Smyrna times., 1917-01-31
FACTS ABOUT SMYRNA RIVER
BROUGHT OUT IN CONGRESS
CONGRESSMAN MILLER GETS
SMYRNA APPROPRIATION THRU
1t Was Vigorously Opposed by Con-
gressman Frear, Wisconsin-Ietter
of j. E. Hoffecker. Smyrna, Read

=
of j. E. Hoffecker, Smyrna, Read
Smyrna River came in for spirited
discussion in the lower House of Con-
gress on Tuesday of last week. jan
uary %, when Congressman Miller on
behalf of Smyrna shippers made a
strong plea in defense. Congressman
Frear, of Wisconsin objected to the
appropriation of $40, 900 on the ground
that the tonnage carried had fallen off
85 per cent. Mr.. Frear said:
''Mr. Chairman. on page 402 of
the Engineers report it appears that
we have had total of $107, 807 thus
far appropriated for Smyrna river. The
balance on hand, according to the
report, is $18. SAT. The bill calls
for a new appropriation of $50, 000-
for river that is IL miles long, that
has but one steamer of 96 tons upon
it which makes two trips week. In
1915, last year, we expended STAT
upon this river or creek as it may be.
The commerce in 1913 reached III,
786 tons. In 1915 it had diminished
to Is, $50 tons, or over 85 per cent.
Mr.. Miller of Delaware. Mr..
Chairman, will the gentleman yield?
Mr.. Fear. Yes.
Mr.. Miller of Delaware. want
to say in fairness to this matter that
the tonnage reported in 1915 and in
1914 is due to the fact that the people
using that stream did not report their
tonnage, and if the gentleman will
bear with me further, | will also say
that the reason there is so much un-
expended balance is because of con-
troversy between the United States
engineers and the people there relative
to a right of way. That has since
been adjusted, and the money appro-
priated last year and this year can
we'll be used in continuing that pro-
ject. l desire to interject my answer,
right there, while the gentleman is
talking.
Mr.. Frear. Very well. l accept
the statement. The commerce re-
port is simply Jumped in one total and
it is not itemized. Ordinarily Army
engineers give US statistics on which
we can determine the character OF
commerce. This additional appropri-
alton is for dredging upon the river.
1t is not for any thing special, so fal
as can understand, for new jettie!
or anything of that kind. In veiw o.
the fact that $18. 54S remain on hanC
and only $107, 900 has been expended
upon the river in all time, with one
little steamer upon it, l move to strik,
it out.
Congressman Moore also Comes to All
Mr.. Moore of Pennsylvania. Mr.
Chairman, in addition to what thu
gentleman form Delaware (Mr. Mil
ler) has said. would like to observe
with regard to the Smyrna River. Del
that the people in the larger cities
particularly Philadelphia, are nov
seeking communication by water wit
the city of Smyrna, in Delaware. an
that it can be approached economicall
for freight purposes by way of tn
Smyrna River I know of my ow
knowledge that steamboat was pur
chased during the last year or so
establish a new communication wit
Smyrna from Philadelphia, and tbs
those who undertook the purchas
of this boat did so upon the assuranc
that the people of Smyrna were seek
ing aid, and that they wanted to &c
their goods to the market and wante
better commu nications with the citie
with which they dealt. The difficult
was principally that there was M
sufficient depth Of channel in th
Smyrna River to accommodate the ne
steamboat; and after it was purchase
and efforts were made to have IL
channel deepened there arose a que!
ton as to the ownership of piece {
jutting land that made an elbow
the river. The desire was to straigl
ten the river, and the whole proje
was held up for some considerab
NltuSJ OSOduS6 IudL 4uCSbANh VI AlSA
of way or ownership had not been d
termined. My latest information
that they have reached an adjustmen
and that the proposition to deepen a
widen and straighten the river is nc
in a fair way of being carried OF
1t seems to me, again. as stat
yesterday with regard to Racco
Creek, that this is one of the proje'
that ought to be commended, becar
it proposes to get the people in
rural districts and their products {
to the larger centers in order that th
may trade with the rest of the wor
is relief proposition; it is extel
ing the trade of local community
the broad market beyond. SmyE
is practically bottled nm so far