The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1867-01-06
THE WHARVEs AND PIERS OF NEW YoRI.
Something for the Consideration OF Our Leigh
intOrs.
TO THs EDITOR or THE HERALD.


sntOrs.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE HERALD.
me condition OF the wharves and piers OF the port OF
new YORK has been subject that has ELECTED for some
time past the serious consideration OF all who feel for
the welfare OF the city either through pride interest
II subject that enters all the ramdcations of trade
and commerce and has created fears and misgivings
among every class Of the community; for tho CON-
OF The port hang the support and prospects the
artisan we'll the merchant OF the aborer we'll
the shipbuiIGer and shipowner All cognzant OF
the fact that the wharves and piers have for many
years been going from bad to worse and that they arc
now with some few exceptions sinking into decay and
useessnesa All know that the Committee Of the Cham
Der Of Commerce stated fact when it not long ago
reported that there but i've piers along the East
and North rivers that in proper repair; all know
that the piers which broken down by tho ice two
or three years ago have not yet been rebuilt all
know that vessels cannot lay at most Of the docks
their present condition with proper degree Of safety
The knowledge Of the above facts has awakened .
dsslS In the public mind TO seek tho capses They arc
sssy 81 scc!utiou and may b readily Slammed up.
The present fkSs 81 Wharfage weH Established n
April $780, and under prices then ruling barely
sufhcient TO pay interest the cost OF construction
leaving nothing with which to make the necessary re-
pairs Since that period lumber. iron and all kinds Of
material required for building and repairing docks have
doubled in cost and labor has advanced from seventy
1--WE cents and 81 so to 50 "a day. Thus the ques-
ton becomes plain that the docks cannot be Kept in
proper repair under the present rates. and owners will
not rebuild unless they have some incentive do So
To remedy the evil which Is universally ack now
lodged 2 exist many propositions have been advanced
but all or nearly all are based upon Interested motives
and are therefore, less open 10 objection The
warehouse system the assaable features OF which
are that designs 10 wrench from the corporation for
nominal price portion of what ought to be its
liable property and to saddle upon the city and its
prise money making monopoly. The warehousng sys-
tonabe the docks could be left free for
as vacant lot Is TO its owner suitable warehouses would
be constructed upon the piers which would only be
convenience to shippers but protection to the docks
and to all property which might be landed from vessels
Stone piers have been projected but 1t has been fully
demonstrated that TO pay interest the cost Of
strucon rates would be required to be high that the
commerce OF the port might be endangered in
quence. The same objections arise in regard to iron
piers and submerged warehouses Make the goods landed
many OF the Eastern and Southern pOr but the propo
stion IS very unpopular and presents Objectionable
features Leave the wharfage rates open to competition
and allow the owners and essees make their bar
serious objections this proposition If the system
should be established the owners and essees would
bine, and, actuated by greed, might establish
exorbtant that vessels would be forced to carry their
business to neghborng ports or otherwise, enormous
prices such the smaller class Of vessels could not
afford to pay, would be charged for desirable bertha
No Improvement that would be beneficial to the port
at present can be made upon the old plan All that
necessary TO establish rates Of wharfage
which would increase the present charges about
and piers would always be found good condition as
could sas0nably be desired.