Smyrna times., 1932-08-24
GATHER DATA ON
DELAWARE SPAN
State May Borrow Money
From Federal Reconstruc-
ton Finance Corporation
MANY WOULD GET JOBS

The news that Governor Buck is
contemplating the advisability of
calling a conference of officials of
the State and of New Jersey to
consider the practicability of the
construction of bridge across the
/ Delaware River in the vicinity of
| Wilmington, has aroused renewed
interest in this long-cherished
dream of the people. Engineers of
the State Highway Department, it
is said, are collecting data as to
the cost of construction, location
of the bridge, style of structure,
expenses incident to its operation
probabilities as to its use, possibil-
tiles of relieving the unemployment
situation and such other matters
as might be subject for discussion
at such a conference. The Cover
nor may feed assured he has struck
popular chord in considering the
feasibility of such an undertaking.
The construction of the span would
mean new era for Wilmington
and at the same time afford en-
ployment to thousands of men who
are now out of work and may be
for months yet to come Should
the construction of this bridge be
authorized, it is pointed out by
many, the most logical location for
it would be in the direction of the
northern boundary of the city
where the distance across is short.
The high elevation of the land also
affords the greatest advantage in
building the approach to the struc-
ture from the Delaware side. The
rapid strides made in the develop
ment of the northern section of
Wilmington during the past decade
and the potential possibilities for
the future are such that this loca-
ton should receive the most earn
est consideration before final de
cision is reached. Under the pro-
visions Of the Federal Relief Bill
enacted at the recent session Of
Congress, 1864, 100000 was alIocat-
ed for self-liquidating public works
such as this proposed bridge surely
would be, judging from the revenue
derived from the Philadelphia
Camden bridge, the capacity Of
which is now taxed to such an ex-
tent another bridge in that section
must soon be constructed. The
State, borrowing from this fund to
build such bridge, would liquidate
the loan from the revenues derived
or in case, as it is generally be
lieved, the Federal Government
would eventually cancel such loans,
then the State would be in a posi-
tion still more advantageous. In
this connection the Federal Recon 4
struction Finance Corporation has
received an application
from the Delaware River Joint
Bridge Committee for a $4,000 900
loan, S8,OOO,OOO Of which il to be
used for the construction Of a high
speed line across the Philadelphia
Camden bridge and the remainder
to retire the bonds against this
same bridge The difference be
tween this proposition and the one
being considered here is that an en-
tire new building project would be
thereby complying
with the provisions Of the bill 70
construct self-liquidating public .
works and at the same time relieve
the unemployment situation. This
bridge would open up the
entire south to this section, the
part of New Jersey and +
New York and also be Of inestim-
able value for the development of
Delaware, portion of Pennsylvania
ard Maryland and the entire south
ern section Of the State of New
Jersey, including its many seaside
resorts.