Evening journal., 1906-09-26

Wilmington's representative men in
commercial and professional life as
sembIed in the eBoard of Trade rooms
this morning to press the reasons why
the Delaware and Chesapeake Canal
should be dug deeper and wider and
made the main waterway for COM
nerce and in war between the two
bays and rivers before the members of
the Chesapeake and Delaware Com
mission.
The roUms where the hearing was
held were filled with those interested
in the canal and what it would do
for the city
Opportunity was given to hear all
interests and General Felix Agnus
called upon Judge George Gray. former
Senator Anthony Higgins, Congress
man Hiram r. Burton, Alfred D..
Crozier, Captain Phillip Reybold,
Horace G. Knowles, William d. Null
len Jr., Alfred d. Warner and ex-
Judge David T. Marvel.
The hearing was called to order
premptly at 1890 by General Felix Ag-
nus. of Baltimore, chairman Of the
comm. ..ssion. He stated that the COM
mission was here in response to the
authority of the President and by a
resolution Of Congress known as pub
lie resolution No. 81, which provided
Tor the appointment Of a commission
10 report upon the feasibility of the
two routes between the Delaware and
Chesapeake Bays. known as the Del
aware and Chesapeake Canal and the
Sassafras routes.
He then called upon Secretary Meek
ms Of the commission to read the reso-
luton and the letters sent out by the
eommissiea.--At- the close -of-the- read
ing OF the resolution General Agnus
said that the President had appointed
pursuant to this resolution your fellow
townsman. Major F1agler Lieutenant
F. T. Chambers and your humble serv-
ant.
Chairman Agnus then stated that
they were here to-day to listen to what
the citizens of this city had to say in
favor Of the canal and the two routes.
Letters Of regret were read by Sec
retary Meekins from Chancellor Mich
olson. who expressed his regret at be-
ing absent from the city; Judge Brad
ford and ]. Frank Reybold. all Of whom
declared themselves in favor Of the
eanal
THE commission is gratihed at the
presence at this meeting Of so many of
your representative citizens. and
would call upon your distinguished jur-
- Judge George Gray, TO address us
="
Judge Gray First Speaker.
Judge Gray was received with ap-
plause and said that the canal was a
necessity from three points of view,
the commercial. military and naval.
The undertaking was one for long
time under discussion and means
great saving in hauls and much as a
means Of coast defence.
Anyone who looks at the map on
the wall there said Judge Gray, can
not help but grasp the significance OF
waterwa open to deep draft vessels
Of commerce and warships OF our
navy. The canal means the joining OF
the two great divisions Of the eastern
portion Of the country, the section east
of the Hudson and the section south
and west of the Chesapeake"
Judge Gray took up the question ol
harbors. the matter of the shortening
Of hauls and the advantage OF sue
an inland waterway would be.
When Judge Gray finished, General
Agnus asked him this question
Would it be detrimental TO VIII
o,inqton If the Sassafras route was
taken? The cities and towns OF tn'
c,besaneake seem to prefer this to the
Delaware and Chesapeake route nortl
nm account of the fine harbor in the
sassafras river on the Chesapeake slde
Judee GRAY replied that he had no
interests
NJ any one section but he looked at Il
from a national standpoint. lie olu
houtever. declare that the Sassafra'
route would not help the city as muci
AZ the presetn canal route. He believ'
ed that the matter should De looAe'
AZ irrespective OF the prejudice or ad'
vantage of any section or LOCALITY pu
for the whole country. l believe tina
he northern route will be the creates
advantage commercially and from
military standpoint
Mr.. Higgins For the Present Route.
Chairman Agnus next called upoi
former Senator Anthony Higgins L
express his views.
Mr. Higgins declared that to-da,
there was a reaction toward waterway
and that we are to-day returning t,
! the consideration of the building of in
land waterways.
He then discussed the various ad
\ rantages of the Sassafras route ant
The Delaware and Chesapeake route
He declared that the Sassafras rout
aid not offer the same advantage from
4 strategic point of view. The cost o
fortsfication and the projection Of tn
chesapeake would make the cost o
such q canal almost out Of the question
The shifting shoals in the Chesapeake
he open water and the amount o
redging required would render it YER
Dstls.
me present canal ia now owne
r