Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1921-03-08
WILMINGTON HAS
ADvAN TAGES OVER
OTHER COAST CITIES
These Were Pointed Out in a
Hearing on Terminal Project
Before Engineers.
INSPECTION OF THE SITE

The needs for an additional seaport
along the Atlantic coast. with its ma
tionaI as we'll rs local advantages, was
discussed yesterday afternoon al pub
lie hearing in Council chambers, when
8 committee, comprising the Board OF
Engineers for Rivers and Iiarbors from
washington. %. T.. heard arguments on
the proposed marine terminal project at
the mouth OF the Christiana river.
The development Of The Wilmington
harhor project was explained 70 the
group of government engineers by
members Of the Board Of Harbor Com
rnissioners. as well as many local busi-
ness men. representing prominent local
industrial interests.
Prior 10 the hearing. which was held
at ! o'clock. the members Of the board.
! in company with the War Department
representatives. spent Some time in in
| specting the site for the proposed port
/ project and learning Just what the
proposed Improvement included.
Colonel ]. C. sanford, VINO presided al
/ the meeting. in addressing the Harbor
/ Board. as well as the representatives OF
i the leading business interests OF Wil-
/ mington. asked w nat IS the impera-
! tive need for an additional seaport along
| the Atlantic sea coast;
/ Colonel Sanford explained that New
! York. Philadelphia and Baltimore were
! the three important seap0rts along the
! Atlantis coast and he asHed the value
/ Of such proposed improvements here
! from a national standpoint. He ex-
pressed his doubt as 10 the necessity OF
an extra port along the Atlantic coast
/ The advantages of such improvements
both III normal and abnormal times
were explained by those most interest
ed in the proposed improvements from
their point Of view.
Backed By Wilmington Business.
A. d Warner, Jr president Of the
| Chauber Of Commerce. who was called
uror by Col Sanford for his opinion
said that while he was not prepared tC
exDress himself in regard TO the value
~ the project to the government, not
being fully advised on the subject. he
could say that the 900 members Of the
| chamber Of Commerce, representing
NilfninRton's business life, We're solidiy
hack OF the project. ] can assure you.
said Mr Warner. that among tht
members Of the Chamber Of Commerce
the feeling is 100 per cent IN favor o.
IT,"
Renvesenta tlves of the Pennsylvania
PHILADELPHIA & Reading. and Baltimore
G ohio railroads were present DeClar
- tbe concerns which they repre-
sented were strongly in favor of tn
dsveIopUnent, they expressed their will
ipgness TO cooperate in any way Z
provide the best means OF handling ex
mort and import trade. The proposed
halt line of the three railroad system
WIS explained TO the War Department
reuresentatives and the Importance o
The proposed marine terminal Wa
brought out by explaining the congeste'
conditions u the t1ree other seaport
along the Atlantic coast
10 facilitate matters and ~ add +
the importance Of the proposed devel
npment Wilmington is not only cent
raIJv located bur is better equippe
III handle ingoing and outgoing trad
tha,, any Of the other three cities men
toned That the railroads will pla
an important part in the decision 4
the Government officials is not disputed
Former Mayor Horace Wilson. pres
ident Of the Wilson Line asserted tina
such improvements were by all mean
necessary at this particular point De
scribing the heavy ice flows in the Del
aware river in recent years and Of tn
inconyience to ocean steamers in reach
ing the Philadelphia harbOr. above Wi
mjngton. he advocated these improve
nents as a boom for both Wilmingto
and the nation.
Council Heartily For Project.
Councilman Charles Forwood repre-
senting City Council. explained tn
Ennfinnpd on mage