Evening journal., 1912-08-09
KUHN PLEASED
WITH RIVER WORK
Army Engineer Makes First
Examination Of Dredging
Work in His Charge

Lieutenant Colonel Joseph E Kuhn,
United States Army engineer. who ar
rived in Philadelphia several days ago
to superintend the dredging of the
S5-foot channel, is pleased with the
present appearance Of the channel
and the progress that has been
achieved He went down the river
in a Government boat as far as Forts
Delaware and DUPONT and made pub
lie the results of his observations
yesterday.
He declared, after his cursory ex-
animation of the river and the work
that is being done to deepen IL, that
the channel can be completed by 1917.
The Colonel was unwilling to make
full and detailed comment upon
the conditions, saying that his ex-
animation was entirely too hasty to
Justify a minute report He said he
approved the methods Of his predeces-
sor, Major Herbert Deakyne, and that
he would use the same general meth
ods himself
Colonel Kuhn reported that he had
observed a slight impediment at
Tinicum Ridge, in the lower part of
the Delaware. Nine steam dredges
are at work, and two machines are
used to carry the materials to the
shore and rehandle them.
The engineers Office has been
plenteously supplied with money for
the work, but the engineer himself
has not, he said. Sufficient appropri-
/ r.,
made in the rivers and harbors bills
but the Colonel, being an army off,
GER. must receive his compensation
through the army appropriation bill
The failure Of Congress to make the
latter a law has withheld the Col.
onelss pay thus far. He is not a bii
worried, however. He looks upor
/ the matter as inconsequential ant
assured newspaper men yesterda,
that he has enough friends in Phiia-
delphia to keep him alive. He says
he is willing to trust to the integrit.
Of the United States.
Interest In Engineers Plan.
Martin interests evinced interes
in the method to be followed by Lieu
tenant Colonel Kuhn in disposing o
the s1,300,000 eecently appropriate,
by congress fcr the Delaware Rive
channel In addition to that amour
TIE $3.50 QUO carried over from pre-
vious appropriation is to be used ex
clusively for the completion Of tn
dixie system provided for under Maio
Deakyne.
Of the s1SOO,OOO now available
$500, 900 must be set aside for main
tenance Of the channel, leaving 81,
100000 at the direction of the engi
neer. The question of removing Ma
malukc Rock, which obstructs a deep
'er channel in the upper Delaware oi
Cramps shipyard was considered. bu
chipping men declared yesterday tha
II would require from 100000 to 81
100 90 to complete the removal of ths
rock. AS not more than $4,000
3 could under any circumstances
. spent on that work in one year, 1t wa
. suggested by maritime interests tn;
the government arrange for It unde
a continuing contract. so that at Leaf
100000 of the S1100.O00 would b
! available Immediately for the 35-foC
channel project Under this plan:
was said. the channel would not suffe
and considerable progress could b
made.
. Should the government decide
use all of the 81 100 900 now avail
able in removing the rock in the VI
per Delaware, shipping men declai
ed it would seriously interfere wit
progress in other sections of III
river. Some argued that the roc
should not be attacSed until the char
mel about 1t had beer dredged. tn
D plan having been followed with sil
I ma success in the rock area in II
lower Delaware