width but Of approach and length of ship to
pass through.
Sixth. To their contention that the pro-
posed change is asked for solely for private
| gain and profit of this company, this IS
absurd on the face of it. as even the
veriest tyro knows any increase In the ship.
| ping facilities of any place is benefit to
| the community and not any individual hrrn.
We would. therefore, respectfully urge that
our petition of June 18th to remove the
| River be granted. Very respectfully,
W. Dew. Dimock, Secretary.