Evening star., 1919-03-27
Invite Merchants to Aid.

Inc MerchantS' and Manufacturers
Association of Washington was not
| represented yesterday because it was
the original plan to discuss only boat
service and river improvement One
of the confereeS suggested that the
two cities might also work together
| in developing commerce and the sug-
! gestion was adopted The conferees
then decided to invite the Merchants
| Association to take part in all future
meetings.
| p. T. Moran opened the conference
| as temporary chairman until Robert
l.. Payne, former president of the
| Alexandria chamber was elected per-
manent chairman. A E. Seymour, sec
rectary of the local chamber. was cho-
sen secretary of the conference.
! Mr.. Payne brought to the meeting
| the schedules of all boat lines oper-
ating on the Potomac. The schedule
/ showed that more boats are operated
! from Baltimore to river landings than
| from Washington to these landings
! That is one reason, Mr.. Payne point
| ed out. why market prices are lower
| in Baltimore than in Washington.
Residents of the river landings be-
| tween Washington and Baltimore ship
| their goods to the Monumental city,
MIR. Payne said, because they are sure
| ot theif boat service 20 mat point.
The conferees discussed the possi-
bility of having the channel of the
!
depth of twenty-four feet to twenty
eight feet, and doubling it's width to
| about 400 feet.
Says Project Is Practicable.
Capt. William f. Luckett, pilot of
navy yard yacnt winch mas been
. plying the Potomac for many years,
| told the committee that deepening
| the channel from twenty-four to
fWenfy-pjpht no
paratively cheap and easy project.
| capt. Luckett urged deepening of
the channel as military measure to
permit ships to come up to the Wash
ing of guns back and forth from the
navy yard to New York is all right in
time of peace, but would result in
much delay in time of war; he argued
i He also pointed to the marine camp
and Quantico and expressed the be-
lief that both the SecretarieA of War
and Navy would help get the channel
deepened if the advisability of the
project is pointed out to them.
To Interest Waterways Congress.
Frank P. Leetch, member of the
| Board of Trade committee, recon-
mended that the conferees enlist the
aid OF the national rivers and harborS
congress.
On recommendation of p r. Moran
the same subcommittee which takes
up the deepening of the channel also
will seek to have the harbors and
shore approaches to Alexandria and
| WashiE gton improved.
On the question of cooperation be-
tween Alexandria and Washington in
Infringing manufacturing interests to
this section, Mr.. Payne said the two
cities could appropriately join hands
in this movement.
only seven miles separate u.s." he
said, and with a ten-minute car serv-
| ice the two towns are closely linked
| together Any industry which locat,s
/ in the stretch between here and Alex
andria is bound to benefit both COM
munities.
I'VE are proud to point out our near
| ness to the National Capital in seek
ing our industries. and we are equally
glad to hear of Washington securing
d new enterprise"
! Arthur j. May, chairman of the riv-
| ers and harbors committee of the
| Board of Trade, headed his organiza-
tons delegation at the conference.