Evening journal., 1915-05-26
MAYOR HOWELL
ON WATERFRONT
Continued from First Page.

Continued from First Page.
and combine the commerce from the
Great Lakes and other points herein
before mention at New York. So the
position of our city along the pro-
posed route is clearly established.
lt must be borne in mind. how
ever, that the water-borne commerce
will only be brought TO the cities
which are prepared to receive IT, Are
We prepared at the present time? |
hardly think so. The facilities which
we now have are totally inadequate
for active competition. The only
waterfront that we have at the pres
ent time is along the banks of the
Christiana river and in many years
that has not materially increased in
development. So, we must look to the
Delaware river and take advantage
of the opportunities presented. The
riverfront bordering on the city OF
Wilmington should belong to us. The
whole OF IL, or at least a sufficient
amount to properly take care of all
of the commerce that can be brought
TO our shores.
There seems to exist a question OF
doubt about the ownership of the
riverfront Certain citizens claim
ownership through purchase and priv
ilege granted by the State. It would
be advisable for the city of Whining
ton 10 have the alleged owners estab-
lish the right as claimed and then
proceed to acquire, by condemnation
or purchase, as instructed by the
voters at an election.
Apparently a great and serious mis-
take was committed by the Lcgisla-
ture in making il possible for the
riverfront north of the Christiana
river, either actually or inferentially,
to be owned privately and beyond the
control of the city OF Wilmington. or
at least the city of Wilmington made
as serious a mistake in not securing
such privileges when It was possible.
It is not too late to begin, and from
now on ] trust that the agitation will
| be renewed and never cease until
that which we desire has been ac-
complished.
Private ownership on the Delaware,
as far as can be ascertained, has done
nothing but retard the development.
Surely. some means can be discovered
by which this state of affairs can be
changed.
If it can be clearly established that
the ownership of the land under wa
| ter between the bank and the bulk
head line belongs to private interests
then the citizens of Wilmington
through their mayor and Council
should take immediate steps to own
and control one of the best natural
assets of the city. It is fair to pre-
sumo that an amount far in excess
of the interest on the bond issue
necessary could be raised annually
after the completion of the proposed
docks from leases and other docking
! privileges That part of the river
front not available for docks could
be reclaimed by cooperation with the
United States government and, by
bulkheading and filing in, the lane
would be desirable for manufacturing
or park purposes.
Imagine a series of municipal dock
and n is easy to imagine deep-sea
coasting and inland waterway Graf
using them Nor does il require
stretching Of the Imagination to fore
see a line of fast steamers to Phila
delphia. Il would be possible to hav
passenger and freight steame
every sixty to ninety minutes ant
making the trip between Wilmington
and Philadelphia in one hour and
half
More than likely our present lin
of boats would use such docks as
terminal. It would be as easy of ac
cess by trolley as their present 10
cation and the time saved would b
worth more in extra business thai
the cost of the privilege.
. Competition in bidding for the priv
ileges offered would be very keei
and the remuneration would be sur
prisingly high. That has been tn
experience of New York and othe
great maritime cities.
There seems TO be no limit TO III
advantages to be gained, and If th
J people really get a determined star
7 and arc persistent, all obstacles ca
, be overcome and finally the drear
of years will be realized Passenge
5 and freight lines OF all description
will be knocking at our doors fo
rights and leases.
T. Manufactures and new industries
[ desiring both rail and water facil
} ties. will be seeking locations her
Y instead of us having to seek them AM
1 i'm only too MANY instances. failin
> to get them. All OF these blessing
3. Of development are for the city th'
is prepared to- receive them. A mi
nicipal waterfront on the Dolawal
= will create a city great in wealth an
G importance.
= THE EVENING JOURNAL hs
+ kept the matter persistently befoi
, the public. l trust IT will redoub
its efforts from now on and help I
to see the way TO realize our fonde
ambition.
,ol Public opinion Is a powerful IA
tor If we can arouse II and ha'
n the Sacking Of all the newspaper
!, together with the support of the final
cial men of the city. a rivertront Il
the city of Wilmington is assured.