Milford chronicle., 1935-09-06
Charms OfDeLaware, OHAndNeM,
Revealed In National Geographic

which in the fiscal year ending June
80, 1882, netted less than $765, ,OOO."
Little Delaware" notes the ar.
ticle, with a population of 238, $3.50
ranks fourteenth among the States
in payment of taxes to the Federal
Government. There is not a house
within its boundaries more thar
four miles from a paved highway
and it has a statewide system of fine
modern schools; yet for public i'm
prOvements that have cost $50,O0O,-
900 it has paid practically out OF
what is counted upon as current in
come in State financing"
Describing the chief city of Della
ware, the author says, Wilmington
is small enough to have a friendly
and democratic society, large enough
to escape the worst phases of pro-
vincialism. Men meeting on the
street hail one another by their first
names. If the Philadelphia visitor
who said. I now know that scrapple
is an edible pork product, but l
should like to learn what is a Bid
die had gone to Wilmington instead,
she would never have been puzzled
for a moment as to the meaning of
Du Pont
THE Du Points have the main vi
fees Of their far-aung businesses in
Wilmington, but their factories are
elsewhere. In Delaware there are
only four Du POnt plants; three
pigment and solvent companies, and
the Medical Research Laboratory
which seeks to solve the problem of
eliminating the dangers of toxins in
industry All these are in or near
/ Wilmington.
Much has been written about the
'Du Pont dictatorship in Delaware.
II it is a dictatorship, it seems to me
a benefieient one. To T. Coleman Du
POnt the State owes the beginning
of its superb highway system. To
his cousin. Pierre Samuel. it owes
its splendid schOOl-building pro-
gram. The fine State University at
Newark is largely indebted to the
generosity Of the same family. There
is hardly a hospital or other public
or semi-public institution in the
State that has not benefited by the
gifts of the Du Points"
Many Delaware businesses are
older than the United States. There
is romance in Wilmington industry"
writes Mr.. BOrah. ITO list some of
the older businesses is to recapitu-
late much of the stirring early his
tory of America. J. E. Rhoads and
Sons, founded by John RhOads in
1902, is the oldest concern in Amer
lea continuously carrying the fam
lily name. The oldest transportation
company in continuous existence in
America is George w. Bush and
Sons Company. established by Sam
uel Bush in 1774.
"Others that began when this
country was in swaddling clothes
are: the Charles Warner Company.
1894; E. I. Du Pont de Nemours and
Company, 1902; Joseph Bancroft
and Sons Company. 1881; Lobdell
Car Wheel Company. 1886; Bethle- !
hem Shipbuilding Corporation. Ltd.
1886; Pyle Leather Company. 1915;
Pusey and Jones Company. 1S4S;
Machine Tool Company .
Of America, 1854; American Car and .
Foundry Company, 1859; Speakman
1869.
THE manufacture of vulcanized
iber began in Wilmington in 1875.
Invented in 1872 and patented in
1873. the process attracted slight at
ention at first Today the industry
4, Ona of fbo moot fmporfopf in tho
world. There are several factories in
and Newark. the seat
# the State University. has the large
modern plant of Norris Wright.
"Mr. Wright. like many of his fell
ow Delawareans, avoided shop
ak about the business that has
'een in his family for decades. In
tead he pointed out to me points of
interest in Newark. These Delawar-
ans have a natural graciousness
hat makes the newcomer forget
hat he is a stranger.
AT Newark. an ideal college
own. the magnificent State Univer-
ity occupies a beautiful campus. 1t ..
erves the State in many ways. par g,
in efforts to improve agri-
ulture. In establishment of for
ign study plan, it has been out }
landing among the universities of '
lis country. I
Before going to southern Della
are, I passed sometime in New v
astle, to me one of the most charm y
lg old towns in the United States. +
"One sits in a dining room in the
Id Court House, built in 1871 and v
FINISHED simply in colonial style. o
he two adjoining wings of the
Hiding were standing when Will A
am Penn landed on the New Castle V
rand in 1852. Paintings by star pu- y
Is of the Wilmington art school r,
lorn the walls. The setting is per- +
ct. '
"One leaves northern Delaware r
luctantly, but finds consolation =
I fever l should have ?
me to retire to an idyllic spot. l Il
IOuld acquire a house in New Cas- p
:. or Dover. or Iewes. These are
e very ideal of the small town, 1,
lich to me is the soul of Ameri-
N civilization. l should not be par D
al; peace and cOntentment dwell in Fl
most every village and hamlet in
elaware." al
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