The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-07-29
our River ImprOvemonts-The Blum
ders OF Legislation.

Our River ImprOvemonts-The Blum
ders OF Legislation.
The late Chief Engineer Of the Dock De-
partment General Charles X. Graham, in his
report for the last year of his service, refers
TO the obstacles that have interposed to pre-
vent the Improvement of the Harlem, East
and North rivers. The importance OF deiin-
ing proper limits on the New York and New
Jersey shores, beyond which injurious en-
eroachments on the waters of the North River
shall not be made, has been long conceded
The advancement of Sandy Hook toward the
channels between the ocean and the bay is
sufficiently alarming to teach US the absolute
necessity of taking effective measures for the
protection of the commercial supremacy of
the port. Yet we continue to allow ashes and
other material of similar character to be
dumped in the harbor, and we neglect to
make such arrangements with the Opposite
Slate as will prevent the extension Of Pier and
bulkhead lines on either side in q manner to
interfere with the full flow of the tidal wa.
tiers. We thus aid in the work of gradually
sealing up our harbor, instead of taking ener-
getic measures to prevent such calamity.
When laws to properly protect the bay
from the damage done by the dump
ers are proposed they are certain to
meet with opposition from some legis-
lative or administrative Solons who are ig-
norant of their necessity We have Harbor
Commissioners to fix pier and bulkhead lines
on our own side of the river, and New Jersey
does similar work on her side. Yet we have
not the sense to settle the question of en-
croachments definitely through the action of
the two State governments and Congress. In
like manner on the East River, although both
sides are within the jurisdiction of our own
State, we pursue similar mole-like policy.
Elaborate plans for the improvement of our
side of that river were made by General
Mcclellan. The usual stop policy prevailed,
no work was DONE and now solid bulkheads
and projecting lines on the Brooklyn side
have arrayed themselves against US, reducing
the channel from the width on which General
McClellan's calculations in 1870 were based
and upsetting all our plans. The Legislature
has not had the common sense to provide for
the fixing of the limits of the encroachments
on the New York and Brooklyn sides stimuli
taneously, SO that it might be known exactly
what work might be done without interfer-
ence with the tidal flow and consequent
damage to the harbor
The importance of the proposed improve
ment in the navigation of the Harlem River
and Spuyten Duyvil Greek is admitted. The
most stohd legislator would hesitate to oppose
it on the ground that it is unnecessary. With
fine channel for the passage of ships from
the North to the East River, and with the re-
moval of the He'll Gate DISTINCTIONS will
come q revolution in the commercial business
of the city. The days will come when we
shall have busy docks and great storehouses
at the upper end of the island, with the resi-
dences of the princes of commerce stretching
on the other side of the river into Westches-
ter county. Everybody wants the Harlem
River improved; but the Legislature places
the requisite authority this year in the hands
of the Park Commission, and next year in
the hands of the Public Works Commissioner,
and the third year transfers it to the Dock De-
takes place. Now one set of officials
have been empowered to establish an
exterior line of piers and bulkheads on the
Harlem River, and now another set, and the
old saying has been verified, ''What is every
body's business is nobody's business" The
charter Of 1873, with its natural perverseness,
further complicated the matter by giving the
power to the Dock Commissioners and tying
up their hands SO as not to permit any inter-
ference with the blunders formerly made by
the Park Commissioners in the establishment
Of exterior lines-blunders which efectually
suspend the further work of improvement.
General Graham shows conclusively that
resurvey of the river should be ordered, the
bulkhead lines readjusted and means taken to
increase the section of the improved river at
its mouth on the Hudson. The natural
channel should be retained and made sufficient
for an adequate flow Of water between the
two larger rivers. If the ex-Chief Engineers
report directs attention to the blunders of
past legislation and secures some effective
laws next year it will be a useful document.
Our proposed river works are essential to the
future progress and prosperity of the city,
and hitherto they have been blocked by the
stupidity of our lawmakers.
THE LOYAL ARTIST, Mast, really fears that
the newspapers are anxious to attack Nellie's
baby. This shows to what emergencies a