Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1912-12-09

THAT It to have military possessed OF pub
lie spirit in community is demonstrated clearly
by the success that has attended good road project
in Delaware city. We refer to the stretch Of road
tending from the macadamized county road, at the
drainage ditch down to the Chesapeake and Delaware
canal where connects with the improved road lead
ing from the canal down to Augustine Pier The thor
oughare with the improvement of which the military
men at Fort DUPONT have had much TO do is known
Fifth street, Delaware City. Until the army men
and those associated with them in the good roads pro-
ject became interested in that thoroughfare it
ucaly impossible for months in the year and
at all times unpleasant stretch to ride or drive
over.
Colonel Hunter, commanding officer at Fort DUPONT:
Lieutenant e A. stockton of the Quartermaster's De-
partment; Captain Alfred NJ Mason, of the Coast Ar
lery Corps R. A. Peacock master mechanic at the
reservation and few others, decided about year ago.
that this stretch OF road four-ffths of a mile long
must be improved and made the best in that section
Of the county. When they announced their project
there those who laughed and said they never
would succeed as they were without funds. Those
skepcs did not know the resourceulness Of the men
who back Of the movement.
An agitation in favor Of the road begun. APP
peals made to the civic pride of Delaware City.
The result appropriation OF $3.50. Subscription
papers started and the solicitation was not re-
stricted to Delaware City folk General T. Coleman
DUPONT Senator Henry A. DUPONT and Henry p Scott,
OF this city approached and the enterprise OF the
soldiers and civilians in the movement appealed so
strongly TO them that each gave S1OO Others fell in
line with smaller subscriptions until the total from
private sources was about 5000. The Whining
ton Auto Company, for instance gave S25. General
dupont became interested that he directed his staff
OF boulevard engineers TO give freely to Delaware City
good roads advocates the best advice they had. Ar
rangements also were made whereby the roadbuildng
material might be obtained at unusually low rates.
Thus fortified the Good Roads Committee mem
bers went to work Their sole idea to build a
good road cheaply the work could be done They
canvassed farmers and others who would be inter-
ested and induced them to contribute teams do the
hauling They made advantageous contracts for rolling
and other work Every cent spent forced to pro-
duce results On Saturday the road three-hfhs
completed and the hope is to have IL finished within
ten days Then it will be possible to drive from VIII
mngton to Augustine Pier, below Delaware City. with
out leaving good road. week the road builders
found themselves confronted by a difficulty. and Mr.
Peacock the treasurer was to Wilmington
come IT, It that the funds of the committee were
exhausted and that 5000 needed TO fin
ish the road. His mission here to canvass the
owners of automobiles and ask them to make enough
small contributions 10 supply the deficiency We do
not know how well he succeeded, but do know
that he deserved TO succeed Men who prompted by
stretch Of limestone road that ordinarily would have
cost from $4,000 to $4,000 are entitled public support
and thanks and from more than owners of auto
mobiles It is scarcely likely that Mr. Peacock
able to get very far with his in the limited
time he had We think, however, that every automo-
bile owner in Wilmington should send something even
II It be not than 81, to these enterprisig road
builders for the completion and subsequent mainen-
ance of this public road.