The New York herald., 1870-06-02
THE NEW RE EGIME.
Tho department Of Docks on a Tour Of Inspec-
uon-condition Of the Wharves and Piers
How the City is swindled and Its Revs-
nue Lessened-Remedies Pro-
poaed-An 0ctogenarians idea.

piers and bulkheads on either side OF the city. For
the purpose OF making the tour the Commissioners
Of Charities and Correction placed their pretty
steamboat the Minnahannock, at the disposal OF the
Dock Commissioners, and had everything In readi-
ness to start at the appointed time-halfpast
ten o'clock A. M.-fr0m foot Of Twenty
sixth street, East river. AT the time men-
toned there were present Commissioners Agnew,
Smith, Wood and Henry, OF the Department of
DOCKS; commissioners Bell Nicholson and Frear, of
the Department OF Charities and Correctlen; Mr.
Peter Cooper, Mr.. Joseph +. Ealy, Judge eect OF
the Court OF Common Pleas; Mr.. Burnham, Clerk Of
the Department OF Docks; Mr.. Frank Squire and a
few other gentlemen connected with the me rcantie
interests OF the metropolis.
The Commissioners OF Docks announced their in
tention to make the examination as iui as possible
on such trip, and for that reason Mr.. Burnham-
VINO has had charge OF the Bureau OF
Docks in the Comptr0ers Office for
some years-came prepared with the necessary
diagrams to Illustrate the explanations he could
make. From his long experience in the bureau to
TO which he was attached he was enabled to Impar
great deal of valuable and
INTERESTING INFORMATION
and show that he Is an invaluable adjunct to the
department. HIS explanations were heard atten-
lively by the Commissioners and together with their
VWu viCV5 VI ScucIdi appearance Ol INC WO8rVc3
and piers noted down for further consideration
The route taken yesterday was up the East river
90 shat the complete circuit of the island might be
made as far as poss ble Turning around, near
Harlem bridge, the beat was headed down stream. 1t
was here observed that the pier at the northerly end
OF the island. at 1soth street was in pretty fair
dtlon, but seems that this pier and also several
others have ceased to belong to the city, and are
private property. When the bulkhead and pier
lines We're established Ethe city gave grants TO the
owners OF
RIPARIAN PROPERTY,
by which the latter were entitled I'LL in as far as
the bukhead line, and become possessed of the land
thus acquired. In several Instances the corporation
did not reserve to itself the ends Of the Streets and
In those places where the bulkhead line is beyond
the limit Of the present piers the city loses all right
to any revenue from docks This is the case in re-
laton to the dock loot or 130th street. for which
the water grant was obtained only two years
ago. In fact majority OF the property
owners entitled to grants did not apply for them
until within few years, or until they saw that the
natural growth OF commerce OF the city would send
Shipping up the river, and that the value Of their
may lose by the neglect 10 reserve the rights TO the
ends Of the sire is ean scarcely be estimated, but
thoroughly on the subject and save to the city az
much as possible. Tie piers
ALONG THE EAST RIVER 'FRONT.'
which are owned by Companies or private indi-
vduals, were found to be In much better condition
than those belonging TO the city. The pier foot OF
formation OF Juvenile Delnquents, and is in seem.
ingly good order The pier foot Of Hath street is
Leased to Stephen Roberts !or siSo per and
street the Harlem Gaslight Company pays
seventyhve dollars per year; their lease, however,
leased at the same price until 1875 These piers are
IN good ORDER as IN fact are almost all at the upper
city has reserved 100 eet wide % tue buikhead line
Se, ninth street pier returns $500 per annum TO
the city. At the foot OF Flftythird street water
course lose The from the pier at the loot OF
tins street the Thirtyeighth street pier Is
ana is in fair condon The Thirty street nsss
pier is leased Tor $780, and Is In good order From
the Of a M S mas
the water grants will make on It, The Twenty
eighth street pier is leased for $3.50 per annun and
Twenty-sxth street is occupied by Bellevue Hospital
and the dock at the foot Of Twenty-sixth
new dock, replacing the rickety, tumble down
concern which existed here for several years, and it
was only by. the persistent efforts OF the Commits
SOne1S OF Charities and Correction that the City
Fathers were Induced to build the pier as 1t IL at
present. The piers from this point down which are
owned by the City are In poor condition. Several
Of them have apparently good noorngs but the CRIB
work in many Is poor rotten and sunken. The Com
missloners observed each dock as the boat sailed
Coming to Grand street
THE FERRY COMPANY swINDLEs
were explained. 1t appears that the Grand street
Ferry folks owe the city some 100000 which they
decline 10 pay on the grounds that the corporation
has granted privileges and franchises to other com.
panies which should be given only to them. This
matter will be looked into by the Commis-
soners as also ,, the right right. Of ox the CITY to
to re- air piers SO and g. which the company leases
at fifty dollars per annum, and also In regard to
4 yUQo ia cd la lint
on one pretext or another he has managed to avoid
the payment.
medaIely above 1t are occupied by oyster boats.
Some OF the Commissioners expressed The opinion
PERMANENT STRUCTURES
were obstacles that should be removed to some
other locality. The draught OF water in this neigh
bolhood Is such that it could be made available Tor
heavy shipping, while these oyster boats and such
like could be transferred to some other point to
which heavy shipping could not go.
THE DUMPING BOARDS
nelr the foot OF James street, were remarked as
ating nuisance and as causing heavy loss to the
TIE filth and stencil at this point drive commerce
away, While, IT some mOre1suitabe place were found
% oc the ao TO "a be & o0a and
matter WILL OF course, receive the careful attention
Of the Commissioners.
Pier 81 at the foot Of Market street Is in bad cond
tion and needs immediate repairs. Pier 20 at the
foot OF Burling slip is shockingy bad, and pier 10 at
the foot OF Fletcher street is but little better Pier II
is in mddlng condition, and has been leased by Mr..
briggs for forty years at $500 per annum. The
Erie Railway. pier, No. 8, which IS rented to that
company for $4,000 per annum, is in good order ap-
parenlly. From here to pier No. Is the space re-
served for canalboats. The bukhead needs repairing
In several places. Per No. g. between Broad street
aud COentes slip, Is in very bad condition and
shduld be repaired Immediately. The piers on this
side also in need OF attention In several placea
THE BARGE OFFICE DOCK
although not coming unler the control Of the COM
mssioners is in such bad condition that Is In every
way unsuted for the purposes for which 1t Is used.
The baggage OF passengers undergoing examination
was exposed, while the passengers themselves,
Old and young were obliged to stand on The uncov-
cred dock, without any chance for shade or shelter
from heat or storm. Had the Commissioners Charge
OF this place they would begin operations here, and
make. without delay, more fitting landing place
for those seeking this country and one which would
convey more favorable impression OF the care Of
the government TO provide Tor the comfort and con-
venience OF those coming from foreign counties.
The docks and piers
ALONG THE NORTH RIVER FRONT,
being owned mostly by private corporations, were
found to be In really good order except piers Nos
A. q and 22 and the pier foot Of Fftyseyenth street.
One-half Of pier No. IL Is owned by the city, and the
other hail. together with No. 49, is leased by Pilot
NO ntoctr ptop No q has =.