The coastland times. [volume] (Mnateo [i.e. Manteo], N.C.) 1947-1959, 1956-12-21
EASTERN GROUPS ORGANIZE
TO SEEK STATE BACKING
FOR WATERWAYS PROGRESS
Governor Heard Discussion of Need For Devel-
opmen+ Of Small Harbors in All Communities
OF the N. c. Coastland; Dare and Hyde Rep
resented.


Tuesday morning in Raleigh, a
group of eastern North CaroliniansI
met in the office of Governor Luz
Their Hodges to discuss an effort
that is being made to get legisla-I
tive for an organized concerted
program, for the improvement of
the waterways Of Eastern North
Carolina, particularly small har-i
bors' in all the communities.
Attending this meeting was Col.
Harry Brown, Hurricane Rehabili-
tation Engineer. Hyde and Dare
counties were represented on the
delegation by R. S. Wahab of Ocra-
coke and d. v. Meekins of Man
teo. Arson Smith of Belhaven was
in this group.
Senator ]. v. Whitfield Of Bur-
gaw served as chairman of the del
egation. Others attending were
Glenn Tucker, and Mrs. Alice D.
Strickland of Carolina Beach,
Judge Luther Hamilton and Joe
Dubois of Morehead City, Garland
Fulcher of Oriental, DIR. r. H. Hol-
ton of Shallotte.
Following the meeting commit
tee to continue with plans in be-
half of the movement was named
as follows: R. S.. Wahab, Judge
Hamilton, Garland Fulcher, Mrs.
Strickland, Senator Whitfield, Joe
Dubois, William Potter of Beau
fort, and James Bowman of South
port. This committee will meet in
January to gather and compile data
in support Of the cause.
Governor Hodges commended
the idea, and suggested that def
mite plan supported by proper data
be prepared for the information of
the legislature.
Many advantages are expected
of the movement, which program
if carried out is expected TO be of
prime benefit to the commercial
fishing industry, the development
of waters for all classes of boats,
aids to mosquito control, encour-
agement of the shellfsh industry,
hating of beach erosion, etc. AS
part of the necessary funds for the
work, it was pointed out that a
great deal of money now going in
to the highway fund from certain
rebates due gas consumers and not
claimed by them, should he used
for this purpose. Boat operators
who pay the same amount for raa-
rine gas as motorists, can obtain a
refund on state taxes by filling out
forms. However, cupboard operat-
ors rarely go to the trouble of do
ing SO. AS a result, a large fund is
built up annually and is usually
turned over to the State Highway
and Public Works Commission.
The group wants the funds used
to the benefit of boat operators in
the dredging of harbors and chan
nels not approved for such work
by the Federal Waterway Mainte-
nance engineers. This dredging,
says the committee, would help
the areas economy in the follow
ing ways: One, provide additional
access in an emergency to boats;
two, afford protection for existing
sections Of the all-seashore high
way and for future construction
on the project; three, improve the
shell-fish industry; four, lead to
the development of industry and
inland ports; five, provide addition
al tourist attractions and facilities;
six, help develop more efficient
mosquito and water control; seven,
restore portions of storm-eroded
coastline by using dredged mater
ials, and eight, encouraging the de-
velopment of marinas, boat basins
and fishing areas.