Evening journal., 1913-09-22
WILMINGTON AND THE INLAND WATERWAY.

FEDERAL acquisition OF the Chesapeake and Della
Il ware Canal would be great thing. Compile
ton by the Federal Government Of the great chain
OF inland waterways along the Atlantic coast from
Boston to the state Of Florida and even beyond
that point would be far greater thing In
fact It is the great underlying aim Of those who are
working for the Federal acquisition Of the canal
across our Peninsula. There other considera-
tons, largely Of local nature but that is the chief
one Looking at the matter in its hroadest aspect it
be admitted that far as the cities and towns
along the Atlantic seaboard are affected there Is
community Of that should impe them to form
a league Of municipalities that would be invncble In
its potontiaity.
with Boston New Haven Bridgeport. New York,
Trenton. Philadelphia Chester. Wilmington, Balti-
more Norfolk, and other cities working together for
a common purpose OF beneficial nature, it would be
difficult for Congress to deny TO them the public inn
provements demanded, particularly when such im-
proyements from their nature would bring ma
tion-Vide benefit The opinion that such a league Of
Atlantic coast municipalities would be nvincible is
shared by tho Baltimore American. That paper. in
discussing the Torewood Grove meeting in this State
Wednesday says
If the cities along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts from
Boston TO Galveston make united demand upon Con-
Eress for the opening OF inner navigation route
which when completed will form chain of channel
from Boston Bay TO Galveston Bay. this great
betterment will be accomplished In its entirety and
will be completed too within the next ten years
Yesterday Philadelphia and Baltimore held friend
y consultation the result Of which assures the union
of The business forces Of the cities In urging upon
the present Congress the purchase and development of
Of the important OF the links in the proposed
chain Of innerways. But Philadelphia and Baltimore
should stand alone in urging this heterment The
opening Of the three thousand-me-long navigation
route will necessarily have to he brought about
through the development OF important links after
the other The development OF the c. & d. Canal ie
therefore the concern Of every city along the Atlantic
and Gulf coasts. from Boston to Galveston
Ina nrff M choY1d hn ffcott
a lively interest In the development Of the two pro-
posed links necessary TO providing innerway from
New York Bay TO the Chesapeake Bay. With tidal
canal across New Jersey and the C. D. developed
into tidal connection between the Delaware River
and Chesapeake Bay there would be protected inner
transportation route from New York TO Beaufort n.
C. At the meeting to be held in Jacksonville in No
yember all the cities along the eastern coast should
get together in united promotive effort.
Wilmington already has done much in the work Of
arousng public sentiment in favor Of the canal pur-
chase project There is however much more that It
do only for the general project but also for
itself. While Il Is booming the inland waterway
project It also should be establishing and developing
its waterfront the Delaware because without
it will he unable TO reap its fair share Of the
mercal benefits Of such waterway
Let this important fact he borne in mind by all will
mingtonians Deep-ses. coastwise and canal trafnc
will not come up the Chrstiana river to Wilmington
The practical experience of almost century has
demonstrated that fact conclusively. As It will not
come up to Wilmington Wilmington must go out to
the Delaware river and meet intercept and get It, Our
city should and contral It's waterfront and nti-
TALLY It should extend from the Chrisana river north
ward TO the city line from the bulkhead back to
the present marsh bank After that northside water
front has been acquired. the next step should be to
obtain substantial municipal holdings the Delaware
south OF the Christana Those who would like to see
private and speculative interests get away with the
bulk Of that waterfront property now are preaching
the gospel that city should take only small part
Of II. That is by no means what the people Of this
city wish It is their desire that steps be taken by
condemnation or otherwise, that will give 10 the city
the ownership of all that State land lying between low
water mark and the line of the proposed Federal
bulkhead. Nothing short Of that will satisfy them
They are fully determined that the Wilmington Ter
mina Company and its associates shall not get away
with that public domain the Delaware