The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-08-26

by its wretched custom house management
and want of suitable and properly located
bonded warehouses. First, then, our wharves,
piers and docks should be reconstructed and
improved on the best plan without delay. The
necessity of this has been recognized, and the
lnitiatory steps have been taken to carry out
improvements. An able engineer officer, Gene
raj Mcclellan, has the work in charge, and
we hope much from his ability. But, from
some cause, the improvements 60 on slowly.
we see scarcely any results, though the Dock
Commission has been organized long time.
Nor is the public generally made acquainted
with the work contemplated, if, indeed, any
general and comprehensive plan be determined
on. With new and substantial piers, wharves
and docks all round the lower portion of the
island and as far as shipping is likely to need
them on each side, both up the North and
East Rivers, there should be broad avenue
for railroads, both for freight and passengers.
The freight roads should connect with the
great trunk lines of the country, and with the
freight line or lines to the West we have sug-
gested. In this way produce even from st.
Louis could be brought direct to the shipping
and placed on board with comparatively little
cost. The transfer of merchandise destined
for the interior could be transported with like
facility, especially if the government should
have its bonded warehouses built up by the
waters edge on the new piers, wharves and
docks. Every one must see the great saving
of expense and the convenience to our mer-
chants and the public if such improvements
were carried out.
Besides these we want substantial viaduct
railroads through the city from one end of the
island to the other and on both the east and
west Sides A freight track or tracks could be
laid on these, as well rs double track for
passenger trains. There should be one grand
central depot in Westchester county, near the
Harlem River or Spuyten Duyvel Greek, where
all the railroads running to and from New
York on this side Of the Hudson and the rail-
road system Of the city should be concentrated
and unite. We do not enter into details or
dwell upon cross-town connections that may
be necessary. This is matter for engineering
skill and future consideration. The general
plan is simple and practicable, and, if carried
out, must greatly promote the commerce, value
Of property and beauty of our city, as well as
the convenience of the people. Then the time
cannot be distant when, with a free and safe
ship channel through He'll Gate, q large por-
ton of the shipping business will be ex-
tended up the East River and to-
ward Harlem. A broad ship canal,
with spacious docks and warehouses
along the gap of the Harlem River and Spuyten
Duyvil Greek, from the East to the North
River, would be, undoubtedly, the next grand
improvement. The vast trade of the North
River would thus be brought in immediate
contact with the shipping and the whole rail-
road system Of the country and city, and the
transfer of produce and merchandise would be
both cheap and convenient. The capital to
accomplish these grand improvements can be
found here. 1t is only necessary for our
wealthy men, merchants and the city govern
ment to comprehend tho present wants of the
city and the glorious future that must result
insure their accomplishment. The wealth and
enterprise of New York can accomplish any
thing within the range of possibility. Will
not the Chamber of Commerce, the Boards Of
Trade, Mr.. Vanderbilt, George Law, A. I.
Stewart, the Astors and others who are deeply
interested in the prosperity and progress of
the city move in this matter? We cannot
stand still while the whole country is progress
ing rapidly without losing ground. Whatever
may be the cost of the works spoken of the
profit to this metropolis will be much greater
proportionally, and they will go far to make
New York the most beautiful and attractive
city in the world.
Late Investigations of Comctary Physics.
A most able and important contribution to
science has just been made by the Naval OBJ
servatory in the reports of Professors Hall and
Hardness on the last return of Encke's comet.
The motion of this meteor around the sun has
occasioned many valuable Investigations,
which promise to lead the way for new theory
Of the comet and q new explanation Of its mys-
tsri9us and fiery tail The clearest view of
last, during clear moonless evening, and by
the aid of the spectroscope and solarscope
Professor Hardness reached his valuable re-
suits now published.
Among these results he clearly establishes
the material constitution of the cometary
body of 1871. The English Astronomer Hug
gins has proved, from the spectrum of the
second comet of 1868, that it is composed of
incandescent carbon in gaseous state. Pro-
lessor Hardness says that the wave lengths of
the spectrum of Encke's comet are SO nearly
identical with those of the spectrum observed
by Higgins and the general appearance of the
two spectra so similar that it seems impossible
absolutely identical; and, in any event, his
observations show that Encke's comet gives a