Evening journal., 1920-01-03
Chamber of Commerce Calls
on Representative Layton
for Government Aid
TO INVITE CONGRESS
PARTY HERE IN SPRING

Active Steps nave Dcen taken Dy the
Chamber Of Commerce, working In con-
junction with the Board OF Harbor
Commissioners, for adequate provision
by Congress looking 10 the Improve
ment OF the entrance 20 The Whining
ton harbor and the lower portion OF
the Christana. The Improvements de-
sired are In line with The general plans
FOR development Of the Lobdell tract
and construction OF piers, sips,
wharves and warehouses, at The mouth
OF The Chrisilana.
The following letter has been sent 10
Congressman Caleb H. Layton, OF Della
ware by William r. Budd, secretary Of
the Chamber OF Commerce:
Referring further 10 your letters OF
Decemb r 4 and IS. and 10 ours Of De
cember 70. 1919 relative 10 Wilmington
Harhor and the projected development
az the confluence OF the Chrlstlana and
Delaware Rivers we have been request
cd by the Board Of Harhor Commission
ers 20 request that, IN The preparation
OF The new River and Harbor Bill, the
following be inserted:
"The Secretary Of War Is hereby
authorized and directed 20 cause
preliminary examinations and sur
veys TO be made at the following
named localities. and "a sufficient
sum 10 pay the costs thereof may
be allotted from the amount pro-
Yided in this section
Wilmington Ilarbor. Delaware
With a view 10 obtaining an en-
trance channel OF increased
breadth and depth and turn
ing basin OF the same depth as
ihe entrance channel below the
bridge Of the ShellpOt branch OF the
Pennsylvania railroad
I'VE believe that % VIII be better 90
hhaye ih. authorization c0uched In gen
eral terms rather than 10 restrict the
eynm'nat'on 60 a definite width and
depth Of channel and turning basin.
This general authorization viii thus
D rmlt the examination TO be adapted
20 the plan finally approved by The city
for is terminal at the mouth Of the
Christ ana river
1T Is our understanding that an ap-
preparation is already or VIII be avail
able FOR This purpose and that this au-
thOrizatiOn directs that such funds as
are necessary for this work be allotted
for this harbor."
eve trust that you win be able 70
have this authorization inserted In the
bin as above requesed.
Following a meeting on December
29ih between the Board OF Harbor Com
misslouers and their Board OF Consult
ing Engineers 10 was dec ded that the
above Will cover all that they are In a
position 10 request Of the River and
Harbor Committee hence Il viii be tln-
necessary 10 ask that the committee
come TO Wilmington at this line The
eng 'neers are 1us'ly engaged upon fnal.
deailcd p'ars OF the project and with
the cooperation OF the Government En-
gincers as provided for In this authori-
zltiOn. they Will be able 20 get the
work under way without delay
Trusting that you will have no
trouble In securing the above inserted
IN the BIl. we remain, with the com
plimen,s Of the season
There has been some talk OF having
The members OF the Rivers and Harbors
o. Congress visit Whining
ton and view the proposed harbor I'M
IIWNfIlNNMNNs 10 AlMn NNN NNNNA NttN''fH+tN
advisable. however by the Chamber Of
Commerce or lhe Board OF Ha'bor Com
mlssioners. 10 have the Congressman
make their visit until Spring At pres
cnt there would be little FOR The v.si-
tors 90 see and The weather Is unlikely
10 b. propitl0us for a day on the Chris
ilana fats or on the river Moreover,
it Is desired 10 have the technical ad-
visory committee Of the Harbor Com
mission complete some OF its work so
hat fun anJ adequate presentation OF.
The entire harbor project can be laid be-
'or tho congressman when they come 10
This city.
ihs connection lt has been sug-
rested by Colonel J. p Jervey. United
states Engineer for the Wilmington
district, that The visiting Congressional
party shouli be taken through the
Chesapeake and Delaware Canal In adj
dIt,on 10 bling shown over the harbor
so they may obtain complete idea OF
the two projects and their importance
90 Wilmington and the State as a whole.