Evening journal., 1913-02-13
CITY BUSINESS INTERESTS
KEEP UP THE FIGHT TO
SAVE CITY AS PORT

would discourage the deVelOpclng OF
industries now under way and would
seriously effect any others that might
now be contemplated ] told him it
was perfectly natural thing for
the people not to want a change
then explained that the business OF
the Wilmington port is increasing;
that the expenses are inconsiderable
now. and that with the increase OF
receipts there would be no increase
in expenses.
Senator DUPONT Makes Impression.
AT this point Senator DUPONT made
a very forceful impression upon him,
when he spoke Of the employment OF
those not directly interested in the
affairs Of the state. Mr.. DUPONT had
reference TO employees in the GUS
toms service, but Mr.. MacVeagh re-
piled that he did not think such
condition would occur. You have re-
presentatiyes here in Congress who
can take care of offices in that local
ity', he answered
"When ! asked Mr.. MacYeagh II
the changes suggested are positive,
he replied that the whole thing Is in
the hands OF the President and that
he is unable to say at this time
whether the President would send his
accommodation TO Congress. I then
asked Mr.. MacVeagh IL he would
consider IL the part Of wisdom TO
bring a delegation OF business men
from Wilmington for a hearing and
he replied that he hardly considered
il necessary as we had made the sit
uation clear to him, and he thought
that we had thoroughly covered the
ground
MY closing plea to him was that
We felt a great deal Of pride in this
matter. told him wilmington has
become known throughout the world
through her business connections and
that il would often place us In an un-
comfortable position, to say the least,
if such change as contemplated is
made"
During the course OF the converse
tion the three members OF Congress
from Delaware added materially TO the
arguments of Mr.. Mullen and offered
suggestions from time 10 time as he
made his protestA
Many Other Objections.
Delawareans are not the only ones
who are entering protests against the
contemplated change in the customs
service. Members of Congress from
other States are also aroused on the
subject and President Taft and Secre-
tary MacVeagh have been besieged
from all quarters. The proposal has
not met with favor in any locality,
except in those quarters which are
directly benefited.
There is a growing belief here that
President Taft will yield to the pleas
of members of Congress from all
along the Atlantic and Pacific sea-
board and will not put into effect the
reorganization, but will leave IL to
President-elect Wilson. II that is
the case it will at least give time to
the Delawareans TO organize a stub
born resistance.
Wherever consultations have been
proposed the plan for them has been
worked out by James F. Curtis, As
sistant Secretary of the Treasury. in
charge OF customs. and IL is said that
President Taft is growing daily more
disposed TO take no action in the mat
ter and to turn 1t over TO Mr.. Wilson.
Mr. Curtis. IL is said. has finished
the outline of his reorganization
scheme, but Secretary MacVeagh has
not yet found time to examine il. and
it is impossible for him. in view of
the accumulated business already on
his desk, to give II the detailed study
which so important a measure de-
mands. Accordingly. it will prove
even more difficult for President Taft
to find time for its careful considera-
tion, so that there is every indication
that the President Will take no action
on the matter.
The possibility of President Taft
not acting, however, will not prevent
the members Of Congress from Della
ware keeping closely in touch with
the situation. IL is their intention to
defeat the plan If IL Is within their
power and conferences VII probably
be held with both President Taft and
Secretary MacVeagh from time to
time as it is thought the situation de-
mands it.