Swansea Journal and South Wales Liberal. — 1895-08-24 (Swansea, West Glamorgan, Wales)

IMPROVEMENTS AT THE PORT OF PHILADELPHIA. The American Consul Receives a Communication of Interest to Swansea Shippers.  Some months ago, a good deal of the Swansea -Am erican. trade was transacted at Philadelphia and frequently a couple of steamers per week were despatched from here for the Quaker city. Latterly there has been a distinct falling off in shipments to the port. The traffic has been sent to other ports possibly on account of the inconvenience shipping at Philadelphia. The following letter therefore, will be read with interest : Dr. David C. Davies, the United States Consul at Swansea, has received the following: The Philadelphia Board of Trade has directed its officers to inform you, and through you the commercial interests within your Consular jurisdiction, concerning the many and important,works of improvement now under way in the port and harbor of Philadelphia. (1) The islands opposite the city front, so long a restriction upon the commerce of the port, have been removed by the National Government, after the appropriations of millions in money and three years of active work. Work upon the site of the islands will be actively continued until a depth of thirtytwo feet at high water is obtained. Already greater freedom in the navigation of vessels and greater security in passing up and down the river have been secured.  (2) As a result of the removal of the islands, new piers ranging from six hundred to one thousand feet in length are being constructed, which afford greatly increased room for vessels directly on the city front. . (3) A Belt Line railroad for freight is being. built with the intention of connecting all the railroads of the city, giving the very unusual advantage of delivering freight by rail at the wharves .and docks, which cover a frontage of from eight to ten miles. (4) The Federal Government has continued the work of deepening the channel of the Delaware River, the ,intention being to secure a depth of thirty-two feet at high water and a width of six hundred feet to the sea, The Government has also continued its work of providing lights and buoys, which now make the Delaware Bay and River one of the best lighted maritime avenues in the world. (5) The unequaled railroad facilities of the city .of Philadelphia have never been more complete and efficient than they are to-day. Elevators, coal and ore docks are provided for the quick and economical handling of cargoes, and the railroad systems which have their terminals here, with connections all over the United States, afford facilities for the quick shipment of freight not surpassed in any city in the country.  (6) In Octxiber, 1895, there will be opened in Philadelphia a building devoted wholly to trade and commerce, to be known as "The Bourse," which, in size, convenience for its purpose, and in completeness of detail, will not be surpassed by any exchange or trade building in the world. (7) It is believed that information as to these very important advantages to the port of Philadelphia has reached many: foreign countries, as already inquiries have been made from parties desiring to establish steamship lines to this port, and this communication is intended as a reply thereto. The Board expresses the hope that as opportunity offers you will make known the manifold advantages which the improvements herein mentioned offer for trade with the city of Philadelphia. By order of the Philadelphia Board of Trade FREDERICK FRALEY, President. W. R. Tucker, Secretary.  Another meeting of the ma4ter. builders of Swansea was held at Dyne Tor-place, on Monday evening for the putpc:Se of considering the position aS regards tlu:3 strike of joiner s o,nd carpenterq. NoPaing um, bPwever, was repcxted, the wen dal adhering to the position they had taken up all along. The masters, after some discussion, resolved te make no difference in their stand in the matter, though it is said that the majority in favour of refusing the men's demands is dwiudling.—lt is probable that the Executive Comnlittee, of the Mason's Society will, if necqs4ary, Tote a sum of money towards mai,ntat.utng 'the joiners'. strike.  *all'at, 4 retired- butler, aged 7.0, has.cdixiniitted suicide, at Kentish Town. Tbe old man bad; been missing for some days,. and em his workshop being broken int; he was found banging by 4 ro.p from a niter, There was no clothing on the body,