Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1922-05-18
DIR. LAYTON
PLEADS FOR
CITY HARBOR
CONTINUED From First Page)

velopment OF the port of Whining
ton. Del. This is the one large city
of the State of Delaware, and around
It is comprised. largely. all the in
dustrial activity of the State.
The City of Wilmington was set
tied in 1888 by the Swedes, and is
one of the oldest American cities
on the Atlantic sea coast. AT one
time in its history. imports and ex-
ports comprised its largest and most
important item OF industry. Later
In the history of the city, industrial
ism. developed 10 the obscuring OF
her former activities in this direc-
ton. Today the activities of this
city are varied and large. Her
leather industry has an invested cap
ital OF nearly S35.0OO.O00; iron and
steel Of $13.5OO,0OO; gas nearly S.
600. 900; pulp goods s6.5OO.O0O;
foundry and machine products S4,-
100000; and the canning and pre-
serving industry OF fruits and vege-
tables OF more than S4.5OO.00. The
annual value of all manufacturing
products amounts to over S121.OOO,-
600. with an added value OF $50, 0OO,-
600 for finished products. The
number OF her manufacturing es-
Establishments is 262; the average
number of wage employees employ
ed therein nearly 21.500.
ITO show the varied character OF
her local industries. l will mention
railroad cars; car wheels; iron, steel.
and brass casting; wooden, and
steel ships; plate, and sheet steel;
machine tools; boilers, engines. and
specialized machinery; vulcanized
fibre; paper; wood pulp; cotton
goods and other textiles; leather;
especially glazed kid. which latter
is practically centralized within her
limits; and explosives. The city lies
within a mile Of the Delaware River
at the head OF Delaware Bay. but
has depended. up to this time. for
water transportation upon what is
known as the Christiana River,
small stream that runs in from the
Delaware River up into the interior
about twelve miles.
wilmington has outgrown the
facilities afforded by the Christiana
river. II desires to extend to the
Delaware river. where a depth OF
water and an amplitude of space Is
found TO satisfy all the requirements
Of her future large development. I
With this end in view. the city has
bonded itself for 100000 for the |
purpose of constructing near the |
Delaware river, at the mouth of the |
wharves. docks. piers, !
Il sa.asa af.ssra lie
Those who have this projected i'm |
in hand have visited the
ports upon the Atlantic
seacoast, with view of obtaining a
knowledge of the latest improve
ments in all matters concerning
dockage, and the most expeditions
means of loading and unloading
freight.
Having resolved to embark upon |
his enterprise. the city determined |
10 have the best. There are three |
great trunk line railroad systems
hat pass through the city, thus az /
sording ample facilities for making I
he mort both a fine export, as well /
IS an import point These three |
systems have already en-
cred into an agreement TO extend
heir tracks to the wharves when
For the purpose of i'm
ports and exports, this projected i'm
when complete, Will FUR
lish water opportunity greater than
hat of any other port upon the
delaware river, for It will be in
proximity 10 one Of the largest pop
,lations in the United States, as well
,s omen TO an industrialism unsur-
,assed by any river in the country.
Il not only regard this contem-
Hated Improvement as being Of
,reat benefit TO the State which
.epresent. but I consider It Will be
If national benefit, by affording new
ABILITIES for trade and commerce at
point most advantageously situated
mon the Atlantic seaboard.
at is not necessary for me to call
he attention OF the members of this
louise to the fact that the govern
nent has already taken over the
and Delaware canal
With an immediate view OF connect
NC with each other these two we'll
.nown bodies of water. the Chesa-
,eake bay and the Delaware bay,
or strategic and defense purposes
n time OF war. and which. when
will bring the great
tiles OF Baltimore. Wilmington,
hester and Philadelphia. into a
lose economic. industrial and COM
nerciai union in times both OF war {
nd OF peace. -
gentlemen OF the House. the {
Harbor project has been q
approved by the Board OF En- I
.ineers OF tho Federal Government. 7
t is regarded by them as not only S
feasible project. but most valu- {
bile one. Accordingly. the state $
Yhose interests l represent Is ask s
ng you to approve tho project, and I
onfidently expect your support be- a
ause of the fact that the money {
hat the State of Delaware pays into I
he Federal Treasury for the bene- {
L of the nation. and for the benefit a
{ other States in matters separate !
= considered, entities the State to r
his measure of justice, especially r
-hen the taxes levied and collected u
rom her resources, and distributed !
or federal purposes, come back TO u
er in a portion far less than she Il
ontributes to any national welfare a
reject" =
nfair TO Railroads !, y
Before taking up his consideration Il
{ the wilmington harbor project. r
ongressman Layton said, in dis Il
issing the bill framed by the COM Il
ittee:
THE animating thought of the 81
,mmittee was economy-to resolve d
cut out every project that. after Il