Evening journal., 1917-12-11

The future effect Of this action means
much for Wilmington as the largest city
midway between Baltimore and Philadel-
phia, and IN view Of the fact that the
Inland Waterway TO New York harbor
via the New Jersey Canal, from Borden
town 10 Raritan Bay, viii necessitate
vessels using the c. & ID. Canal, en- route
to New York, passing in front of this
City, making it a port Of call. At the
present time vessels 320 feet in length
with "a feet beam and o feet draft are
passing through the Chesapeake and
Delaware canal, but when the contem-
plated improvements are made larger
vessels, will be handled.
According to Government figures the
annual commerce of the Chesapeake and
Delaware Rivers, and their tributaries
proper, amounts TO over 100 million tons,
and 10000 boats OF small tonnage are
engaged in this business. IL is said that
this immense volume OF business is al
most equally divided between these two
great rivers. Between five and six thou
sand vessels are now annually passing
through the canal The l.. 5. Engineers
estimate that when the canal is deep
ened TO II feet an widened the annual
tonnage through this inland waterway
will be between two and three million
tons
With no facilities TO handle any Of
this business it is naturally passing in
front Of this city to and from Baltimore
and Philadelphia and my investigation
has developed the fact that freight con-
signed 20 Wilmington manufacturers
from Baltimore, and points beyond via
this canal, is compelled to 60 10 Phil
adelphia and be brought back to this
city, involving extra expense and delays
and loss of time which spells money.
have recently learned that new
freight steamship line is to be inaugu-
rated between Pawtucket, r. l. aud Bal
timOre using inland waterways. thus
connecting the great industrial sections
OF Rhode Island, Connecticut and Massa-
chusetts with this section. Correspon-
dence has been started with the pro-
motcrs of this new line, as well as with
other lines already established, 10 induce
them to consider Wilmington as a port
Of call when docks and terminals are
ready.
In past years the railway transpor.
tation lines of the country have not
looked with favor upon inland water
ways, regarding them as very serious
competitors for business Since the war
started there has been a very material
change in this attitude Of the railroads
, They now find themselves faced with
problems Of prompt and efficient hand
ling Of freight incident 10 the war. Mr..
Fairfax Harrison. President of the South
ern Ry. Co.; and Chairman OF the Rail
roads War Board" a subsidiary Of the
National Council Of Defense, recently
made the following statement.
"The railroads will welcome any prac-
ticable water transportation and are pre-
pared TO cooperate cordially with re-
sponsible persons OF corporations who
may provide such water transportation
by the exchange of traffic, the assurance
OF Joint through bills Of lading and il
necessary, where conditions justify IT,
by joining the water carriers in building
Of tracks to connect the railroads with
the wharves and landings of water car.
riers7
The Railroads War Board" has also
suggested n the L. s. Shipping Board
| the advisability of their building suit
able barges and boats for use on thes'
/ inland waterways In order 10 relieve thl
prailroad congestion.
With the construction OF deep wate
facilities on the Delaware at Wilmington
| there is every reason 20 believe a gool
business can be worked mp in connection
with these inland waterways to the grea
advantage OF the manufacturers an
business men OF this city, and thus pro
duce operating revenue for the city
docks and terminals.
WHAT OTHER CITIES HAVE DON
IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF MUM
CIPAL DOCKS AND TERMINALS
The following cities have constTucte
and are opera ting municipal docks an
terminals. The statistics arc obtaine
from L. S Government reports Of l9lf
a large proportion Of these Harbor De
velopments have been undertaken durinl
the last five years. Some Of them wer
only completed last year and some ar
| still in course of construction.
Atlantic Coast Group.
Boston. Mass. Newark. y. J.
/ New Bedford. Ma. Jersey city. y. !.
/ Providence r. 7. Pliladeiphia. IA.
| New York. y. y. Chester. Pa.
| Camden. y. J. Balumore. Nd
| Elizabeth. y. J. Jacksonville, Fla.
! Pcrth Amhoy. y. J.
Lakes Group.
| Chicago. Ill Bunalo. \. \.
| Cieyelaud. Ohio Superior, Wis.
Guf Group.
Montgomery. Ala. Port Arthur. Texas
/ Mobile. Ala. beaumont. Texas
] New orleans. L.. pensacoa. Fla.
uouston. Texas Portland Ore
san Diego. Cal. seattle. Wash.