The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-05-15
The Water Fronts Of tho Harbor-A
Gigantic Undertaking.

To THE EDITOR OF THE HERALD:-
few weeks since notice OF q sale appeared in
one OF the morning papers Of four acres Of land
under water on the shore OF the Jersey mats
north OF Constable's Point. for $4,000; and by in
qury It Is found that further sales have been made
&C stin higher prices. The price seemed large
one for property 80 situared-a mile al least from
deep water. But 1t now transpires that q grant
has been made or commission created for the
disposal OF all the unappropriated land under water
from Constable's Point, opposite New Brighton, to
the docks Of the New Jersey Central Railroad. Jer
sey City, bounded by line running just west Of
Ellis and Bedloe's islands This, however, would
be the bulkhead line, and although about four
miles in extent and embracing several
thousands OF acres, still does not quite
reach 9s deep But the panso Of
OF broad piers from the shore ont, NJ some points
mile or more in length, TO be made solid ~ the
which would at the same time give any requisite
depth OF water. Still the project seemed 70 lack
one aesp What ows seps
fore, the obvious solution OF vast and sagaclousy
planned enterprise. Anew years since, nader the
for bridge rom staten island, to be constructed
on line parallel With the nulsnead i,ne , aiaaed
Jersey City The bridge project ana NOT commend
itself to practical minds, and alrnougn occasionally
se ssts ss nssrss Il the
(on Of that cnarter however, reveals the fact that
it confers privileges Of immense value sucn
"A the building of DOCKS filing IN and making land
erecting warehouses, elevators and other struc-
tnres for the purposes OF commerce, and running
mt niers 70 the channel or deep water OF the bay.
And here. doubtless, was the real object OF the
charter-the Niger IN the ience. Privileges or
such value certainly should never have been
granted without some adequate consideration.
But among the corporators were several members
or represon tRriyes OF the ring. glance at the
man Of the harbor will show the magnitude and
importance OF these projects when combined. It
ie asserted that the eliminating act--rhe grant
from the New Jersey northumberland from
the cooperation Of the Railroad King OF Pennsyl-
vsnia and his influence with the legislative body
nc Trenton. 1t ig further asserted by those who
seem to be In the confidence OF the projectors or
this grand scheme that IL looks to the use OF this
extensive water front as grand depot
and terminus In the futuro for the great
freight lines OF the South and West with that
contemplated BY the bill now before Congress for
3 direct cheap freight and transportation line
from 81. LOUIS and Chicago to some point on the
narDor OF new York. The great Importance and
immense vatue OF these grants-their nonopolz-
IhG chaIacter a. comblned--sh0uld be matter OF
some interest TO our merchants and citizens.
cspeciaiy view OF the TACT, lately become mani
es., taas eigole water fronts or wharf privileges
81 any extent adapted to our great and rapidly
increasing commerce, largely maritime, are
every year becoming more and more dimcnn 70
ootain. Even for the piers now building ~ the oo
quarantine, Staten Island, very large rentals IRE
reported, on good authority. to have been oneIoa.
anu In that vicinity, having many advanteges ,os
ocean steamers there are but . few tnoussno 20
OF watar front ohtainable.