Evening journal., 1913-03-11

The Chamber OF Commerce placed
itself squarely on record today as be-
ing in favor Of municipally-owned
and controlled waterfront on the Del
aware river
That action was based upon reso-
luton that met with the approval Of
the special committee Of which Al
fred d. Warner is chairman.
The resolution was adopted by un-
ANXIOUS vote, greatly to the chagrln,
no doubt, Of partisans OF the Whining
ton Terminal Company and its asso-
ciates,
The resolution adopted was as fol-
lows;
Be Il Further Resolved, that IN
Wow Of the legal uncertainties as
to the rights vested by the Bulk
head Act Of 1901 IN the riparian
owner referred 10 in said Act, an
In view OF the legal uncertainties
that would result from the repeal
of said Act, that we are unable
10 advise as to the desirability OF
the repeal OF said Act and there
request the Board OF Directors
10 make further and prompt in
vestigation Of the whole situation
and report its recommendations
to this body.
Be 1t resolved, by the Chamber
of Commerce that the city of VIII
mington should own for the bene-
tit of all the people OF the city
and state such portion Of the Del
aware river front, either north or
south Of the Christiana, or both,
as may be sufficient for all prob
able future municipal needs. Be
it further
Resolved, that this ownership
should be secured at the earlles.
possible moment consistent with
good business methods and all
nroner stems should be taken 10
develop the same. Be IL further,
Resolved. That the Chamber of
Commerce take such steps IN con
nection with the Mayor and
Council of Wilmington or any
other civic bodies to carry these
plans into effect
Mayor Harrison w. Howell wa
present at the luncheon and was in
troduced by Josiah Marvel, The May
or said he was beginning to feel sat
isled with the Chamber OF Commerc
because 1t had now reached the pon
where IL was being criticized by peo
pie, fact, he said. that showed hin
that the organization was up and do
ing He also praised the board o
directors. He made several sugges
tions regarding special committee
and spoke Of the work carried on b
r ]. Maclean formerly business man
ager Of the organization. He spolS
in glowing terms of George II. Nc
Govern, secretary of the Chambe
and said that he was glad to kno'
that the Board of Directors were &C
ing to increase his salary which wa
not half enough for the service
which .e had rendered to the organ
ization M
In speaking of the riyerfront. tn
Mayor said that whatever the report
the committee on that project migf
be, he hoped that the report would b
discussed and no recommendation
made until every member of th
AtAN lHhl hlc VI
was taking the right course in th
matter. The mayor also spoke Of th
Ten-Hour Law, Workingmen's Con
pensation Act and other measure
now under consideration by he Legil
lature, and said that he favored thel
and that he was glad to know that th
reorganization had agreed on Ii
bills.
The report Of the committee on th
Municipal Government Act now befoI
the Legislature was received. The r.
port recommended that the organic
tion indorse the enabling act and ii
resolution was passed unanimousl
The enabling act, if passed, will allo
the voter of the city to take a vo
whether the commission form of go
eminent shall be adopted in that mi
nicipality.
Mr. Marvel stated that about $40 OF
had been subscribed to the Chamb'
OF Commerce on It organization.
this amount, $4,000 has been collectC
and only $4,000 expended by the o
ganization, leaving about $1,000 in Il
banks OF the city.
The dinner guests we're; MsyC
Harrison w. Howell, Josiah Marve
Rodney Thayer, c. D. Garretson,
D. Warner, S. K. Smith, o. c. Purd
George w. Sparks, James Wrigh