The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1876-04-22
NEW WHARvES AND PIERS.
THE PLANS AND OPERATIONS OF

INVESTIGATING THE PLANS AND OPERATIONS OF
THE DOCK DEPARTMENT..
The subcommittee consisting OF representatives OF
the New York Cheap transportation Company Cham
Der Of Commerce, Produce Exchange, Importers and
Grocers Board or Trade and Of other commercial bod
los, recently appointed to inquire into the operations
OF the Dock Department, met yesterday, and were
received by Commissioner Wales rho main object
whether the appropriations set apart
FOR the department being judlcously and econo-
icalIy expended and whether the present plans in ref
crcncc the Improvement OF the docks should be in
dorscd before any further payments should beapproved
of by the organizations referred to.
Commissioner Wales, President of the department
said that the Dock Commissioners assumed at tho out
set from The high character and intelligence ofthc
committee that the subjects be considered would DO
fully aud fairly investigated Such cooperation was
cordially welcomed by the department. Tho work to
be considered was one OF tho important TO tho
present and future life OF the city, aud class Of citl-
better abe appreciate this than the gen.
temcn present 1t to him that better terminal
facilities at this port for tho convenient handling of
merchandise transu pressing necessities, and
it rested with the committee finally to determine what
we're their needs and what must be done to provide Tor
them New York could, by energy and CAPT
,ncrc,aI city OF the country. She might through
iuhttcutlOu anu ucRicCb OcCouc o'Souu sSuisS
Wider and better streets wcrc demanded, improved
wharves and piers should be provided Tho question
not now what legislation was needed. The Ieas-
aturc would adjourn and II was not practicable ~
this late date to carry through any new measure Tho
department. lie said would place Ut the disposal OF tho
committee every facility possible, together with books
plans anu surveys necessary 10 clcar UNDERESTIMATE
Of the work. and practical beginning would invite
them To careful inspection Of the district between
Church and Christopher streets in order that tho true
state OF affairs might be observed.
The Commissioners then proposed that tho commit
tee visit the important works In progress by Tho New
York Central Railway Company at the foot or Sixtch
street. North River
Mr.. Potter animated that II the 6esire OF the
organ no represented that money should be
wasted.
Mr. Miller submitted that the docks OF New York
Disgrace the city, ami insisted that the COM
mttcc should them and judge for themselves. hc
thought that the Commissioners should be clothed
with power 10 spend the appropriation Of 81 600 900
II the proposed improvements would rebound 10 tho
commercial advantage Of the city.
In response 10 tho inquiry as 10 how much money
would be required complete the work already be-
gun, Commissioner Wales stated that there prevailed
general misunderstanding TO the expenses Of the
department, and tnat IN view OF the investigation now
loot u would be advisable Tor the subcommittee
10 inspect the improvements now IN progress
Alter some discussion II agreed 10 adopt tho
idea suggested, and the subcommittee proceeded to
the foot Canal street, where the various plans wcrc
explained 10 regard the building OF piers The
party also visited several ether docks. and finally
street and conveyed the foot OF Sixtch street.
where ,hcy examined tho new pier. Tho sub-com-
mitee will report the result OF their Investigations on
Tuesday next