Evening journal., 1916-03-30
SAYS CITY LACS IN
PORT development
Mr.. Wilson Cites Benefits
That Would Come From
River FrontDevelOpment
WOULDHAVE ENGINEER
ESTIMATE THE COST


Some Remarks on River Transpor-
tation" was the subject Of an address
made by Joseph S. Wilson. Of the Will
mington and New Jersey Transporta-
ton Company. before the members OF
the Rotary Club in the Rose Room Of
the Hotel DUPONT at noon today.
He said, in part as follows: What
has Wilmington as community ever
done TO forward its position as ship
ping point or to improve conditions
limiting the size Of vessels that can
be built at the local shipyards? The
Harlan q Hollingsworth Corporation
has, at its own expense. dredged a
portion OF the Christiana opposite its
launching ways. but they are still
handicapped in taking the large COM
pleted vessels from their yard down
the winding Christiana to the river.
You will recall recently the steps
necessary to get the city authorities
TO remit the small percentage OF
dredging expenses which they are ex-
pected to pay the Federal govern
uent.
THE city OF Trenton is notable city
OF about the size of Wilmington, which
seems TO he interested In their water
transportation development. W hen they
had induced the government 10 pay a
large part of the expense of removing
rock obstruction from the harbor the
municipality started at its own expense
the construction OF two magnificent
docks for the use of river vessels. These
docks are 10 cost about S2O0OOO. As a
result of the new harbor Development
In Trenton the American Bridge Com
pany Is rapidly cquippmg its plant for
the construction of steel harges which
is n direct material benefit TO the city.
"Ihe interests with which ] ann con
nccted have never suffered at all by our
lack Of advancement as port except
ing what We would have gained from a
growth Of wealth and size of the COM
munity. But ! do feel that ,wc. as a
city, have moi kept pace with the needs
Of our harhor for the increased size of
modern steamships. The question natu-
rally arises as to what we should have
done"
considering the geographical situa-
tion Of Wilmington there are two main
methods Of developing our harhor: First
the river front. and secondly. the inn
provement of the Christian river. There
are in Wilmington many men who have
told MS what should be done and how
One very ostinable gentleman told M,
hc believed the Christiana could b,
widcucd and straightcncd for about
slun000 Another appeared before
Council and said a pier should be built
on the river front south of the Chris
tiana. and stated price that woul,
have been totally Inadequate.
"Is there in Wilmington a harbol
engineer who can tell us what We
should do and how? have never
heard OF any. We all like to make
suggestions and tell how we think a
thing should be done. am. therefore
going TO presume to make a sugges.
tion. Let the Chamber of Commerce
consider the ways and means OF rails.
ing funds to employ a irst-class au-
thOrty on harbor improvement tC
come to Wilmington to study condi.
tions and needs and to make recon-.
mend2tiOns.
"The great cities OF the world have
come into existence because of theii
water transportation problem Som,
Of these cities. notably Berlin and
Paris have lost their identity as ports
with tic modern increase in marine
tonnage. hut they have close conncc
tiors with the sen via ports OF theil
own. Other cities have by their owI
enercv improved their waterway IA
cilities ~ keen pace with the increasl
I'm size Of vessels. Manchester. Eng
land. was losing its commercial posi-
iion due 10 the fact that LARGE vessels
could not have come tu its docks an,
10 overcome this the great Mancheste
Canal Nas constructed. largely at thi
cxDenoe of tho Manchester municipal
itv Likewise Glasgow. situated or
small river. Clyde not much wide
than our own Christiana. is the great
est center for shipbuidinF in tn
world due TO the resourcefulncss an,
energy ~ the canny Scot
"The Delaware river receives an an
prOnrstion of about 100000 a yea
for channel maintenance u Is alto
ce;hor right that the federal govern
ment should bear this expense IT, or
der that export trade should b.
handled out OF Philadelphia instea,
of cut Of the natural harbor such al
Norfolk We. or New York City.
Opportunities for river transpOr
tatior of freight are increasing. I'm III
past the traffic has not been handled
so carefully as recent years. Nov
rail connections and transfer point
ar found more frequently at termin
ais Of waterlines. Economically it j
lf great value to the country, due 4
the lower rates prevailing i'm local
tics where there is water competition
arL also quicker service available 4
he shippers.
Wilmington opportunities for trad'
due TO water transportation arc no
fully realized. Our tonnage is abou
100000 tons annually and there is M
1oubt that those who are able to avai
themselves of water routes whethe
Ill or partial, save money and time OF
their shipments. There arc manu-
'actuTers in Wilmington who sa,