Evening journal., 1917-05-12
President Grace of Bethlehem Steel
Urges Upbuilding of RiUer Frontage

Continued from Page Nine)
that Wllmington's industries were
manufacturing a good part Of their
products for South America and for
other foreign trade.
Great Island HarbOr.
Wilmington Is the first large city
inland on the Delaware Bay and
River 1t affords one OF the safest,
as we'll as most adequate, inland har-
bors OF the world Why this project
has laid dormant so many years, IS
difficult for one to understand, par
ticularly so when we stop and con-
slider that the very life Of our ex-
istence is controlled by transporta-
ton. Transportation today is largely
or mainly conducted through the
operation OF rail or water facilities,
and then again to a very large degree
Jointly or the former you are amply
supplied with three trunk lines or
railroads tapping the city on all
sides, and as 10 water facilities you
have chem knocking at your back
door. What advantage these two
divisions Of transportation has meant
TO the corporation in which am
largely interested, is disclosed by our
recent announced policy OF construct
ing at SparrOw's Point, Maryland,
one Of the largest steel works in the
country. and what is more, II is now
we'll under way. One Of the things
that helped us in our conclusion to
develop Sparrow's Point, was the
bringing OF South American ore direct
to the furnaces there. Wilmington,
too. is also well located and I am re-
liably informed that in normal times
ore from Cuba. Brazil, Chile, and
other foreign countries, can be
brought % Wilmington by steamer,
and then shipped by rail to the
furnaces in eastern Pennsylvania,
and cheaper than lake ore. Then
think. too of the possibilities OF
smelling this ore right here, and with
one Of the best and largest coal de-
posits not far away. I am afraid that
the people OF Wilmington do not APP
preciate their natural position.
Self-Supporting Termina4-
"The logical development of Whining
ton should have been from the water
front inland. Your terminal will be not
only self supporting, but should from
the start be a source of revenue if prop
erly managed. We are growing to be &
very large exporting nation, and viii
mington, located as it is, should place
itself in position. through the creation
of these terminal facilities, to partici
pate in this very profitable trade.
81 believe we have the honor of own
ing and operating one Of the larges
manufacturing plants in your city
Right here I wish we could 90 back, i
only for ten years, and have the sam
vision as we have this evening. If w
could, l predict that our Harlan an,
Hollingsworth plant would be located
at Wilmington on the Delaware, no
at Wilmington on the Christiana. w
are limited in the development of on
properties here, on account Of our 10
cation on a waterway that is too made
quate. We arc now to our limit, AM
with the assured prosperity for man
years to come in the shipbuilding in
dustry, we will out of necessity hav
TO enlarge our facilities in other local.
ties to meet the ever-growing deman
for ships. Wilmington should have bee
In position TO have enjoyed its right
full share of this business, but in look
ing at you men around me, L feel tina
IL is not too late.
City Has Valuable Assets.
"The two greatest assets for the de
velopment Of any community, are trans
portation facilities and n good labo
market. You are fortunate in havin
both. although both assets were badll
affected during the past year. due 4
unusual conditions. A shortage o
houses, too, has affected the materia
growth of your city. and while re
spectacle showing has been made il
building houses, still your city need
several thousand more houses TO prop
erly house the workers of the commun
ity. This is a situation which devolve
upon most Of you gentlemen assemble,
here this evening TO improve.
eve are now facing a national crisis
not only R national crisis. but a world
wide crisis. The United States has be
come a participant in this world con
flict, and in so doing she has taken
responsibility upon herself to do he
part. have no fear but that ultimate
ly we will. We must not temporize o
procrastinate. and thus delay.
"One Of the greatest dangers. as
observe It, existing today, is that tn
general American public is too slow t,