Evening journal., 1916-04-05
Miller ASSERTS
CITY aids HARbOR
FOR WILMINGTON
Continued from FIrst Page.

Continued from First Page.
Miller asked him to arise and put
any question to him about this IL he
was not satisfied with the explana-
lion. but Mr.. Frear did not do so.
In his remarks about the Lewes
and Rehoboth Canal project Repre-
sentative Frear attacked the tonnage
which he claimed should be shown as
having gone through the canal. Mr..
Miller pointed out that the canal had
not been completed and therefore II
was not possible 10 estimate the tom
mage. He went on to speak of the
general benefit of this canal TO the
western side of Sussex county.
Speaking OF the Wilmington har-
Dor situation, Congressman Miller
said
Tells Of Appropriations.
Il am very glad the gentleman from
Wisconsin saw ne to bring this up, be-
cause if he had not done so would
have made the usual pro from amend
ment i'm order to obtain the floor 10
explain il. This question came mp
last year. when the United States en-
gineer officer at Wilmington, Del,
called my attention to a letter which
he had written to the city authorities
in Wilmington with reference to this
matter Under the ace Of the General
Assembly Of Delaware. passed i'm 1901,
the city r Wilmington is authorized
TO contribute 10 per cent OF tho
amount appropriated by the National
Government up to and including tho
sum OF 100000. Heretofore II has
been the practice Of the district engi-
neer to make known TO the city au-
thorities the state Of the finances in
connection with these appropriations
and then the money would be included
in the next annual budget Of the city
In other words. the initiative. as has
been the practice. has come from the
United States engineer in that dis
trict. Major Johnston, the present en-
gineer. reported IN his letter in June
to the City Council that since 1901
when this act went into effect, S554,OOC
had been appropriated by the Ma
tional Government for Wilmington
harbor.
Explains Law Provision.
Il want to call to the attention OF
the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr
Frear) that. although there may have
been. as he says, one million dollars
expended on the projects at Whining.
ton. Del, TO date the act OF the Gen.
cral Assembly Of Delaware is only
construed 10 mean that the city shall
pay this 10 per cent. from 1901, and
up until the end Of the last fiscal year
June 30. 1915 there has been S544.00(
appropriated by the National Govern
ment. Ten per cent of that would bC
sos 900. Up 10 June. 1915. there hat
been appropriated about $4,000. Ir
the rivers and harbors act Of 1912 Z
dredging plant was established for Oh,
Wilmington. Del. district and tC
late about 100000 has been expended
On that dredging plant.
Charge Dredge Cost.
"As l have said to date about 5000.
900 has been expended on that dredg
ing plant, but there was a sharp dif
terence OF opinion between the cit.
authorities and the various organiza
tions Of the city OF Wilmington, sucl
as the Chamber OF Commerce and tn
engineer officer at Wilmington. m.
people claiming that the cost OF thi
dredge should not be charged ~
against the total appropriations o
Wilmington harbOr for the reason tha
by tie wording of the rivers and har
bOrSbact OF 1912 this dredging plan
can be used in connection with thl
improvement Of the harbOr at vii
mington. Del. and in other place.
in the engineering district. with head
quarters at Wilmington. That mean
any other project in the State OF Del
aware and any other project in tn
State of New Jersey down as far a.
Cape May and up as far as Absecol
inlet on the Atlantic Ocean, so that
think the committee will bear witt
me in the contention that there i
merit in the claim of the city authori
ties that the cost of the dredging plan
should not be charged up against tn
total appropriation. Therefore that re
duces il to about S350.OOO. and 10 pc
cent. OF that, as We see. is $4,000 II
-ound figures.
SAYS People Cooperate.
Congressman Miller continued
"Mr. Chairman. I would not be ful
filling my duty IL I did not see to /
that there was written into the Con
sressional Record the fact that m,
people had co-operated TO the fulles
extent Of their capabilities with tn
Federal authorities.
"I am not going to deal with thi
subject OF cooperation any longer
because I think I may have alread
answered the statement Of the gentle
man from Wisconsin (Mr. Frear). an
r he has any further questions TO asl
would like 10 answer them.
would like to take up the question
suggested by my friend from Mort
Carolina (Mr SMALL as TO the short
ness of tonnage. the lack of tonnage
on the various streams in the Stat
OF Delaware. 70 seems that IN
fonnapo Of efrpams all ovof. fho coun