Evening journal., 1917-08-21
NEW HARBOR EXPERT
OUTLINES HIS PLANS
Harbor Board Approves Mr..
Richardson's Suggestions
for Proposed Survey
DISCUSS COASTWISE
TRADE WITH BOSTON

The meeting Of the Board Of lIarbor
Commissioners. held this morning in
the Municipal Building, was one Of the
most important since the board was
created, from the fact that it was the
Inauguration Of the Hrst Organized
work looking TO the establishment Of
municipal docks and terminals. Tho I
board has opened its ONCE in Room 37s.
which has been equipped with modern
furniture and Ming devices. This
offlco will be open daily from $50 to 5
o'clock and on Saturdays until 1
o'clock For the present II will be in
charge OF II. H. Richardson, formerly |
connected with the Board Of Port |
Commissioners. and the Board Of Trade I
OF Jacksonville, Fla, who. has been en- /
gagged by the Harbor Board to compile |
a commercial and industrial survey Of |
Wilmingtcns industries, as well as |
those in tributary territory.
All the commissioners, Charles
Warner chairman; James p. Win
chester and villa A Speakman,
were present.
Mr.. Richardson wns designated by
the board with the official title OF
Special Representative. An outline OF
his plan to secure the information cnd
statistics so necessary for the future
guidance of the board was presented
and adopted.
The plans we're as follows
First. To compile a list of all OF
the manufacturing industries Of Will
m'ngton and its trade territory as
well as a list Of all wholesale and job
bing concerns. These will be card
indexed both alphabetically and under
C Ass fcation Of lines of business.
Second Personal letters will be sent
to the executives Of these concerns re-
qucsting them 10 cooperate I'm the
work by nlling In blank forms TO be
furnished them the annual tonnage Of
inbound raw materials from whence
they come and whether by water or
rail. and also the tonnage Of outbound
manufactured products. their destina-
'ions and whether by water or rail.
AN Of these concerns will receive the
guaranteed assurance Of the HarbOr
Board that any information thus fur
nihsed will he treated as strictly con-
fdental. and the statistics given will
only be used IN the aggregate for the
purpose OF ascertaIning as nearly as
possible the volume OF Wilmington
business and arrive at the number
size and type Of warehouses ard piers
which will be necessary to properl,
take care Of tho business.
Third. study will be made Of
the volume OF business which may
possibly be secured to pass through
the public terminals from the bacl
territory of Wilmington as far as tn
rail freight mates will permit.
Fourth. A study and report on th'
possible revenue to be derived from
such business passing over the pub
lie terminals will be selfsupportinl
II not indeed a good financial invest
ment. as well as a potent factor II
the increase of Wilmington's com
merce.
Fifth While this work is going ol
cata will also be secured which vii
be of great value in the matter o
locating new industrial plants in tn
city. and possibly on the public tel
mial property TO be acquired Thi
information will show the cost G
light. heat power. fuel water, lnbo
conditions. rentals OF sites. etc.
sixth A study and report will b
made regarding the present sledIlsul
lines making Wilmington home por
or a port Of call. and also Of the poss
bilitics Of sNuring additional line
coofNvise and foreign, as quickly as IN
units Of the docks and terminals ar
constructed.
In an OF this work the harbor boar
has been assured Of the earnest g
operation and support Of the ohloia
OF the Chamber OF Commerce, as we
as Of its individual members and n
leading business men Of the city.
Tho Board Of Commissioners Join
the American Association Of Port a
thoritics and 40 least one represent
tive will attend the Cleveland conve
tiun OF the association.
II. IT, Richardson will appear befo
City Council the Chamber OF Coz
mcrce and the Rotary Club, explainii
his work.
The discussion Of establishing
coastwise trade from Boston to w
mngcn and points south awaken
much interest at tho meeting u
morning
Expert Il. H. Richardson was
strurted "a consult with the street a
Sewer commissioners, the clerk Of
market and the Chamber Of CONNER
regarding the possibilities Of wharfa
for produce boats, the Harbor Comm
sioners thinking this might be impo
ant in reducing the high cost OF 1000