The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1866-11-22


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Isnportant Recessnse ndation OF the ship
owners Association 10 the Senatorial Com.
niittee.
The following action has been taken by the Ship.
owners Association Of New York before the Committee
OF the Senate
The undersigned merchants on behalf Of The Ship
owners Association Of New York, desire 10 express TO
your honorable committee their satsfa the de-
termination o. the senate Of this State to inform itself
through your Investigations distinctly and fully to
the condition aud OF tho wharves PIERS and
slips OF this city, their relations 10 the commercial in
tsrssts Of tho port.
Intelligent and represent tives Of reform have
already submitted for consideration the long stats
tics OF grievances which, in part at least your own per-
sonsl observations have been sufficient TO verify II is,
therefore unnecessary for TO enter upon the details
OF this subject further than remark that they present
themselves manly under three general aspects-iho
character Of tho piers and wbarves themselves. re-
CARDS their adaptation TO the wants OF commerce. the
condition OF the same and the provisions for their APP
preparation 10 the Of the commerce OF the port
In every particular must be confessed that New York
falls behind, not only the great commercial centres OF
Europe but even the lesser maritime cities ~ America
The natural advantages OF her magnificent harhor and
her geographical position alone sustain her in the great
race for supremacy.
The wooden wharves and piers OF New York are in
their best estate fra structures, built In conformity with
The IDEAS OF past aye and the requirements OF print
tive commerce. Above water exposed 10 tho constant
Influences OF decay and to the perLof confagraton and
below TO the destructive agencies OF swift tides and win
ters ce unequal "a tho weight OF large cargoes and the
wear and tear Of ceaseless trnfc, and nsecureIy
chored 70 the rivers bed, time they break down
with valuable merchandise and disappear beneath the
waves and al another succumb 10 the Of cur
rents aud drifting ice and are bodily swept from Their
foundations
In their ordinary condition ss set Forth reports
OF the Citizens Association and elsewhere their utter
nadeqnacy ia not only disgracefu but imposes waste
NJ tar upon every dollar alike Of vast export and
import, and your honorable committee will not fail 10
rcmark that by confession OF all interests there 10 az
present power with either State local officials snf
Gently defined or sufficiently exercised 10 better TINS
unfortunate state OF things
In fun harmony with the primitive and nnscient0c
character OF the wharves and piers but In ptfu contrast
with the comprehensive regulations OF foreign Dock
Boards are the arrangements for their supervision and
control and berthng Of vessels under system produc
tive OF endless vexation and loss TO tho merchant and
totally inadequate TO wise and impartial distribution OF
he facilities OF the port IN the interest OF commerce at
largs.
Unfortunately the perpextes Of the question do not
end here Prohting by the universal clamor for relief
private interests not always nnassocia,ed with pro
sumptive public advantages, continually address the
Legislature OF the State for special enactmenis directly
Affecting the state OF our hsrbor In the conflict which
thus the paramount interests OF commerce. and
the rights of the people Of the State as yet unmpnred
are constantly exposed TO sacrifice.
The exigences Of the demand the prompt inter
venon u the Legislature. The supreme control OF tho
subject must be resumed by the state 70 be vested anew
in stronger hands.
In the judgment OF the shpowners Association, the
and future welfare Of the commerce Of New York
Of and docks authorzed extngnsh the title OF tho
present Of wharves and piers 10 devise plans for
permanent rebuilding with full powers OF control and
superv and empowered further Under suitable Inn
aiope 10 issue bonds for the constructions, prin
eipal aud interest OF the be provided for by an
adequate tariff Of wharfage Eventually this arn should
10 graduated 10 the bare expenses OF maintaining
the system.
Whether a remedy 80 comprehensive and far reaching
IN lie effects could he at adopted IN iis entirety may
perhaps be questioned but the undersigned are strongly
persuaded that II offers the only solution % the
the future commercial dignity ~ the city
and the rights OF the people ~ the State.
Under circumstances, however, state comtnls-
sion with powers adequate the full control and super
vision OF tho existing wharves and piors " necessity
not safely TO he ignored commission selected from The
which should be concentrated The sared powers and
obligations OF the existing Boards Such body could .,
least safely defend the OF the state against
private aggression and develop 10 u fullest enectve-
ness the existing system.
Perhaps class the community has experienced
10 I've removed the body or general ship owners.
They approach honorable Con- mitee at this time
however IN tho advo OF private prolecte or views
bat with tho sole ooect Of securing for themselves and
for all whose interests may hereafter unite to
swell the Commerce OF this port the wise develop
nent aud the uDmparri and impartial enjoyment OF all
ifs mercial facilities
GEORGE NJ cirARIAN Chairman
JAMES " FROrHlSGEAM,
JAMES A. VAN BRUNT
AMBROSE Snow,
JOHN " WILLIAMS. ! Committee
EDWARD HisCKES
JOHN O. DALE
WILLIAM &. STuRGE~,
TBos,s =. sA~pr0RB Secretary.
INV YoEE Nov. ~, Iscf