Evening journal., 1919-11-18
PICKED WILMINGTON
FOR SHIP TERMINAL
But War Halted Intended
River-Front Improvement
For City
DELAWAREANS GET
WATERWAYS PLACES

why hasn't Wilmington developed
It's port facilities long agOY"
such was the pointed question asked
by number OF a group Of men as
semblcd on the deck OF the Steamship
Howard, OF the Merchants and Miners
line. as the vessel sailed up the river
past the mouth Of the Chrisliana yes
lerday afternoon bearing homeward
from Charleston. 5. C. delegates from
the Atlantic Deeper Waterways Associa-
tion convention. A heavy fog COM
PEELED the Howard 10 anchor or Deep
Water Point at o'clock yesterday
morning and she lay there until 10
O'Clock before proceeding TO Philadel-
phia
Prominent among those who put the
question about Wilm ngtons port were
former Congressman J. Hampton
Moore mayor-cleci OF Philadelphia,
and reelected president OF The Waler-
ways Association. George :. Webster,
director 0f Wh9rycs. docks and ferries
OF Philadelphia. and Frederick w Dom
nelly. mayor OF Trenton
Three OF the delegates 10 the con-
veniIon from the Chamber OF Conf
merce OF this city. Captain Peter
Bloomsbury, David A. Hay and William
+. Budd. who were In The group, heard
the question. but were forced 90 remain
silent under The circumstances, Ihat
"Vhy" doesn't down easily.
Then Director Webster, as the How
ard was steaming on up the river, let
ont a secret During the closing year
OF the war, he said. The United states
Government called upon him 20 select
the most suitable site for but ding a
railroad and shiptcrminal on the Della
ware river. below Phi adelphia. Traffic
at Philadelphia itself was becoming too
congested.
Director Webster made dilgent sur
vey Of the various suitable places along
the river and finally selected Whining
ton. lie also choose exactly the same
site as that which this city now has
purchased from the Lobdell's for its
piers and wharves.
IL made the recommendations to the
government" continued Director Web
ster. "Then The armisiice cut short the
governments activities.
Mayor Donnelly, Of Trenton. likewise
pointed out In his CHARACTERISTIC fash
ion. the advantages lost by Wilmington.
The Wilmington delegates reached
their homes last evening by train from
Philadelphia and today expressed them
selves as well repaid for the trip 10 the
south Carolina city. They said the
was greatly taken by the
booklets on the Wilmington harbOr dis
trlbuied among the delegates
Delaware also shared we'll in com
mliiee appointments. A. ID. Warner
president Of the Chamber OF Com
merce, was given a place on the COM
mitiee on resolutions; Mr.. Hay on the
committee on time and place for the
next convention: Captain Bloomsbury
on the committee on credentials. OF
which. Mr.. Budd was chairman, and
Mr. Budd was also named on the COM
mitiee on ways and means.
The next convention of the associa-
ton will De held at Atlantic City, and
the one in 1927 probably at Savannah,
Ga. Atlantic City is popular with the
DELEGATES ali the way from Maine 90
Florida. and Savannah is much liked be-
cause Of The splendid receptions It's peo-
pie have accorded the waterways men
whenever they have been In that city.
on their way 10 Charleston on the
present trip the delegates left the How
ard at Savannah and iourneyed 20
by train. While In Savannah
they were given an enthusiastic recep-
ton and shown over the city In motors. |
The association held It's 1913 convention !
in Savannah and the mayor and citi- |
zens Of the city have invited them to |
return in 1921.
Or. Hiram r. Burton was reelected |
rs yice-prcsident Of the association, !
Delaware, and former I
Governor Charles r.. Miller was re- /
chosen state delegate.