The Wilmington morning star., 1945-02-28
Up To Governor Cherry

South Atlantic ports are preparing for the
most competitive race for commerce in their
histories.
With only one exception Whining ton-all
are pressing state-aided plans for terminal
expansion. With the pent-up flood of world
trade that will gush forth with the peace as
the grand prize, they figure in millions for
development they move to the starting line
Today they are all practically on an even
basis as far as traffic is concerned But all
realize that the best prepared ones VIII get the
jump with the firing OF the gun when the
war ends.
Frankly, unless something is done and done
Immediately, Wilmington will be left at the
post The era that will unquestonably find
this country engaged in its greatest world
trade will pass us by.
If we, assisted by the state and federal gov
ernments, do not improve our terminal IA
ciities, obtain better freight rates and widely
advertise the advantages Of the port, then the
others will race so far ahead that the Port of
Wilmington may forever be relegated to an
even less desirable position than it has held in
the past The water-borne commerce Of North
Carolina will continue for many years to
come to pay higher freight rates through
other states ports and support their terminal
facilities.
Here is the picture as to other Southeastern
ports:
We cannot forget that Norfolk normally
handles nearly all Of North Cardinals COM
merce, with the exception of fertilizer ma
terial and petroleum products. This port
alone has more wharves and warehouse IA
cilities than all other South Atlantic harbors
combined.
South of us the South Carolina legislature is
considering the expenditure OF $500 600 for
new terminal developments at Charleston The
spirit that the project is much more than
just a development for that city is spreading
throu ghout the state. AS example, at a
meeting of industrial leaders in Greenville on
Feb. 49, 12O of these executives representing
the states Piedmont area voted their Who'll
hearted and unqualified endorsement Of the
program.
likewise. Georgia is busy. There is plan
for expenditure of millions for development
of the ports of Savannah and Brunswick now
before it's legislature After visiting the Ala
bana-owned docks at Mobile, the interested
legislators introduced bill for the creation
of State Ports authority with power to issue
bonds up to $4,000 900. In his remarks to the
delegation, Governor Chauncey Sparks, Of AL
abama said: I'm my opinion no single invest
ment that Alabama has ever made has con-
tributed beautifully to the progress Of the
state the Alabama State Docks. 1t is easy
to see the direct results but it is impossible
to measure the indirect benefits that have ac-
crued since the great project was started
The port of Tampa also has an ampluous
program involving the expenditure OF several
millions for modern and adequate terminals.
Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana have al
ready spent great sums to provide port IA
cilities for the commerce of their states, the
south central and western territories gener-
ally.
Today, the State Planning Board is sched-
uled to present to Governor r. Gregg Cherry
a report on its findings, and possibly de-
finite conclusions obtained during the recent
inspection trip here. This report will, to a
large degree, determine the fate Of the pro-
posed terminal finance bill, a comparatively
simple measure through which the state can
finance its ports on a self-liquidating basis.
The Governors reaction to this survey will
determine the ports future.
If it is favorable it will mean the "go ahead"
signal for development of harbor adequately
equipped to serve North Carolina.
If unfavorable suggesting delay until
the war is over, it will be serious setback
from which the port, in view OF the extensive
preparations under way elsewhere on the South
Atlantic, may never recover
1t is now up to Governor Cherry.
| When told of the distressing lack of re-
sponsibility on the part Of so many mothers
people are inclined to shrug their shoulders
and blame it on the war. This is not the
case. Child abandonments are symptoms Of
social ills which grow worse in wartime
~, - n