New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-02-27
siderable length when progress reported, bot leave
| 70 ait again on the bill refused, thus hlhDsit
THE HE'LL GATE IMPROVBhERTL.
VIGOROUS iPPEAIs TO CONGRESS FOR THE PRoCKcU-
TON OF THE WORK.

VIGOROUS lPPEAIs TO CONGRESS FOR THE PRoCfCU-
TON OF THE WORK.
A meeting was held last evening at the nan
NJ the East side Association at Eighty-sxth-st ana
Tbirdave of considering the important
subject OF the improvement OF the channei AT He cate
The meeting was held under tho auspices OF the East
side Association and presided over by Edward
Roberts The attendance small but nearly ali pres
ent we're most decided in expressing the cohVio'
tion that the enterprise was OF vital import
ance TO the city, State and Nation ana
should be prosecuted with the utmost WgOi'
Mr. Roberts on taking the chair said the work was one
which should command the attention OF every citizen OF
New.York City, and especially those Interested IN US
commerce The opening OF the Hell Gate channel to
large vessels would to European steamship
nearly one days time between tins port and the old
world The route to Europe should evidently he via
Long Island Sound. directly in the course and
should he made available.
A letter was then read from the Hon. John kely
stating that II was impossible for him to be present.
but he was fully alive to the importance OF the enter
prise steps should at be taken to petition Con-
gress for an appropriation that the work might be car
ried forward at The demand for shipping facli
ties was increasing daily and foreign vessels wouiu
seek other ports OF entry unless this demand couo pe
supplied There advantages on the North RIVER
comparable to those which might be had on the East
River when this great work should be completed The
general benefit 1t would he to tho community was 50
plain strange that any one should fail TO see IT,
Tho Hon. Charles Crary was then called upon, who
said there question affecting the commerce OF
the City Of NewYork to such an extent this There
was doubt that steamers would save IL hours
at least by extending their through Long Island
Sound 1t would shorten their route by $50 miles. The
amount Of business transacted through this channel was
marvellous Careful observation had shown that FOR tho
four months ending Nov. 80 1879 2,4si steamers,
averaging 1900 each, and lG,79i sailing vessels
averaging $50 tons EACH had passed through Hell GATE
There were several millions Of dollars worth Of property
| daily exposed TO the dangers In Hell Gate Every
day 1912 persons passing through this
| channel as passengers, and upward Of l7ocO
In ALL There was an annual loss OF more than one mil
hon Of dollars worth Of property due TO the Hell Gate
obsructions Among sailing vessels one In every my
| was damaged by striking the rocks going ashore.
GEN Newton the EngiueernC Chief had stated That the
| passing vessels when anchored in Hell Gate. That
more than a third OF the work had been finished The
| years would be required to finish it, whereas with a
sufficient appropriation the entire work could be com
pleted IN three years. The work stopped on Nov
ember 20. The Government had committed itself to the
work. Why should it allow it to fail ~ this stage The
people shOuld demand the appropriation necessary 10
finish the work which 20 much had already been e&
pended, and which woud confer such immense adyan-
| tages on the commerce OF NewyOrk and the entire
country. Mr.. Crazy then introduced the following reso
utons which were subsequently adopted. nj
NewYOrk hsroI work Of Sa,oaa mpoaes aad having bee
sSsTgy uSt he we work 'c completed; and
Of who have given
subject that Vl 10 complete the
removal OF progress heretofore made
Lnsh u IN
three adequate appropriations made for that
nearing further actually been suspended said i'm
months and In Of the
hauon Of the appropriation made at the st session Of Congress u
involving interruption the OF such work but
great and preserve the work already done there
fore,
Resolred the Of this city The equal 10
Of whole country in one accessibility Of this po ioi
largest the thOlanf Of lives and Ts
property daily exposed 70 the pe Of Hell Gae the con
delays feels Of vessels engaged IN the eoasng
trade distance and exposure all nsstane
steamers mperatvey demanding that this
hAn be possible period AMI with that view
respectfully earnestly Congress the necessity OF largely
| annually aJ 90 that object.
specially requested effort
Of 100000 for that OBJ
being required enable all the be enployed
| that q worked 10 advantage.
| An address was then delivered by the Hon VIM. A.
Darling, who considered the Importance OF the work
everywhere undeTestimaled. 1t not local but a
national enterprise, and tho Government should APP
preoioto suoh Vie the appointment of
committee to confer Win Chamber on
the subject. Edward Ketchum, Alexander THAN and
Edward Roberts also addressed the meeting, Charles
Crazy. VIM A. Darling, and Thomas j. CrOmbie were
appointed Committee 10 memorable COngTes, OF The
| subject.