Smyrna times., 1927-12-21
SENATE BILL FOR DELAWARE
\. ]. BRIDGE OVER THE RIVER
AUTHORIZES SPAN BETWEEN
PENN'S GROVE WILMINGTON
Tolls to Pay COst-PrOvisiOn is Made
for Taking Over the Structure by
Either State or Jointly

Tor IdkInS ONeT the DLTuCluIt Dy
Either State or Jointly
The project for a bridge across the
Delaware River at a point near Will
mington is moving rapidly. Those
Who did not take the bridge project
seriously, can now do 50. Following
the securing Of a charter at Dover on
Wednesday for 4 bridge company,
Senator Walter Il. Eedge, Of New
Jersey, introduced a bill in the United
State Senate at Washington in which
]. Siracusa and Clifford r. Powell are
authorized to construct q toll bridge
across the Delaware River near Penn's IS
Grove i'll New Jersey and at or near
the city of Wilmington in Delaware.
The bill is in the usual form Of such
bills and provides that the owners OF
the bridge may fix rate Of tolls to
be collected subject to the approval Of
the Secretary of War under an act Of
Congress Of March, 1906. There IS
also the usual provision that after the
completion of the bridge either state
or the states jointly may take over
the bridge according to the laws Of
the two states governing the acquisi-
ton Of property by condemnation pro
ceedings for public use. Another pro
vision that after twenty years, If the
bridge is taken over the damages or
compensation shall not include any
for good will OF prospective profits
but shall be limited to the actual cost
Of construction less a reasonable de
duction for actual depreciation. Earl
ier in the day directors Of the Cham
ber of Commerce endorsed the bridge
project though they did not endorse
any particular company or engineer.
When spoken to in reference to the
matter neither Henry T. Bush, presi-
dent VI the Chamber Of Commerce,
Gerrish Gassoway, the manger and
George "a. Casey chairman of the
bridge committee of the board knew
nothing Of the New Jersey PROPOSE
ton or the men who are named in the
bill of Senator Edge. The concern
chartered Is to be known as the Della
ware and New Jersey Bridge Com
pany. The officers are George a
Casey, president; Albert Bird, vice
president and Caleb NJ. Steward, sec
retary and treasurer. Mr.. Casey's
company was formed, it was stated
for the purpose Of getting the bridge
project started. The plan is to Oper-
ate a toll bridge from some point neal
Wilmington in Delaware to a point II
New Jersey. No definite site has
been selected, and it is understood
that no local interests will be asked t
provide funds. There will be 100
shares Of stock Of no par value. l
will be necessary to get the approva
of Congress for a bridge across tn
Delaware River, and it is understood
that Senator Bayard and Congress
Houston are willing to support tn
project i'll their respective houses.
Commerce Body's Report
After the report of the specia
bridge committee had been presente
w the Chamber Of Commerce direc
tors the following resolution wa
adopted: "Whereas, it appearing fror
the report of the special committe
named to report On the desirabilit
and feasibility Of a bridge across tn
Delaware River near Wilmington, tina
the experts consulted by said commit
tee found on preliminary and tents
tive surveys that the proposed bridg
II both desirable and feasible, struC
turally and financially.
therefore, be it resolved that tn
board Of directors of the Chamber {
Commerce hereby endorse the projeC
as outlined by the report Of the spec
ial committee"
Report Of the Committee
The special committees report fo
lows:
Mr.. Henry n. Bush, President,
Chamber Of Commerce,
Wilmington, Del.
Dear Sir: The committee named
investigate the feasibility Of a brida
across the Delaware river in the Y
cinity of Wilmington, wishes to n
port az follows:
Investigation discloses the bride
structurally and financially feasibl
The bridge is an economic nece
sity.
The bridge will shorten trafi
routes and tie up separate commun
ties, whose prosperity depends {
closer trade and social relations.
The project has the endorsement
communities interested.
With these basic considerations e
tablished the project looks very f
vorable.