The Wilmington morning star., 1945-03-01
ISTATE UNIT ASKS
AID FOR HARB0R
CONTINUED from Page One)

attraction of water-borne COM
merce through a port.
''2-That, existing facilities are
inadequate.
''3-That, given these facilities
Wilmington could expect to be-
come a reasonably important port,
although there are too many dis
advantages beyond its control to
permit its ever becoming a really
Important port for foreign trade.
'4-That this development, even
on a modest scale, would benefit
North Carolina shippers and re-
ceivers and that it would con-
tribute materially to the indus
trial development of the State as
a whole.
''5-That this program of de-
velopment is sufficiently import
ant and far reaching to become a
state undertaking rather than
Wilmington project.
"6-That, if such a project
should be sponsored by the State
as whole, such sponsorship must
obviously include all possible port
developments along the North Car
DINA coast rather than Whining
ton alone.
'7-As a means OF effectuating
such a program it is commend
ed that the State by legislative
action at the current session of
the General Assembly create
North Carolina State Ports Au-
thority with power to study and
develop the ports of Wilmington,
Morehead City and Southport. The
authority would be provided with
a modest sum for administrative
expenses from the contingency and
emergency fund. To finance the
cost of it's development projects,
the authority would be given the
power to issue revenue bonds not
to exceed one million dollars. A
suggested act unfolding these fea-
lures is included herewith as
part of these recommendations,
marked exhibit d.
Informed of the conclusions and
recommendations, Cyrus D.
Hogue, chairman of the Whining
ton Port commission, said:
IT have not read the report but
from a synopsis of it made avail
able to me, 1 think, if this report
is accurate, that it represents a
long step forward in that the Plan
ming Board has recognized that
the development Of the port posi-
bilities of North Carolina does not
rest upon any particular commu
nifty but is matter for the State
at large. This viewpoint is es-
sential to any adequate develop
ment of North Carolina ports"
The suggested act empowering
the authority to issue revenue
bonds, as mentioned in the re-
port, is believed to be quite SINH
lar to Mr.. Hogue's proposed ter
minal finance bill.
The report of the Planning
Board was the result Of its recent
inspection Of the Port of Whining
ton. Following the survey, Mr.. |
said that he had IAN en-
tirely different picture" of local
harbor possibilities from that
which he had brought from Ra-
leigh.
In view of the fact that the
L egi / a tur is in the "home
every effort is expect
ed to be made to have legislation
looking to the creation of the State
authority introduced as early as
possible. Although local port in
terests had not talked with Repre-
sentative Jack @. LeGrand, it is
that he will attend the
conference today in the Governor
office.
Meanwhile, Federal Rivers and
Harbors Bill now awaiting Pres
ident Roosevelt's action would
provide these projects for the Cape
Fear river at Wilmington:
Widen Wilmington channel to
400 feet, turning basin to 800 feet
with heightened approaches, and
12-foot channel from inland wa
terway entrance to main channel,
$675,OO0
32-foot channel from ocean to
Wilmington, including turning
basin and approach to anchorage
basin, $790,000
Northeast (Cape FeaD river, 25-
foot channel and turning basin,
with other improvements. $4,000.