Smyrna times., 1917-06-20
HOPE STRONGER FOR THE
PURCHASE OF D, & {. CANAL
MEASURE APPARENTLY HAS LESS
OPPOSITION THAN HERETOFORE
SMYRNA River and Other Streams
Down for $4,000 for Maintain
ance-GovernmentP Pier for Lewes

House of Representatives is receiving
more support in this session of Con
gress than its foes thought it would |
have. The proposed Legislation for
improving the rivers and harbors of |
the country is in line with that sug-
gested at previous sessions of Con-
gress, but owing to the cries of |
"pork" from Representatives and
senators from interior states it was
usually defeated and lump sum ap-
preparation generally made
The proposed bill carries many
thousands of dollars for improving
waterways in and adjacant to the
State of Delaware, the most notable
provision being that for purchasing
the Chesapeake and Delaware Canal.
The bill as reported by the House
Committee contains what is known as
the Salisbury amendment, because it
is the amendment proposed by the
senior Senator from Delaware at the
last session of the Sixty-Fourth Con-
gress, and was lost when the entire
bill failed of passage. Owing to the
value of this canal for the transporta-
tion of troops, munitions. etc., inland
with out being subject to attack from
the enemy on the Atlantic Coast those
who opposed this legislation in pre-
vious congresses have had a change
of heart, and its adoption is forecast.
Congressman Albert E. Polk, of
Delaware will make his maiden speech
in the House in support of this legis-
lation, and as Mr.. Polk is giving
much consideration to the remarks he
proposes to make, it is expected that
his arguments will receive much con
sidertiaon. Representative Polk will
address the House when the bill comes
up for discussion under the five min
ute rule which will be in few days.
The Chesapeake and Delaware Canal
provision is as follows:
Improving inland waterway from
Delaware River to Chesapeake Bay,
Delaware and Maryland in accordance
with the project recommended by
the Chief of Engineers in paragraph
three of his report, dated August g.,
1918, as published in House Docu-
ment No. 196, Sixty third Congress.
first session: The Secretary of War
is hereby authorized to enter into me-
gotiations for the purchase of the ex-
listing Chesapeake ans Delaware Canal,
and all the property, rights of pro-
perty, franchises, and appurtenances
used or acquired for use in connection
Herewith or appertaining thereto
and he is further authorized, if in his
judgment the price is reasonable anc
satisfactory, to make contract fol
the puchase of the same, subject tC
future ratification and appropriation
by Congress. In the event of the
inability of the Secretary of War t.
make a satisfactory contract for the
voluntary purchase of said canal ant
ist appurtenances, he is hereby au
thorized and directed through the At
torney General to institute and tC
carry to completion proceedings 70
the condemnation of the said cana
and its appurtenances, the acceptance
of the award in said proceedings t
be subject to future ratification an
appropriation by Congress. Sue
condemnation proceedings shall b
instituted and conducted in. and juris
, diction of said proceedings is hereb,
given to, the District Court of tn
United States for the District of Del
aware substantially as provided j
"An act to authorize condemnation Q
land for sites for public buildings
and for other purposes, approve
Ausgut 1, 1888, and the sum o
$5, 600 is hereby appropriated to pa
the necessary costs therby and eX
penses in connection Herewith.
Other appropriations in the Stat
of Delaware provided for in the bi
now being discussed in the Hous
are -
Delaware River, Pennsylvania
New Jersey, and Delaware: Continu
ing improvement and for maintenanC
from Allegheny Avenue, Philadelphia
to the sea, 81, $40, 900.
Wilmington Harbor, For maintel
an"e, $50,000.
Appoquinimink, Smyrna, Leipsi
Little, Saint Jones, Murdsrkill, Mi
pillion, and Broadkill Rivers; f
maintenance, $3O. 900.
| Government iron pier in Delawa
l Bay near Lewes: For maintenan
and repair in accordance with the I
- porte submitted in House Docume
No. 1859, Sixty-fourth Congress
first session, $68, 600.
Waterway between Rehoboth B
81 and Delaware Bay; Continuing il
IL provement and for maintenanr
II $50, 600.
II Waterway from Chincoteague Bs
&Il W. 20 naIauora Raw af or r,aar oxry.