Smyrna times., 1912-01-03
BOARD OF TRADE ENDORSES
SOME PROGRESSIVE PLANS
RESCINOS RESOLUTION WEST
ERN ROUTE FOR BOULEVARD
And Offers TO Cooperate With Gen.
dupont For Best Interest of All
Concerned--RiVer Improvement

The Smyrna Board of Trade
started the New Year Monday even
ing with one of the most enthusiastic
meetings it has held since it's organ
ization. At the special call of Pres
ident LeFevre nearly twenty-five
representative business men respond
ed and discussed questions of para
mount interest to Smyrna. Secre-
tary j E. Hoffecker was unable to
be present and Walter W. Hynson
was made secretary pro tenn. Pres
ldent LeFevre outlined the meeting
Thursday evening last of the Direc-
tors of the Board of Trade. Besides
reducing the annual dues from 81. 90
per year to 81. 90 per year and clear
ing the slate to January the first in
order to induce a larger member
ship, considerable discussion was
given to two important questions
the course of the dupont Boulevard
and the securing of an appropriation
of $25, 600 for making cuts and
shortening the Smyrna River course.
Eastern Route if Dupont Wants it.
On motion Of H. B. Grieves and
a second by H. P. Hall, the resolu-
tion passed last summer favoring
the western route through Smyrna
was rescinded. This action was
taken because of recent develop
ments which will make it more ad-
vantageous for the boulevard to pass
to the eastern limits of Smyrna.
Since it has almost been practically
settled that the course of the road
will be east instead of west of
Dover it has been necessary to make
several surveys from Dover to Smyr-
ma. Instead of coming around the
head of the pond and skirting the
western limits the engineers are
marking courses that will considera-
bly, straighten the boulevard from
Dover to Smyrna. One line of
stakes crosses the Leipsic road,
"Glenfern," the Cummlns farm, and
after skirting the woods back of
Belmont come in across the
meadow and east of Smyrna along
the edge of the Waters farm, meet
ing the State road north of Smyrna.
Another line comes into Smyrna be-
tween Odd Fellows cemetery and the
Presbyterian Cemetery, thence back
of the Gas Plant and through
"Whopping" to the State Road
north of Smyrna. Other surveys are
being made but nothing definite has
been recommended by DUPONT or
his engineers. Members of the
Board of Trade, not wishing to
hamper General DUPONT but interest
ed in having the road touch as close
to Smyrna as possible, left the mat
ter largely in the hands of the
builder of the road. On motion of
H. P. Hall and a second of Edward
G.. Walls the Boulevard Committee
was continued with instruction that
they notify Mr.. dupont "of Smyrna s
readiness and willingness to cooper
ate with him in the selection of a
route which may be eventually
found to be to the best interest of
Smyrna and the boulevard.
Shortening Course of Smyrna River.
L. M. Price, H. B. Grieves and
President LeFevre, a committee ap-
pointed to look into the matter of
securing Congressional appropria-
tion of S25, 900 for shortening and
dredging Smyrna River, reported
progress. The Board Of Trade is in
possession of a communication from
Major Raymond, of this district,
that unless Smyrna did something
soon 20 avail themselves of this ap-
preparation, it would slip from
them. The funds have been avail
able for sometime, but the Govern
me1t will not make the cuts until
they secure the rights and title to
the property through which the cuts
are made. The Delaware Legisla-
ture appointed a commission to con-
denim the land and appropriated
5000 for the purpose, but since salt
hay marshes have become profit.
able side issue to owners of farms
in this vicinity, it has made it more
difficult to secure the right of way.
Most of the property owners, for
the benefit of navigation, decided
their property to make the cuts and
the complete right of way has been
secured or arranged for with the
exception of Emory Scotten. The
committee will endeavor to see Mr..
Scotten and report at the next
meeting of the Board Of Trade,
which will be the last Thursday in
this month. Mr.. Price offered to
give SIS out Of his owr pocket to
aid the matter and is enthusiastic
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