Evening journal., 1916-11-28
EDITOR DISCUSSES
PORT development
Urged Municipal Ownership
of Water Front as Most
Satisfactory
SPEAKS BEFORE
COMMERCE BODY

Alexander r. Smith, of New York.
editor of the Marine News. rated one
Of the best informed men in the coun-
try on the subject of shipping and
waterways, was the speaker at the
semi-monthly luncheon of the Cham
Der Of Commerce in the Hotel DUPONT
today Importance of Port Develop
ment for the Growth of the City was
the particular phase of the general
subject he chose for his talk
Mr. Smith said that cheap trans
pOrtatiOn is an irresistible commercial
magnet, that it not only attracts COM
merce. but creates it, and that this is
true because there are many products
which cannot stand the cost Of trans
porting if it is high.
"The United States is on the eve of
great development in water trans
portat.on he said. This trend to-
wards water transportation requires
public terminals of the most modern
construction. If Wilmington develops
its port along the most modern lines,
there is nothing in the way Of growth
and development as a port that the
city may not properly aspire to.
The following divisions OF the or
ganizatiOn would be useful in the in
ception of the port development-laws
finance, engineering, terminals and
connections, and traffic and public
ity"
Under traffic Mr.. Smith said, that
preferential rates should not be al
lowed as they are twO-edged swords
Discrimination in rates should also
be avoided, he said. The whole At
lantic Seaboard is affected by rate
determinations, he said Wilmington
should build its port and so adminis-
ter it that it and its interland CON
nections should be OF so substantial
and enduring a nature that nothing
can disturb IT,
Public apathy must be overcome,
he said. The Port Of Wilmington"
should become a household word
Everything of progress connected
with the port should be given wide
publicity. The more publicity VIII
mington receives as a near port the
more rapidly the city will grow as
a real port
He advised the Chamber of Com
merce that the legal features OF the
project should be clearly studied be-
fore actual " ork is started: that the
scheme be ably financed: that the en-
gineering features Of different locali-
ties be looked into; that terminals and
connections, the essential features of
spurs and feeders, be planned and
provided
Wilmington Should profit by the
Of other ports. he said add
ing that Wilmington could lead all the
ports in the country If it eQuips its
terminals with the most advanced me-
chanical facilities.
The port terminus should be regarded
as business propositions to be self-sus-
tanning, avoiding taxing the people, re-
ducing the cost of living and benefitingl
every inhabitant of the city, he pointed
out.
He said that if the State can be per-
suaded to acquire the water front it isl
often better than for the municipality
TO do so. A
In conclusion Mr.. Smith urged mu-
nicipal ownership Of Wimington's
water front as opposed to private owner
ship. He urged this even if it meant
postponement of the developments. and
cited the City of New York, which sold
TO private concerns the immense water
front grants made to It by a colonial
governor, and then has been reacquiring
them since 1870 at an expenditure of
He cited the port OF Liverpool. as /
the best example in the world of a 4
thriving port and urged the adoption T.
Of the method Of control by a mu-
rieipal commission in vogue in that
city. He expressed his surprise that |
a city with port facilities such as viii
has should have neglected
It's opportunities so long.
At the conclusion OF Mr.. Smiths
address President William B. Megear
the appointment OF the
committee 10 nominate twa
directors to be elected at the Janu-
lry meeting; Fred II. Gawthrop,
Henry Bush and Harry T. Speak
nan.