Evening journal., 1904-03-11
Addresses Made Showing
the Advantages to be
Gained by Making the
Delaware and Chesa-
peake Canal a Deep
Waterway

Stan Correspondent Evening Journal.
Washington, d. c.. March 11.-Rep-
.resentatives OF the Wilmington Board
of Trade and delegates from several
other States had a hearing before the
House Committee on Railways and
Canals this morning. They advocated
a government appropriation making the
Delaware and Chesapeake Canal a deep
waterway.
Resolution Presented.s
The following resolution which had
previously been decided on was pre-
sented TO the committee and discussed;
Whereas, 1t is now generally recog-
nized that the construction and owner
ship by the National Government of a
deep free ship canal across the Dela-
ware peninsula. TO connect the Della
ware River and Chesapeake Bay 70
facilitate the national defense and
commerce, lis a pressing national de-
fense and
Whereas, the board of distinguished
men appointed by the President In 1894
by authority of an act Of Congress, TO
determine the most feasible route for
the construction of the Chesapeake and
Delaware Canal. reported to the Sec
retary Of War. December s, 1894, ofiici-
ally recommending the route Of the
present Chesapeake and Delaware
route. known as the Back creek route,
as the best suited TO facilitate the ma
tional defense and commerce. Now,
therefore,
Resolved, by the large conference of
the delegations from different states, in
Washington for the purpose of attend
/ ing the hearing on this subject before
the House Committee on Railways and
Canals on March II, 1904. that we favor
the route so recommended by said gov
ernment board. and hereby request
/ Congress to appropriate money to carry
out such purpose as follows:
1. To appraise the property and fran
chise of the Chesapeake and Delaware
lCanal Company by a suitable commits
sion for the purpose to be appointed
! by authority of Congress.
2. no purchase said property and
franchises so that the National Cow
ernment win be the sole owner thereof
opening said canal to all commerce.
without tolls. without delay, the same
as with navigable streams.
3. To convert said canal into shiI
canal with a depth Of at least thirty
feet at mean low tide, said canal tc
be an open ship canal free TO. all COM
merce.
Speakers Introduced.
After the resolution had been read
Congressman Houston introduced Al
fred o. Crozier, chairman Of the Cana
Committee Of the Wilmington Board OF
Trade. who addresses the committee
IHis address will be found on another
page.l Professor Haupt Of Pennsyl-
vania, who drew the resolution previ-
ously presented, was the next speaker
Former Senator Anth/ny Higgins anc
John s. Rossell followed.
Then followed speakers from Phila-
delphia and Baltimore.
comVittse Discouraged.
It was stated unofficial after th'
hearing that there was 10 chance oI
getting any appropriation. no matter
how small. This afternoon the delega.
ton went to the White House and call.
ed on President Roosevelt.
Last Nights Conference.
Al the conference neld IN the dote
Willard last evening the resolution
presented today was drafted. Th'
meeting was an enthusiastic one anc
was we'll attended. Among those pres.
lent were:
Senators Ball and Alice, Of Delaware;
Representative Houston. of Delaware
Representative Edwin Small, Of Nortl
Carolina; Representative Lamb. o.
Virginia; Prof. l.. NJ. Haupt. Of Penn.
\ sylvania; Robert Mills, of Wilmington
George L. Townsend. OF Odessa; STATE
Senator Sparks. OF Wilmington; J. i
Smith, Wilmington; Representative
George, A. Pearre. of Maryland; II. c
ELLISON, president pro tenn. of the Della.
ware Senatei ex-senator Higgins, Il
Greely Knowles. Wilmington; ex-Con.
lgressman McAleer of Philadelphia.
or the Executive Committee OF th'
Delaware Ship Canal there were
Chairman. Alfred o. Crozier; vice
chairman. Thomas n. Savery; trehs
lurer, John S. Rossell; secretary. DAME
W. Taylor; also T. Coleman DuPon,
Alfred ID. Warner. William W. Lob
ldcll William Z Clerk Howard r. Wal