The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1906-05-08

lot l3Uo uOl lueu dNdti-
able.)
In addition to this encouraging rec
ord the report points out that the
value Of exports and imports for 1904
was s45, 900, 900 round figures, and calls
especial attention to the high value of
the products, advancing the opinion
that, based upon value, the govern
ment should be justified in undertake
ing a larger project than that recon-
mended, and concludes with the eX-
preston that before the "a foot pro-
ject could be realized the requirements
of Wilmington will have outgrOwE
the contemplated Improvements.
This report is exceedingly able aud
! conclusive, and the efforts Of Capt.
! Johnston should enlist the active sup
port of the business public.
Upon application to the secretary of
{ war, with endorsement of Capt. john
! ston, request to extend the harbor
lines between Princess and Red Cross
streets was granted. The extension is
as much as sixty feet between Red
Cross and Walnut streets and will in
: crease greatly the facilities for berth
ing large ships.
; Canning Industry.
The chamber has been sending out
letters to all the fruit and vegetable
canneries of the country inviting in
vestigation of the possibilities of his
section, and has received a number OF
very encouraging replies. Wilmington
is exceptionally located for the can
ming industry. The climate and soil
in a radius of 100 miles around Will
mington are ideal for trucking, while
WilmingtOn's location as a distribut
ing point is not equalled on the South
Atlantic coast. Vegetables of all kinds
can be grown earlier and later in this
belt than II any competitive territory
and the yield is S prolific as to make
cost the minimum. There is 40 limit
to the possibility of this section tG
produce truck in all forms at prices
that would insure financial success tC
the canning iodustry, which with oul
distributing facilities and freight rates
make tbs the logical home of the in
dustry II an enormous territory.
Public Improvements.
The need of Public improvements !:
fast crystaliZing Tito a demand TO
extensive public betterment. Wha
this city c~cnsricuously lacks is per
manert streets, and in this respect w
are far behind other cities of Tx
size and Importance. Permanen
street improvement is in the nature c
an investment -athe, than al expendi
ture, for it is in reality an asset tina
pays a continuing dividend at an &c
CELEBRATED rate without appreciate de
probation. A paved city is a city o
values and prosperity. Accessibility
the controlling element in real estat
values no less than the condition prec
edent to industrial progress. 1t is COZ
sentative to say that the paving of IN
principal portions of the city woul
result in doubling real estate values /
five years. Il has been demonstrate
that the city can issue bonds % n
amount of $500 900, provide for IN
interest and sinking fund, pave n
streets in two years, and effect a say
ing of between 5000 and 100000 pc
year as against the present an2us
appropriate for street work. Thu
a pond issue for this purpose wool
not only be withou any additional CT,
to the taxpayers but would result
an actual saving in the annual apprt
| ~priation, ana almost Immediate
: broaden the taxable basis and increas
the revenues. Under this conditio
t me appreciA icf: in real estate vali'
: world SO eula:ge the bono limit as
make possible the acquisition OF 9TH
| necessary utilities, while the ncrea,
in annual income could be applied