Evening journal., 1915-07-26
PARTY Will INSPECT
THE RIVER FORTS
Congressman Moore Will
Lead Delegation Cd Trip
Next Wednesday
WANT LARGER
GARRISONS ON RIVER

To make an inspection of the
waterways and defenses of the low
Ell Delaware, members and friends
of the Atlantic Deeper Waterways
Association will leave South street,
Philadelphia on the steamer Sylvan
Dell, on Wednesday morning at 9
o'clock. The study of the waterways
and defenses will be an exhaustive
one. it has been announced, and the
result will be recommendations to
Congress that certain improvements
be made. The occasion has been des-
ignated a Waterways National De-
tense Day"
Governor Charles r. Miller, of Del
aware. has already accepted an invi-
tatiOn to take the trip, as has Mayor
Donnelly of Trenton. and nearly
score of Congressman. Congressman
Moore, president of the Atlantic
Deeper Waterways Association. has
been busy for several weeks planning
tor the inspection trip and. so as 20
be in a position to explain the points
of interest along the route. made a
preliminary inspection of the lower
Delaware and its defenses a few days
ago.
Accompanied by Charles Elmer
Smith. secretary of the Builders Ex-
change Congressman Moore made a
close inspection OF the river and its
fortihcations. and upon his return to
Philadelphia issued a statement in
which he pointed out what is needed
IN the way of improvements.
I'VE learned on this trip" Congress-
man Moore said. what the people
Ct Delaware. Pennsylvania and New
Jersey should know First. that in
three forts--Fort DUPONT. Fort Mott
and old Fort Delaware-w have a Sc
ries of excellent coast defenses. but
with extremely limited supplies Sec
ond, that at other points along the
Atlantic coast there are from five to
ten companies Of upwards of 100 men
each, but that our allowance on the
Delaware has been reduced to four
companies. two of which will be sent
to the Philippines next Friday The
reason for this is that Con cress. in
its desire to be economical, limits the
coast artillery to about $4,000 men.
1t is possible that this policy of eco
nomy and transfer may close Fort
Mott. because there will only be
enough men. when the two comDa-
MES have been moved, to garrison one
fort"
The trip on Wednesday will be
the first popular inspection ever made
of the Notifications of the Delaware
So little is known of the defenses OF
the lower Delaware that this oppor-
tunity TO view them will be seized by
hundreds of business and professional
men to whom invitations have beer
extended. It has been explained thai
the trip is being made for a doubl,
purpose-to procure information and
to strengthen the cause of inland
waterways.
An effort is now being made to OBJ
tain an escort for the trip of the tor
pedo boat destroyers. which will soor
take part in the naval demonstration
in the upper Delaware Bay. The Syl
van Dell will proceed down the river
to the approaches of the Chesapeal,
q Delaware Canal, making stops al
Fort DUPONT Fort Mott and old For
Delaware There will be short exer
cises at Fort DUPONT. where the par
ty will be received by Colonel Dan
lei w. Ketcham. who commands the
Notifications of the Delaware StoD!
will later be made at Chester and New
Castle to receive members of the ex
petition.
The National Security Leapue o
which Joseph H. Choate is honorar,
president and Alton B. Parker hon
orary vice-president. has taken ar
active interest in the proposed trip
and il will be represented by its ex
ecutive secretary. Henry L. West o
Washington, D. c. Leading army an,
navy officers of this vicinity are ex
pected to he present