Evening journal., 1917-12-15
Captain DavennY Discusses
Harbor and Waterways Needs


"The matter Of the development and
use Of American waterways has GER
.alnly ceased to be a subject demand
ng academic discussion. It has passed
n recent months from the realm OF
argument to that Of demonstration,
and unless the unremitting peace-time
requirements Of agriculture, industry
and commerce, as also the vital trans
portation needs OF wartime are to be
'atefully neglected American railroads
must be supplemented by the auto
truck on improved highways and en-
larged commerce on available channels
eor water-borne trafflc."
The sentiments quoted were ex-
pressed to a representative Of THE
EVENING JOURNAL at Hotel dupont
Yesterday by Captain Wilson /.
navenny. field secretary Of the National
Rivers and Harbors Consress, with
headquarters 10 Washington, who has
been spending a few days in Whining
ton in the interest Of that organiza-
lion. Captain Davenny has represented
the Congress for the past 1--WE years.
and In that relation has addressed
civic and commercial bodies. along the
Pacific Coast around the Gulf; in the
principal port cities on the Atlantic
Seaboard and generally throughout the
country. He has Travelled more than
nfty thousand miles along the rivers
and around the harbors of the country
as student Of water transportation.
1T is already evident" said Captain
Dayenny, that those who have lab
ured so zealously in behalf Of the in
tra-coastal waterway, intended uti-
mately TO connect Boston with the in
land water channels Of Florida, were
promoting not only an immensely valu-
able channel for commerce but a pro-
lect of tremendous defensive value.
And since this city is at the very heart
OF the vital area of the whole Allan
tic Seaboard ii is not strange that the
acquisition and development Of the
Chesapeake and Delaware Canal should
be regarded as Of deep interest to the
citizens Of Wilmington and Of Della
ware That the consummation Of this
project has been so long delayed is now
deeply TO be deplored II IS therefore
fortunate for the peninsular State and
such industrial centers as Wilmington
that the Commonwealth Is now repre-
scented in the upper branch Of the Fed
eral Congress by such a tireless cham
pion of the Chesapeake and Delaware
project as Senator Salisbury. His IL
Illuminating and Impressive discussions
Of this vital link In the proposed in
land waterway along the coast cannot
fail to advance the matter by spread
ing and deepening the general convic-
tion in Congress that longer neglect Of
the matter by the National Govern
ment is little short Of a crime against
legitimate industry and commerce, as
also continued menace 10 National
safety
"Omittlng discussion at this time OF
The acknowledged defensive Importance
Of a ship channel. safe from the
storms on the outside course and re-
moved from easy attack by enemy
fleets, It is enough TO urge the vital
need for safe and uninterrupted move
ment Of commercial craft The terri
Die toll OF lives Of coastNNise seamen
and the tremendous money loss,
chargeabe TO the delay in providing
the inland route, alone should Justify
the prompt response by the National
Government 10 this demand for an in
land waterway Abundant proof was
afforded in the disasters Of a single day
carrying cOast-yNise craft breasting the
storm between Boston and Norfolk
went down In the graveyard Of the At
.antic carrying their burden Of fated
seamen TO a death for which a neg
lectful Government is responsible.
"Of course the matter Of most inn
mediate present interest to the people
Of WimingtOn Is the projected harbor
planning, upon which Mr. II. II. Rich
ardson has just made comprehensive
and Informative report that would
seem to argue strongly that the time
has come for this prosperous and pro-
gressive community to take fun adj
vantage OF the provision Of the Swed-
ish settlers who fixed the location Of
Wilmington on Christiana Greek and
the Delaware River Il Is. not my prov
ince 10 inject myself into a discussion
that must be finally settled by the pre-
ponderant sentiment of the citizens Of
Wilmington. It is my privilege. how
ever. to cite the fact that harbor con-
gestion in ports TO the nOrthward on
the Atlantic Coast and the laudable
hope for an expanded American COM
merce at the close Of the great War,
suggest The urgent need for the deve-
lopment Of such natural opportunities
as lie at the door Of this growing in
dustrial community. The more imme-
diate and selfish consideration that
might argue that the psycholog cal
time is at hand Cor carrying out such
a horbor project is found in the
promise of greater industrial develop
ment in Wilmington. Besides, and
wo.thy of consideration, is the eco
nomic side Of the matter as it may ap-
peal 60 the Industrial interests already
estaOlished--the saving in transporta-
tion charges upon raw materials and
the greater certainty and expedition
10 be secured in the shipment Of
fabricated articles, at lower freight
rates that would give added advantage
In competition with other Industrial
communities and certainly widen the
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