Evening journal., 1913-03-27
AN ECHO OF 1901.

To the Editor Of THE EVENING
JOURNAL:
sir;-ln view Of the events of the
past year in regard to Wilmington's
waterfront, and Of the inaction and
nothing done-but-k eep-the-clty- bottled
up policy Of the riverfront specula-
tors for twelve years past, | would
like to ask you TO reprint a letter that
was published In your esteemed con
temporary. The Sunday star" Feb
ruary "a, 1901, signed b., in the hope
that B. will discover himself and Join
the Wilmington Waterfront Associa-
ton and put in some good ticks now
TO help the movement to secure a
cty-owned waterfront, as his SEEM
ed to have been the only voice raised
in protest In 1901
A copy Of BIS letter is herewith en-
closed; and b. also had another let
ter in The Sunday Star Of March 8,
1901, in similar vein with valuable
thoughts and suggestions
Very respectfully.
GEORGE CHANDLERSON.
The Sunday Star letter referred
to by Mr.. Chandlerson was as fol-
lows:
Editor of The Star:
Dear slr:-There Is proposition
for the bulkheading OF the Delaware'
river front and incidentally thereby
settling finally the title thereof in
the hands of private parties forever
Now 1t strikes me that the PROPOSE
ton as presented by the government
engineers for the benefit of the priv
ate owners Of the interior marsh Of
fers favorable opportunity for the
city TO undertake the proposed i'm
prOvement and thereby become en-
abled to control its future develop
ment in the interest Of the city and
state and not alone Of any private
parties
In many. very many cases the com
mercial development Of those cities
whose vacant lands and water fronts
and privileges are owned by private
pers- ms has been woefully retarded
by the selfshness of the owners.
Most Of the old residents Of the city
remember instances such as that Of
the Eddystone Manufacturing Com
pany, now Of Chester, who wished to
locate here but we're prevented by
exOrbitant demands OF the owners Of
the only available and suitable sites.
Now | do not blame these parties be-
cause they we're considering their
own interests In the matter, and not
that OF the city and its inhabitants.
Therefore there is no doubt but that
to allow the grand river frontage
and dock and wharf privileges Of our
magnificent river front (second to
none in the Union. extending as Il
does from the lighthouse to Edge
Moor, a magifcent heritage Of our
natural position at the junction OF the
two rivers, to become monopoly in
the bands Of private parties, when the
circumstances favor and warrant the
city in contributing the slight outlay
required and securing condemnation
of the interior marsh for public pur-
poses and thereby secure to the peo-
pie of the State and city its future
development in the interests Of all the
inhabitants of the State as we'll as its
commercial metropolis.
7 hope therefore our city and State
representatives viii arise TO the occa-
sion and prevent this great crime OF
neglected opportunity being consum-
mated. resenting at this time. when
the burden Of private ownership Of
the many public utilities are being
found so burdensome everywhere. In
most cases the grievances alluded to
affect only the comfort or prosperity
OF a part Of the people. but in this
case is involved our whole future
commercial development as a city of
the first class as contrasted with that
OF the Inland city which Wilmington
has practically remained TO the pres
ent time.
Yours respectfully,
3.