The citizen. (Honesdale, Pa.) 1908-1914, 1913-01-21
$2,OOO,OOO TO PUSH PORT
development
Confidence in Present Administration
of Philadelphia Port Led to
Recommendation for Record
Appropriation.


Philadelphia, Jan. 20.-With a
recommendation of $4,000, 0,000-the
largest sum ever appropriated by the
national government to the Delaware
river channel-Congress has placed
it's stamp of approval upon the pro-
jected greater" Port of Philadel-
phia, and within four years, it is es-
timated, the 35-foot channel will Ibe
complete, providing ample depth for
the largest vessels built.
This recommendation, said to be
due almost entirely to the Rivers
and Harbors Committees confidence
in the present administration of the
port, following as it did, within a
few days, the Endorsement of Direc-
tor Norris proposed legislative pro-
gram by committee representing
the trade and commercial organiza-
tions of Philadelphia, paves the way
to an unprecedented port develop
ment which only depends now upon
the financial aid which the Legisla-
ture will be asked to give toward
those improvements to which Fed
eral funds cannot be applied.
Describing the attitude of Con-
gress toward the Port of Philadel-
phia, and explaining the Rivers and
Harbors Committees reasons for in
dorsing the full sum requested by
the government engineers for chan
mel work, Congressman Michael DON
oboe, member of the committee, and,
with Representative Lee, of Potts
vile, indefatigable worker for the
river and port, said:
Government Will Cooperate.
''It is becoming the settled policy
of Congress that money for the i'm
provement of waterways shall be ap-
propriated only where those water
ways lead to ample terminal facil-
tiles, controlled, not by private in
terests, but by the municipality or
State, for the benefit of all the peo-
pie. By ample terminal facilities l
mean not merely a sufficient num-
Der of public wharves and docks, but
also sufficient railroad connections. 4"
AS the Legislature will hardly
ignore conditions which have been
the Federal governments incentive
for $2,000,000 appropriation, al
though the Federal governments in
terest is only general, while that of
the State is local and particular, Di-
rector Norris feels that the appro-
priations from the State will be
forthcoming and also that he will not
be refused the legislation by which
he hopes ultimately to place the Port
of Philadelphia under public admin
istration.
Congress Watching Progress.
I'm all fairness l should say that
this record appropriation is due in
no small way to the Blankenburg ad-
ministration," said Congressman
Donohoe. THE Mayor heartily CO.
operated with Congressman Lee and
myself in our efforts to bring a Con-
gressional delegation to Philadelphia
to illustrate the needs of the Della
ware river. Besides, the work that
is being done by Director Norris, of
the Department of Wharves and
Docks, to provide additional docking
facilities is not unknown to the mem
bers of the Rivers and Harbors Com
mittee.
''If the State will assist Philadel-
phia in developing it's port facilities,
Congress will not delay the work of
deepening the Delaware river"
Director Norris is underwood to be
engaged now in preparing the bills
to be submitted to the Legislature.
Among these will be a request for a
power of eminent domain, under
which to acquire parts of the water
front for public development; the re-
vision of some existing laws which
hinder expansion, and a provision for
a liberal appropriation.