Evening journal., 1913-02-22
rHE cLnsEn FR0Nr Doom.

CTY COUNCIL as n committee Of the whole, now
- has before Il, in Concrete form, the sensible sng
goson that il take immediate steps TO obtain for the
city Of Wilmington the Delaware river waterfront from
the mouth Of the Chrisana river up to Edge Moor
distance Of approximately three miles.
The title to the waterfront and It's 600
Of land under water now vests in The State
II the Bulkhead Law Of 1901 he permitted to remain
in its present shape, the title TO that valuable water
front will in the Wilmington Terminal Company.
the Edge Moor Iron Company and the National Dredg-
ing Company the instant they build bukhead. That
would that those three corporations would domi
nate wholly the waterfront Of city the Della
ware river, and that FOR years without number the
commerce Of city would have to pay tribute TO
them and would he at their mercy.
That Bulkhead Law was passed twelve years ago.
and the prospective bcncfciares under Il have done
nothing toward buIkheadng and filling that State land
They have been waiting for the United States Govern
ment TO do that work for them by spending hundreds
Of thousands Of dollars Of the peoples money, aud
then the State would the valuable waterfront prop
crty to them IN It's bulkheaded and flled-n form,
thereby making Of them the Auocras Of the Port 70
whom all who desire to Delaware river dock
ing or terminal facilities must pay tribute.
The sensible thing TO do Is for the Legislature 10
amend that Bulkhead Law ai once 50 the city aud
the private interests. shall be the beneficiary
der It's provisions. Those amendments also should
carry with them prosision for tho appointment Of
eessalssea te decide sas. damages, a aas, shall be
water mark because Of any cutting OH Of their right
OF TO the water owing to the public improve
ment made between their land aud deep water. Their
right Of MAJ not be cut on and there may he
damage, hut the amendments should provide for a
commission dispose Of any question that may arise
relative thereto.
Our City Councilmen and the Wilmington members
Of the Legislature now have splendid opportunity
distinguish themselves by quick and wise action for
the public benefit The people Of our city are ear
In their desire that this waterfront be conserved
fer the public benefit. The petition that has gone TO
City Council shows that the enterprise Is regarded
being Of such vital Importance TO the future Of the
city that Of all shades Of political opinion are
standing shoulder to shoulder in favor Of Il. The
conservation Of that waterfront represents great pa
triotic sentiment that has deep regard for the fu-
ture commercial Interests Of the city Of Wilmington,
Of New Castle county and Of the State OF Delaware.
The people want this thing done. and the members
Of City Council and Of the Legislature who assist In
doing will distinguish themselves In the public mind
the friends and cOnseryators Of the public inter-
csts II would he crime against the public to per-
mlt private parties 10 get away With waterfront
under that Bukhead Law Of 1901, any other law
that may he proposed.
Our new Chamber Of Commerce also has n magnia
cent opportunity 10 show that II stands for something
practical promoter aud defender Of the hest In
terests Of the city, county and State. Wilmington
reeds that waterfront. II needs Il regardless Of th
fact that the PanamP Canal soon viii he opened, tha
ihe great inland MnerWay Is In course OF construction
md that the Assawoman Canal connecting Delaware
and Rehoboth bays Is assured. With those great I'm
provements in sight, the need for the securement o
DUR waterfront becomes all the pressing. Their
"A thing that Is open for the Chamber of Com
nAeroe to do that would bring to 1t so much publ
credit to play conspicuous part in inducing III
Legislature to amend that Bulkhead Law and make on
city, and not the Wilmington Terminal Company an
its associates, the beneficiary of the States bounty
Fruit shows. corn shows, publicity, bidding for ne,
industries helping to advance the interests of exist
ing industries and protesting against the destruction
OF the entity Of Wilmington a port Of entry nj
right and for the good of city, but all those line
of beneficial EFFORT combined not important, TO
the present and the future. this waterfront proec
that Is crying for immediate attention.
Let ii be borne in mind that under existing condl
tions Wilmington is transacting its water-borne com
merce business mp alley-the Christiana river
that the city's great front door, the Delaware rive
against the world when II should be wide open an
beckening 10 the shippplng world and to dis
v1urEr uud take cargoes at a suitable terminal
tapped by the Pennsylvania. the baltimore and Obi
and the Reading railroad systems. For the Chambe
of Commerce to he instrumental In bringing abou