Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1921-03-08
WILMINGTON HAS
ADVANTAGES OVER
OTHER COAST CITIES
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action taken by City Council in It's
unanimous approval of tho work pro-
posed by the Harbor Board. Whining
ton has evidenced its own belief In
prosperous future for its harbor in tho
most practical manner possible by pro-
viding. through City Council. for bond
issue of S2.500. 900 as n first instalment
for the creation of a modern port. As
explained by Councilman Forwood. the
first expenditure under this appropria-
ton was for the purchase by the board
of a tract of land at the junction of the
Christiana and Delaware rivers upon
which TO construct the wharves. And
gentlemen" he continued. city Coun-
ell stands ready 70 back this great and
important movement by doing even
better. Wilmington as n whole wants
this harbor and City Council wants the
harbor and Council as a whole will
stand ready at any time TO back tho
Board Of Harbor Commissioners finan-
ciaiy or otherwise
Councilman James G. Mearns. claim
ed that Wilmington was 100 per cent In
favor of the now marine terminal. He
voiced his opinion on the great neces-
sity of such a port and just what II would
mean TO the city. Watch Wilmington
grow" said Mr.. Mearns. Past records
will show just what Wilmington had
done" At this juncture he likened his
home town TO a rooster spreading its
wings I'VE want 20 see Wilmington
spread herself. She can do it and will
do It. Not only does Wilmington need
n sea port, but the government needs IL
as well. We will stand ready at all
times 10 lend helping hand for the bet
terment OF the United States govern
ment."
Natural Advantages.
Charles Warner. a member OF the
Harbor Board pointed out that this city
Is not only closer TO the sea than Phil
adelphia. but is also the closest city TO
the sea on the Delaware. He explained
the present developed portion Of VIII
mington. while located on the Christlana
river, is but a short distance removed
from the Delaware river and that the
city possesses two miles OF water front
age on this great stream, one of the
principal arteries of commerce on the
Atlantic coast. Philadelphia, located APP
proximately 30 miles further upstream.
on the same channel but at point at
which al times IL is difficult of naviga-
ton on account Of ice, from which con-
ditions Wilmington is virtually free. has
esta blishcd itself as the second ranking
port in the United States. A harbor
here he said. would relieve the conges-
ton not only in Philadelphia, but in
New York and Baltimore as well.
Mr.. Warner was asked by the pre-
siding officer to describe the location OF
Wilmington and Of any asset which
the proposed port might prove 70 the
government II was explained by Mr..
Warner that Baltimore was 10 miles
south OF Wilmington by land and
located at the head OF navigation OF a
minor stream flowing into the Chesa-
peake Bay, nearly $50 miles from Its
entrance and much further removed
from the trade routes across the At
lantic than Wilmington. though IL is
claimed 10 be one CT the leading sea
ports Of the country.
The water distance from Wilmington
TO all ports. said Mr.. Warner. coastwise
and foreign. is 80 miles less than from
Philadelphia. and also to all European,
Mediterranean and East Indian ports.
It is approximately $50 miles less than
from Baltimore. this latter distance be
ing equivalent TO two full days Of sail
Ing time from each round trip OF the
average tramp or freight steamer re-
sorting to these ports. Mr.. Warner
showed the advantage OF the three
great trunk lines Of railroad. They
enter the port Of Philadelphia and also
serve Wilmington. And Wilmington" I"
said Mr.. Warner. is the nearest point
to the open sea on the Delaware. at
which these three lines approach the
river shores"
II WAS pointed out that n this respect
Wilmington is IN 8 preferred position
over Baltimore, inasruch only two
trunk lines Of railroad possesses terni-
nal facilities az the latter point. The
same tributary country from which the
freight passing through the ports OF
Philadelphia and Baltimore and served
by three railroad lines. is accessible 70
Wilmington, and under the same gen
ersl conditions and terms and the con-
gested lanes OF travel are avoided
Others who attended the hearing and