The semi-weekly messenger., 1908-02-28

The news received from Washington
last night that the senate comm ttee
ON public buildings and grounds hid
ordered a favorable report on the bill
appropriating 100000 Tor a Gust III
house at this port, viii be rece vel
with great qualification in this ci. y
and all those who have taken any part
in having favorable action reported
will receive hearty thanks of Will
mington citizens.
The public building committee of the
house is now being urged as to the
necessity for a larger and more ade-
quate customs house at this port and
it is hoped that the appropr. alton bill
will also be favorably reported by the
house committee.
An important development la con-
nection with this undertak ng is that
the members of the Subcommittee
that has the North Carolina projects
under consideration have promised to
visit Wilmington on March 3rd to
Investigate the needs for a new Gus
toms house and on the impression
gained while here by these members
the action of the house committee
will undoubtedly depend.
The members of this committee of
the national house Of representative
will be the guests of the Wilm ngtOl
chamber Of commerce at its annual
banquet to be held on the night 0,
March 3rd and the presence Of these
distinguished gentlemen will make The
occasion a notable and excep iona IL
brilliant one.
Those who have promised to come 20
Wilmington are the following:
Hon. Richard Bartholdt, chairman
Wisconsin; Hon. VIM. A. Rod nbe g,
Illinois; Hon Geo. w. Norris, Nebras-
ka; Hon. Daniel F. Lfean, PenLsyl-
vania; Hon. Chas Il. Thomas, North
Carolina; Hon. Benz. F. Caldwell, lii
nois; Hon. Edward z. Miller, c.erk.
These gentlemen constitute sub-cim-
mittee No. 5, except that Mr.. Ba t.
holdt is chairman of the full commit
tee.
Sub committee no j, passes on all
matters pertaining to public buildings
and grounds in the states of Illinois,
Kansas, Kentucky, Nevada, North Car
olina, Pennsylvania and Virginia. The
visit of the committee to Wilmington
will be, official, and their presence will
be duly appreciated by our people.
Mr.. Thos. J. Pence sent to the Raj
eigh News and Observer Of yesterday
from Washington the following &C
count of Mr. Keiths appearance in
Washington on behalf of the customs
house:
Wilmington wants a five hundred
thousand dollar custom house, Tee
City by the Sea which was rep esent-
ed by B. F. Keith had first inning.
Mr.. Keith who was introduced by
representative Goodwin, stated that the
present custom house which was erect
ed 661 6777
ed II years ago is inadequate for the
business of North CaIolinas growing
and leading seabport.
THE custom house business in VIII
mington amounts to more than thirty
million dollars annually. Last year
of toys, molases, salt and
other articles were billed to New York,
Mr.. Keith stated, because Of in de-
quate storage facilities in the Whining
ton custom house"
The following Associated Press dis
patch was sent out last night
Washington, February 26.-The sem
ate committee on public buildings and
grounds today ordered favOrab y re-
ported a bill appropriating 100000
Tor a custom house at Wilmington, n.
G., Favorable reports were auth hol izsd
also on a number of other bills max
ing appropriations for postof.ce build
ings in various sections Of the couH-
try.