The Wilmington morning star., 1945-02-23
Important Day for Port

Important Lay IOT OIC
Inspection of the Port Of Wilmington's Ia
cilities and study Of It's potentialities by the
State Planning board Wednesday certainly
bears more significance to its future than
just another junket and accompanying con-
ference Ali too often the port has been in
spected" and naught came Of the action.
This latest survey, however, may well be
considered an important one by all Whining
tonians interested in the development Of the
port to the position to which it is rightfully
entitled.
What the members Of the Planning board
mine the states interest in the port for the
next few years. Apparently they were i'm
pressed. Acting Chairman Capus M. Waynick
said he had IAN entirely different picture"
of local possibilities from that which he
brought from Raleigh. No official decision, If
one was reached, could be disclosed by the
board during its stay since its mission was to
prepare a direct report to Governor Cherry.
This report, a synopsis Of which is scheduled
to be pesented to the Governor today, is the
important thing.
It will determine the fate Of the terminal
finance bill This measure provides for the
creation of State Shipping Authority, for
i its authorization to issue revenue bonds for
port improvements in three seaboard counties
and for authorization OF the state to subscribe
to the bonds. 1t is a direct avenue through
which North Carolina can give its ports the
assistance necessary for them to take worth
while place in postwar water-borne COM
merce
The question OF whether importance Of i'm
provement Of the Port OF Wilmington is great
enough to offset possible financial loss in the
operation of the projected facilities themselves
was apparently in the minds Of the Planning
Board members In other words, would the
statewide benefits warrant the financial out
lay? We know they would. Especially would
the benefits in lower freight rates be felt
in the industrial Piedmont. ]. T. HERS and
Cyrus D. Hogue, of the Port commission
pointed to the three-fold 1,7OO, OOO-ton increase
between 1882 and 1914 without improvement of
admittedly inadequate facilities.
Mr.. Hogue also explained that approximate
ly 80 per cent of Wilmington's growing sea-
products, shipped from terminals constructed
by the distributing companies at their own
expense, implying the Statewide benefit to
manufacturers from publicly built terminals
which would allow general merchandise to
assume its natural proportion in the traffic
OF North Carolina industry's most convenient
port
We do not feel that it is necessary to 20
into the many advantages of a good state
port at this time Rather, let's review h e
meaning OF Wednesdays inspection.
First, it should place the State Planning
board on record to its attitude toward the
port Second, it leads to the opportunity for
North Cardinals new chief executive to show
his feelings
The report and any action taken on it in
Raleigh will be, in effect barometer in
creating what We may expect in upstate as.
slstance In the future. The reaction will he
made public soon. Only two weeks of this
session OF the legislature may remain to take
care OF the passage OF the port bill if if is
approved by the Planning Board and the Gov.
ernor Mr. Waynick pointed out. To rush the
legislation through in this period would re.
qulre very impressive Recommendations - be
aooed. Meanwhile, we hope thew will he FORTH
coming not only because of their importance
70 Wilmington itself but the state as ubo1.