Evening journal., 1915-02-13
Peoples Column
MILMINGTON AND

SOUTH AMERICA
To the Editor Of THE EVENING
JOURNAL:
Sir Periodically articles have ap-
peared in your paper relative to South
American opportunities as they relate
particularly 10 Wilmington. l. has
been suggested that Wilmington
should have a South American rep
rosentative or contribute toward the
expense of maintaining one.
The Chamber of Commerce has been
represented as having done great
work in issuing a publication with an
article in Spanish
TO those in this city who hold the
reins and know the conditions. this
must be very amusing. So far as Will
mington is concerned il reflects upon
the intelligence and ability of the
South American people of the great
Argentine Republic.
Surely those who have been prepar-
/ ing such articles in such good faith
/ for the city, necessarily must be
brought from a distance at handsome
salaries. They should not be so ig-
norant Of local conditions as not to
know that the people of BuenOs Aires,
Argentine Republic. with whom Will
mington can do business not only
speak English. but write II iuently and
are accustomed TO up-to-date business
methods.
over two years ago the business
men of the great city Of Buenos Aires
addressed a communication to the
business men of Wilmington. IL was
written in English. II recited the
many articles manufactured in Will
mington which were shipped through
other points along the Atlantic shore
to Buenos Aires. Il gave list OF
the manufactured goods, their tonnage
etc, aud suggested the advisability o
entering a steamship at the port O
Wilmington. guaranteeing to deliver ;
full cargo for points west.
AT the time this was substantial,
published in your paper as well az
other papers of "My City First"
The brokers of Buenos Aires cvel
knew of the activities at that time fOl
a river front. and pointed out thl
shortsightedness of Wilmington Il
continuing to ship through Othel
points, while they were not only will
ing to offer cargoes but to take bacl
manufactured goods.
What good will articles in Spanisl
or any other South American Language
do for Wilmington if the city is i'm NJ
better shape to handle business nov
than she was over two years ago.
II will be recalled that a specia
delegation from the Chamber of Com
merce, mostly from Glass A. borrowed
the United States Engineers boat. tool
a sail around the jetty and light
house az The mouth of the Christiana
returned for lunch, and submitted
hollow declaration in the form of
short resolution. addressed to no one
which covered the situation very thor
loughly from their standpoint bu
which touched nothing. Suppose
wireless dispatch, cablegram, or let
ter were received today in reply 4
the Spanish article. II it offered
cargo for the west and gold tenderel
for return cargo of Wilmington mad
goods. what would the Chamber o
Commerce do with it.? Wilmington
with thirty miles of waterfront witt
AA0 HAtlA0 W AlA ul a hOctls WndA MOuAi
she do2 Would it be advisable to TAX
the vessel up the Brandywine. placi
her solid on the rocks and unload her
Would il be advisable to drag tn
vessel up Shipley Run or Mill Creel
where the cargo could be thrown OF
the banks? Probably il would be wei
to suggest that she be anchored OF
Delaware river pier, the cargo light
cred and rehandled many times ant
stored in the many vacant building
about the city.
This would he a fine proposition {,
offer people who are accustomed {,
the best docks in the world and WHIT
have pleaded in English for some tim
for an opportunity to do business witt
Wilmington
Is it not time that the Chamber .
Commerce endeavored to hOnestl.
meet and answer these questions in
proper way instead of attempting Il
make believe that water can be car
ried in Simple Simon's sieve.
Sincerely.
WILL MINGTON.
Wilmington. Del. Feb. IL, 1915.