Evening journal., 1917-01-25
SMYRNA RIVER AND REHOBOTH
CANAL PROJECTS ARE RETAINED

Congressman Miller made strenu-
ous fight to have the Smyrna River
and the Lewes and Rehoboth Canal
projects retained in the rivers ana
harbors bill before the House az
washington this week, and won his
point despite the attempt Of Con-
eressman Frear, Of Wisconsin, 70
have those projects cut out.
During the debate over the plan 70
ntrairhten and deepen Smyrna River,
ronrressman Moore. OF Pennsylvania,
assorted that some Philadelphlans
are waiting to start a boat line be-
tween Smyrna and Philadelphia as
soon as the river is improved.
Answering the attack Of Congress-
man Frear, on the Lewes and Reno
both Canal project, Congressman
Miller said:
Last week the project was com
plefed. and the first cargo TO go
through the canal was carried would
cali the gentleman's attention to the
fact that $4,000 tons carried in 1915
was while the canal was In process
of construction. But it was not com
pieted"
materialf"
Mr. Miller. OF Delaware. NO; Il
was not Government material. It was
freight going down 20 Lewes, which
ie at one end OF the canal"
Mr. Frear. There we're no steam
ers on this stream, according TO the
report. but eleven power boats. This
information was furnished by inter
ested parties. Il Is a 6-foot canal, TO
cost S156. 900. About one-half is com
pieted. and S65,000 in on hand, ana at
this time. in the present condition OF
me Government finances, IL seems 70
me It is unnecessary TO appropriate
the additional $4,000"
Mr.. Miller. "Nr. Chairman, do not
Hike 20 take the time OF the commit
tee. but ! smypathize with the gentle
man from Wisconsin (AIr. Frearl in
good many points he has raised
The Chairman. Does the gentle
man from Delaware yield TO the gen.
titmsn from FloridaT'
Mr.. Miller. mo cannot yield TO
the gentleman az this time. I would
not like 10 be discourteous. II have
time I will come back. feel, as long
a. the gentleman from Wisconsin is
directing his remarks to certain Of
fheee matters, that II is my duty TO
present the other side. especially az
have taken the trouble TO 90 over
these streams. every one Of them, not
oulv once. but several times.
"The last project for which he has
moved to strike out the appropriation
Is one that was adopted about twenty
wears ago. The total appropriation
called for $3.50. 900. AS he says. 1882 =
300 has already been appropriated,
and this bill carries an appropriation
of S5O.000 making a total Of $2S2,OO0.
III his amendment is carried the pro-
iect will not be completed. The money
that has been spent will be absolutely
wasted II ] wanted to take the time
of the House I could demonstrate TO
the members very clearly the condi-
ton from tho standpoint OF one who
has heen over this ground thoroughly
that IL would be not only a waste 81
the S1S2.OO0 already appropriated, bu
ii would be an absolute dropping OF
project that has every reason to b'
Included IN this bill from the stand
point Of merit The country through
which this canal goes Is a very sandy
country. Many points are too faI
away from rdllfodu loI ecohohiCn'
hauling The canal connects an Is
land bav with Delaware Bay, and as
! called attention TO the fact few mo-
ments ago. the project was not COM
nleted last year, but nevertheless over
h was carried total value Of agri-
cultural products amounting to S2OS.-
600.
Il submit that when that tonnage.
70 the value just indicated, is carried
over II IN a year in which Il Ia not
completed, II augurs well for the
proper use OF that project when Il is
completed. Il was only last week. az
said. that tho first cargo went
through from one end OF the canal %
the other. The total amount OF eN.
peuditure will be only $2S2,OOo, and
fhe maintenance will not be expen-
sive.