Smyrna times., 1923-03-28
LEwES-CAPE MAY FERRY LINE
Bill Providing Money To Build Wharf
At Delaware End Now a Law
Big Benefit To Delaware

$780, 900 for the use of the State High
way Department for the construction
of a wharf at Lewes which dock will
be the Delaware end of the Lewes-
Cape May ferry, was passed by the
House Monday afternoon by vote Of
20 to 10. 1t has already passed the
Senate and the bill will now go to the
governor for his consideration. This
act is termed by many, one of the |
most important pieces of legislation
passed to date by the present session
of the General Assembly because of
it's far-reaching benefits to the entire
State in general and the possibilities
it will afford to the lower part of Del |
aware, in particular, in the way of
opening up the advantages of that
section to the outside world. The last
session of the Legislature provided an
appropriation of $4,000 for the build
ing of this wharf but this was found
insufficient. This additional 100000
will make S45,OOO available for the
project. It is specified that the work
must be completed before January l,
1925.
Former New Jersey Senator Talks
Former State Senator Stevens of
New Jersey, addressed the House
Monday and explained what his native
State is doing and has done in the
way of building new roads and what it
has provided for the New Jersey end
of the Lewes-Cape May ferry service.
The work in his State he said, is
also under the direction of the State
Highway Department for the entire
project is a part of the good roads
system of New Jersey. He spoke of
the tremendous sums appropriated for
the building Of the vehicular tunnels
under the Hudson river connecting
New York and Jersey City; of the
construction Of the Philadelphia-Cam-
den bridge connecting those two cities
and then said the proposed Lewes-
Cape May ferry is just as important
link in these connecting schemes be-
tween the States as is either the tun-
mel or the new bridge. New Jersey
he stated, is building a great highway
from Jersey City to Cape May anC
this ferry will be a link connecting
lower Delaware and the far-fameC
eastern shore, with all its beauty anC
wealth, with New Jersey and its di
: rect line of traffic right straight thru
: to New York. The New Jersey ap
! preparation for the Cape May end o
the ferry is contingent upon Delawar
providing for the Lewes landing, h
5 said. New Jersey is to provide tn
I ferry boat and to maintain the service
e between Cape May and Lewes and al
Y Delaware has to do is to build land
II ing where this ferry boat may dis
y charge and take on its passengers an
S cargoes. The wharf may also be util
Il lied by all other river and bay boat
e which may desire to put in there.
y was pointed out the boat line will b
y a benefit to the farmer and produc
u man for it will open the markets q
n New Jersey to Delaware growers an
n it was claimed New Jersey cannC
a. produce enough fOodstuffs for its sec
III shore resorts, especially in the sun
III mer time. 1t was stated New Jerse
/ buyers frequently come to Delawal
It for produce and farm products an
As this wharf will make it more CONVEX
IL lent for such buyers and will brin
) more of them to this side of the ba
e Will Open Great Territory an State
The proposed line will open up
es great territory in Delaware and Il
ed ferry service, it was argued, will
n the greatest thing that could ha'
re happened for this State. The distan
ell between Lewes and Cape May is
ut miles. The House members were to
he a boat can land at Lewes in any XIII
f. of weather, for the breakwater W
.s- be ample protection even in a ga
d. and no matter how rough the bay m;
Jh, be. The ferry line will not be a pl
nd vate enterprise but a State underta
F. ing and New Jersey will maintain al
an operate it as part of the State ente
T. prises and no individual will profit
T. it as a business venture. Sever
in members Of the House spoke in su
in port of the bill. 1t was argued
ice New Jersey was willing to spend hu
an dreds of thousands of dollars on t
project Delaware should not hesita
to spend 100000; also that it will
IN a great connecting link for the go
road systems in both states. Tn
ion said Delaware should be willing
spend this much for the developme
r. of it's commerce and the developmt
lay of it's resources and also to prov
ion a thing that will, it is believed, SCI
ion to attract thousands of automoh
ay- tourists to lower Delaware for tn
lis may travel on the good roads to lie
i'm es then take the boat 70 Cape NJ
ace and go on good roads to any of
ant resorts along the coast. Or the to
eek ist may visit the resorts there, Il
,ral cross to Delaware and tour this St