Evening journal., 1911-11-10
RIVER FRONT
IMPROVEMENT
Board Of Trade Sends to City
Council Communication
on Project
CONGRATULATE Mr.. HEALD
ON INTEREST IN SUBJECT

btlll W 0AAg 0OunAlA AdoA AA6hN a NeAA
munication relative to the Delaware
River front project including a cSpy
Of the report of a special committee of
that body appointed for the purpose of
investigating the matter After beng
read the communication was referred
to the navigation committee. The let
ter follows:
The improvement Of the river front
of the city of Wilmington is a problem
which has been discussed for decades
by the citizens, and definite steps %
ward the Improvement of the same
we're taken by the national govern
ment about 1900, looking forward TO
the construction of the bulkhead ex-
tending from Edge Moor to the north
side of the Christiana river jetty as
extended.
The proposition to now take adj
vantage of the extensive improvements
of the Delaware river, to be made by
the national government. was pgo-
posed at a regular meeting of TINS
board. by the Honorable William IL
Heald. who urged that the Whining
ton Board of Trade and the city ON
Gals cooperate in an endeavOr to
have this great public work COM
pleted. There are many points from
which discussions can arise in regard
TO tn, improvement of the Delaware
rlver, at many of the discussions are
useless so far as present prospects
are concerped. and it should be con-
stantly borne in mind the purpose so-
which the improvements OF the river
front will be made, and whether the
city or state government is gons TO
furnish any part of the funds with
which to complete such improvements
The proposition, as outlined by the
Honorable William II Healed. is that
the national government in dredging
the Delaware river, will have consul
cradle dredgings and will of necessity.
have to either furnish dumping ground
Tor such dredgings or compel the con-
tractors doing the dredlng work to de-
posit in certain designated places. IN
order that such deposits will not int r
/ fere with the improvements as carried
on by the national Overnment This Is
the problem which now conronts the
city of Wilmington, and. which is sub
mitted for the consideration of this
board and the citizens of Wilmington:
If the city or state, or the individ-
uals of the city We're going to expend
large sums of money to hulkhead tho
Delaware river. the time would be
Opportune for an elaborate discussion
as to whether such improvements
should be completed north of the
4 Christiana river or south of the
F1.rssmH ssFaa II.
they exist today, are that the national
government has a bulkhead completed
for a distance of a mile and a lhaif
from Edge Moor. They are going TO
dredge the Delaware river to a depth
of thirty-five feet. AS a result OF such
dredgings, the deposits will have TO
be dumped in places designated by
the national government. 1t would,
therefore, seem to be the duty of the
city government, the industrial Or
ganizations and the citizens to con-
centrate their effort upon the removal
Of all objection or obstruction in the
path of the national government.
/ 1t is represented that the improve
ments will, to a great extent be paid
for by the national government, and
be the benefits to the city and the
arguments in connection Herewith
what they may, to complicate the sit
uation at this time by prolonged dis
cussion as TO whether the river should
be improved north of the Christiana
or south Of the Christiana. only serves
TO delay action, and it may be added
that the action delayed at this time
may postpone the opportunity of Will
mingtOn until the dredging of the 35-
foot channel is completed and the
benefits that may be derived therefrom
by the city of Wilmington lost After
the national government has dredged
the 35-foot channel I'm accordance with
the present project, it may never have
occasion to engage in such extensive
dredging again in the Delaware river
and the silt which may be secured
from the maintenance of the 35-soot
channel will be so inconsiderate that
the filling in Of the lowlands in front
Of the city of Wilmington will be per.
I petually postponed.
AS a result of investigations made
by the commission of corporations on
transportation by water in the United
States and the deductions therefrom
q policy has been presented which has
been discussed at national congress
as well as before committees, by
which it was urged that the govern.
ment should expend public funds tC
benefit public interests, either state
or municipal, in preference to those
tOf private interests.
That the national government has
provided funds, and is going to deeper
the Delaware river to a depth o'
thirty-five feet, is a fact, and If it I:
the governments desire to build the
bulkhead In front of the city of vii
lmington and deposit the dredgings be
ihind same for their own benefit. It /.
thcelaiming at the same time, marsl
land irrespective of what the futur,
Developments may be, and such a pub
lie work must be of benefit to this city
If it is the desire of the national gov
iernment that public interests mani
Tested through local and industrial or
foundations and municipal bodies, de
sire that the greatest public benef
lshall accrue to this city. it is incum
bent upon us to take active and ener
getic steps in the promotion ant
preservation Of our interests.
The committee desires to take ad
Vantage of the opportunity to express
its highest commendation of the worl
of the Honorable William IT. Heald
in taking an active interest in thi
problem, and at a conference hel,
with him he expressed his earnes
desire to cooperate in our work. II