Middletown transcript., 1920-03-13
The D. & c. CANAL
Hope Government will Protect
Land With Sea Wall o!

Hope Government Will Protect
Land With Sea Wall at
HIGHWAY FROM n. Y. TO BALT
DELAWARE CITY, DEL, MARCH g.
Action by Congress authorizing gov
eminent engineers to proceed with the
improvement of the Delaware and
Chesapeake Canal alone is holding back
the work. While no definite informa-
ton has been received here that such
action will be taken Immediately, it is
believed in engineering circles that au-
thority will be given in time to start
work with the opening of spring.
Practically the largest part of the
preliminary survey for widening and
deepening the canal is completed. In
some of the lower stretches the survey
will require short time longer.
Locally and throughout the entire
canal zone alert interest is manifest
ed. It is understood that when started
the work will mean steady employment
for hundreds of men at least two years.
In addition 1t is realized that the assem-
bling of the construction force will re-
create conditions resembling those dur
ing the war.
FARMERS WANT LAND RECLAIMED
In connection with the canal develop
ment efforts will be made to have the
government repair the retaining walls
along the bay shore between New Cas-
tie and Lewes. Throughout a section
some three miles long these walls be-
low New Castle have been in a wrecked
condition for months. Today great
areas of the country adjacent to the
bay is partially flooded. Each high tide
brings flood. Meadows and fields,
whose fertility has already practically
been destroyed by the salt sea. Spring
thaws, together with the tides, make
certain that many railroads and trolley
lines will be out of commission, j, is
said.
LONG COASTWISE DRIVE HOPED FOR
New interest in improvements in this
section IS excited by the probability
that plan long cherished by hundreds
of residents of eastern Delaware will
be realized this summer. 1t would
mean a coastline driveway from Balti-
more to New York, with its Delaware
terminal at Lewes, and its New Jersey
terminal at Cape May. The proposed
plan calls for operation of ferry be-
tween Lewes and Cape May for the use
of motorists. A bill presented in the
New Jersey Legislature would establish
such ferry, and it is expected similar
authority may be granted by Delaware.
The advantages of seaboard drive
way between New York and other
northern points and Baltimore, Wash
ington and the south Atlantic seashore
cities has made wide appeal. 1t will
mean cutting out long and expensive
detour now necessary between New
York and Baltimore by way of Trenton.
Philadelphia and Wilmington, shorten
ing the run by hundreds of miles and at
the same time the development of
number of smaller places along the pro-
posed route. Practically all { of the
roadways which will be used in Della
ware are in first class condition. The
same may be said of the Maryland
stretches. The New Jersey highways
are considered among the best in the
East. 1t not only remains. therefore,
for those advocating the new route to
secure the ferry link between Lewes
and Cape May to insure heavy motor
traffic for eastern Delaware.
Canal development is causing scores
of men, who each year at this time
drift away to work in other localities,
to remain at home. There will be no
labor shortage to hold up the work once
it is actually started. it is said. This,
with the possibility that extensive work
will be necessary in linking up of the
delaware and New Jersey highways
along the seashore, makes everyone
feel that boom period is coming.
1t is generally believed that NO opposia
ton will develop in the United States
Senate to the plan to 60 ahead with the
canal work regardless of the fact that
the actusi cost of the development will
be more than 40 per cent. higher than
tbs estimated cost. The feeling is that
the longer the work is delayed the
greater will be rhe cost.
Everybody is ready to ''dig in" as
soon as word comes from Washington.
According to estimates made by the
government engineers. it will be at least
two years before the heavy preliminary
work can be completed. How long it
will take to put the finishing touches to
the job those connected with the work
are disinclined to predict.
We wonder if you know the
Bon-Ton Hat Shop is now open.
The early Spring Collection is quite
complete. Come and see them.