Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial. (Wilmington, Del.) 1878-1928, 1920-02-02
Circulation Every 1904
Evening Saturday i OOO4
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 1920.


The plans of the Chamber of Cor
mercc for the year 1920. as set forth
the reports of the president and secretal
at the annual meeting, held this weel
are of far-rcsehing Importance. If ca
ried out, or prosecuted successfully as ia
as possible during the year, the result
will add materially to the progress an
Importance of the city.
To the contamination of the harbo
project, now 50 encouragingiy undo
way, the Chamber of Commerce will ex
tend its most capable cooperation. Tn
plans under consideration are elaborate
and comprehensive, and that great result'
viii attend their practical completion Ii
not doubted. Long has this project beer
talked about, but at last it is in a shape
that promises naturalization from the
dreams of the past to the accomplish
ments of the future.
The Chamber of Commerce also pro-
poses to do all in its power TO promote the
erection of dwellings in Wilmington TO an
amount sufficient TO solve the housing
problem that SO long has vexed our people
and proved an interference with the sue
cessful prosecution of our manufacturing
Industries.
Another matter of Importance to which
the Chamber, of Commerce proposes to
give practical attention during the year
is the erection of at least one loft building,
and enough warehouses to accommodate
the increasing demand for storage accom-
modations. 1t is fact that our city has
lost several important industries during
the past few years by reason of not hay-
ing a loft building where small manu-
featuring concerns could have room and
facilities. 1t is expected such building
would demonstrate its practical useful
ness from the first, and prove a source of
prefit as well as a valuable business ia
cility.
The chamber also proposes to do what
ever may be possible to forward the
project of convention hall for Viii
mington. Such building has long
been needed. The city has no place for
the complete accommodation of large
satherings-political meetings, conven-
tons, musical entertainments on q large
scale and other events that attract unsuual |
Many affairs would be |
drawn to our city by such a building,
and there is reason 10 believe the year will |
witness the consummation of this project |
In civic affairs the Chamber Of Com !
merce proposes TO take an ACTIVE part II |
vii urge the establishment of paid Fire
Department in Wilmington, something
the city is pressingly III need Of While
Dur department is as effective as volun-
Ter department possibly can be, the need
If the reorganization of our firemen into
! body of trained and disciplined fire.
lighters, to devote their time exclusively
% this important adjunct of municipal
administration, has long been apparent.
In this line, also, the efforts of the
Chamber of Commerce viii be directed
owards securing new city charter, and
is hoped special attention will be paid i
o this important matter We can con-
eve of no better suggestion than that the
;hamber OF Commerce appoint COM !
,ittee of members interested in this SUBJ
ect to take the entire matter into con- I
Iteration, and formulate complete new 1
barter measure, for submission to the full c
ody. No time should be lost in carrying {
n this important project. The commit f
e should be appointed soon, so that it Ii
'u.d complete its work for submission to a
ne full body IN time to allow of ample t
before the assembling of
le Legislature, in January next, by which
me 1T should be ready for submission. S
Iso, active members Of the various 81
'Itical bodies should be given place on | y
e charter committee, In order that the | v
easure as finally prepared should be one fir
at would not invite the active hos
ity OF the politicians This was the
urse pursued by the old Board of Health. in
airs ago, and the result was an admirable e.
arter measure, which, however, most m
fortunately was allowed to sleep and st
immediately after being introduced W
the Legislature. There is no telling
" much evil has fallen upon the city
reason OF the failure to enact this ce
ictical and promising charter measure. til
Also, the Chamber of Commerce will dc
c support to the Delaware State pro- 10
IN, which already has demonstrated its ia
'sibilities for usefulness and has shown be
at 1t would be capable of with full de-
And a determined effort viii
made to have the old Baltimore d Ohio pa
liroad bridge across the Brandywine ye
ned 20 general traffic. lu
fere Is an ambitious and promising
torn for the year 1920 for our Cham u,e
OF Commerce. Let US hope that after &c