Evening journal., 1906-09-26

Wilmlngton's representative men in
commercial and professional life as
senibled 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
merce and in war between the two
bays and rivers before the members Of
the Chesapeake and Delaware Com
mission.
The rooms 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 ID.
Crozier Captain Phillip Reybold
Horace G. Knowles. William d. Null
len, Jr., Alfred d. Warner and ex-
Judge David 7. Marvel.
The hearing was called to order
promptly at 1890 by General Felix Ag-
nus, of Baltimore, chairman of the
commission. 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
to 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
commission At the close Of the read
Ing OF the resolution General Agnus
said that the President had appointed
pursuant 40 this resolution your fellow
townsman, Major Flagler, Lieutenant
f. T. Chambers and your humble serv-
ant
Chairman Arnus 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 We're read by See
rotary Meekins from Chancellor Mich
olson. who expressed his regret at be-
Ing absent from the city: Judge Brad
ford and j. Franz Reybold, ell Of whom
declared themselves in favor of the
canal.
"The comm, ,ssion Is gratihed at the
presence at this meeting Of so many of
your representative citizens. and
would call upon your distinguished jur-
lst. Judge George Gray, to address us
FIRST"
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 a long
time under discussion and means a
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
nf commerce and warships OF ouI
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 OF
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
mington il the sassafras route was
taken? The cities and towns Of tho
chesapeake seem to prefer this to tho
Delaware and Chesapeake route NORTH
on account Of the fine harbor in tho
gassafras river on the Chesapeake side
Judge Gray replied that he had moi
discussed the canal from the interests
of any one section but he looked at j
from a national standpoint He dia
however. declare that the Sassafra'
route would not help the city as mucf
as the presetn canal route. He behev,
ed that the matter should be looked
at irrespective Of the prejudice or al
vantage OF any section or locality bu
for the whole country. ] believe tha'
the northern route viii be the creates
advantage commercially and from
military standpoint.