Evening journal., 1913-08-06
Mr.. HAMILTON
URGES BIG WHARF
FOR THE CITY

John s. Hamilton. publicity man
ager of the Chamber of Commerce.
has written the following letter
commencing the city wharf project
to Councilman Slower:
August 6, 1913.
MT Weller r. Slower. Chairman
Councils Finance Committee.
Dear sir In congratulating the
city OF Wilmington and yourself for
the promising prospects of a wharf
at the foot Of Church street, could
at the same time urge upon you the
desirability OF taking into considera-
ton. while you are perfecting your
plans for the wharf, the coming wider
and deeper Delaware and Chesapeake
Canal
"As you are aware. J. Hampton
Moore. a Philadelphia representative
In Congress has introduced bill
providing for the purchase or con-
demnation OF the present canal. You
will doubtless remember that our rep
resentative, Heald. introduced a bill
in 1911 which carried with IL an ap-
preparation OF S2500.000 You will
also recall that an investigation Of
the securities OF the Canal Company
revealed that there was some irreg
ularity IN the bonds, and that caused
further delay in the project at
that time
The bill introduced by MIR Moore
is more promising. however. In the
fact that 1t does not provide for any
fixed amount Of money TO purchase
the property OF the now existing
Canal Company and II therefore ap
pears as If the prospect of a deepe,
Chesapeak Canal Is brighter than
ever a this time.
IL think II IS likely you are familiar
with all this, but ! am recapitulatinR
Ia IN order 10 direct your attention
al this time. 10 the necessity Of build
ing the projected wharf al the foot OF
Church street. in keeping with a plan
which will accommodate any vessels
which may or can use the new canal
when Il is completed.
The traffic OF the Delaware anC
chesapeake Bays is greater than the
entire foreign commerce Of the United
States, and the opening OF the great
er canal will surely bring much OF
this commerce within the capacities Of
the Christiana and even the Brandy
wine.
THE opening OF the proposed canal
would make the Chesapeake Bay as
near 10 Wilmington for steamboats,
as is Philadelphia at this time Some
OF us believe there should be. and
We are working for closer and better
trade relations between Wilmington
and the Eastern Shores of Maryland
and Virginia, and the opening of th'
proposed canal would certainl,
further the efforts already being made
| and a 900-foot wharf within a few
short blocks Of our markets woul,
make Wilmington ready 70 take ad
vantage Of its opportunities az once
81 write because ! thought perhap
it might not occur 20 YOU and th
other gentlemen who are so commend
ably working with you on this pro
iect. that tho coming canal shoul
receive consideration. I know tha
the first consideration Of your com
lmittees has been to provide a whar
for Jersey produce and the like, bu
am sure the suggestion 10 build
wharf which can be also utilized 70
greater Chesapeake and Delawar
Canal viii appeal 70 you as II has q
me- TO he the proper thing to do a
this time.
Assuring you that my object 8
writing TO you is only 70 say just wha
would possibly be the foundation o
an inestimable benefit 10 the city. ] ar
Very truly yours.
John s. Hamilton"