Smyrna times., 1915-08-04
PRESIDENT WEBB TALKS OF
SMYRNA STEAMBOAT LINE
REGRETS PRESENT CONDITION
HOLDS BACK IMPROVED SERVICE
Slow Progress Made in Getting Neces-
sarY Land Titles for Proposed Cuts.
All But One Has Been Secured

Fruit shippers of Smyrna and vi
cinity will be glad to know that prog
ress, though seemingly slow. is being
made in the matter Of a shorter Smvr-
ma River route and that prospects
are looming up bright for fast pass
enger and freight boat line between
Smyrna and Philadelphia. So slow
and tedious has been the work
OF securing deeds to the land for
making the three proposed cuts. that
shippers have expressed disappoint-
ment as the fruit shipping season
opens. President Webb of the Smvrna
Steamboat Company. has been only
too anxious to get the needed improve
meut under way and is forced. owing
to present conditions, to use the
frankie" until deeper water can be
mad to run a bigger and faster boat.
Regarding these conditions. which the
Company regrets as much as the pa.
irons Of the line. President Elisha
Webb. Jr., makes this statement:
Statement From President Webb
In letter to me a few DAYS ago.
touching on the general business con-
ditions of the Company, F. s. Nal
com, our representative. stated. that
the people we're very much dsappoin-
ted in not having a freight and pas.
senger steamer this summer. land re-
garding this as a message from YOUR
community. | am impelled tn reply to
1t through the medium of the Times
II you can conveniently favor me with
the space to DO so No one regrets
more than myself. our inability 10
operate the steamer Elizabeth Mon.
roe Smith. = as contemplated. mas.
much as the boat was purchased for
this purpose, but a trial of two or
three trips. proved oonclusivelv that
the water conditions of Smyrna Riv-
er would not permit of a successful
operation. hence, we were obliged 70
discontinue and maintain a regular
schedule with the steamer frankie. /"
Your people are probably aware that
Immediately upon acquiring this line.
the writer arranged for rebuilding of
the wharves and in the interest of
patronizing local interests. placed the
contract with Smyrna builder and
had this feature of the business in A
No. shape in less than six weeks
after the award of the contract.
Only One Remaining Title to Acquire
Since acquiring the line. with the
assistance of Charles H. LeFevre
Esq, we have made every effort 10
obtain title to the three rights of
way required by the Government for
the Improvement of Smyrna River.
and am pleased to state we have
been successful with two interests in
acquiring same. There yet remains
to acquire right of way through the
land of Charles F. Storz and il is 70
be sincerely hoped that the commits
sion appointed by the State to acquire
this land by condemnation. or other
wise. will be successful during the
coming week when it is understood
that they will visit the state for the
purpose Of determining this question.
II these negotiations are successful
1t will enable Mr.. LeFevpre. rem.
resenting the Company, to PROMPTLY
turn over to the Government. deeds
Tor the three rights Of wav with
abstracts of title and these papers
Will be promptly forwarded to Wash |
ington and after being passed on. the |
District Engineer will be instructed 4
to proceed with the Improvement
which will probably involve a survey /
of specifications. adyer.
tising Of proposals and the letting of /
the contract which ought to be ae.
before the season is over
in order that the improvements might
be completed before next spring.
Company Stands Ready to Give Service
This is a brief summary of the ex.
isting conditions and is made for the
purpose Of laying before the people
Of Smyrna and the surrounding coun-
trv who are interested in the re-es-
Of a freight and passeng.
er service between Smyrna and Phila-
delphia, the exact status Of the case
When the contract for the improve
ment Of the River has been awarded
the Company stands ready to make
the necessary improvements to the
Smith" for the purpose Of
adapting her to the requirements
'f the route but as the entire project
hinges upon being able to furnish the
government with the rights Of way.
L is hoped that the Storz interests
will join the Cumminss interest. who
nave already done their part towards
the needed creek improve.
nents. =