Evening journal., 1920-02-18
FAIL TO Agree
ON HARBORLI
Commissioners Hold Public
Conference Wfh United
States Engineers
ANOTHER MEETING
WILL BE ARRANGED

No definite bulkhead lines for Will
mington's proposed harbor were set at
Joint hearing OF u. s. Engineering OH
GERS and the Wilmington Board Of Har-
Dor Commissioners in Room 373. pub
lie Building this morning. The hear
ing was open TO the pubic, and he
discussion on various proposed pier and
bulkhead lines lasted from 10 until
after ~ o'clock. II was decided to
have another public hearing in about
ten days, but a definite date was not
fixed.
At he hearing this morning Colonel
w. B. Ladue. Of the Philadelphia Office
Of the L. = Engineering Department
presided, with Colonel j. p. Jervey
acting in behalf Of the local u. S. En-
glneers' Office.
Members OF the Wilmington Harbor
Board. President Willard Speakman,
Joseph Bancroft and Charles Warner
were also present together with The
secretary OF the Harbor BOard, Charles
II. Cant.
Private property owners present in
cluded w. F. Sellers, representing the
Cherry Island Marsh Company; Martin
y. Smith, Of the Christiana Products
Company. and G. II McGovern.
Discussion at first centered upon the
line to be adopted for the mouth OF the
Christiana river, and the suggestion OF
John Meigs, consulting engineer for the
Harbor Board, that the stream have a
minimum width Of 1000 feet for some
distance from its mouth met with no
opposition from the United states en-
gineers.
However the problem OF locating the
bulkhead line in the Delaware river
south Of the mouth OF the Christiana
was not so easily settled. A line was
proposed by Colonel Ladue which
would nearly eliminate the Delaware
river pier as now planned by Mr.. Meigs
office. Mr.. Meigs proposed another plan
which did not meet with the approval
Of the government engineers, II being
so far out into the channel according
10 Colonel Ladue, that the free move
mcnt Of the tidal waters Of the stream
would be interferod with, tending TO
cause a change in the tide levels in the
Delaware river above Wilmington. and
also having a tendency TO Interfere with
the maintenance OF the present govern
ment maintained IS foot Delaware river
channel.
10 was stated by Colonel Ladue that
already the distance between Pigeon
Point and Deepwater Point was small
in comparison with the average width
1f the river in this vicinity, mad that
the line proposed by the Harbor Board
would tend to aggreyate the condl-
enH h.r "a s.F h.
river.
Il was then attempted TO arrange a
compromise. but IL was finally seen
that further study OF the problem on
the part Of the both parties might be
advantageous for the proper settle
ment Of the problem.
President Speakman, OF the Harbor
Board. said
Gentlemen: l think that this is
matter not TO be considered with haste,
but deliberately, carefully reviewing
every angle Of the situation. / there
fore propose that we meet at some
early date. and further consider tho
problem"
After some discussion. this plan was
finally adopted. The date for the next
meeting has not been set, but Il will
take place about March T. VIII u IS
hoped that a final settlement OF the
harbOr lines will be effected.
Prior 10 this meeting the Board OF
HarbOr Commissioners will confsr tO-I
geiher and with Engineer Mr.. Meigs.
The best Of feeling prevailed at the
hearing, both parties being appar ntly
willing TO do anything in reason to
bring about an agreement. At one point
Colonel Jervey said:
Colonel Ladue, are you ready 70 sus-
gest t.nlative llne?" Colonel Ladue
did suggest a line, but 10 brought forth
objections from the llarhQr Board, as
10 encr0ached far up upon the recently
acquired Lobdell tract II Is strongly
probable that a compromise line VIII (
lie adopt-d at the next public hearing. /
DrCoxFRc CTOI IN TEAM