The New York herald., 1876-01-19
THE TRADE Or new YORK.
Recommendations Made The Cheap
Transportation Association.
THE WANTS OF COMMERCE.
New Docks, Warehouses and
Elevators Needed.


Elevators Needed.
The annual meeting OF the Cheap transportation Az
socation was held No Ito Pearl street yesterday
afternoon Mr. b. p. Baker prcsf,iing. In his annual
report President Baker said that New York must have
transportation and terminal facilities equal to those
OF othor cities certain classes Of trade will leave
By this he did state that city will not
always (or for many years, at leasp be tho Grst
commercial city OF the nation but that the situation
is sucn that needs active energetic effort and hoarty
cooperation on the part OF all classes Of citizens IL
would hold the commerce which favorable circum-
stances have thrown into lap. To this end the e
forts Of the association have boon bent in the past,
and substantial progress had been made From small
beginning their membership had increased until it
comprised the larger part OF the active business
interests of this city, 800 members hav-
ing boon added during the year just past We
have advocated, he said increased appropriations
for the He'll Gate improvements the reduction OF tolls
upon the canals and amendments to the constitution Of
this State tending to secure better administration
thcreon the grading of gran and reduction OF Weigh
ing and elevstng charges to proper point; tho cou
strucon of elevators at tho tormin OF the trunk lines
OF railway, together with other improvements in our
terminal facilities for the economical handling of
chandse and last but not least, we have pcrsstonty
advocated proper facilities for rapid transit in this
city-al of which have been or are in fair way Of
bcng realized The excessive and fictitious cost OF
our present railroad lines, and the other inherent
defects in their construction and management, would
seem to point to the absolute necessity in the near
future for the construction of an Independent freight
railroad between the Mississippi Valley and tho
board. In recent report from the Committee on
Claims and Grievances this subject is alluded to as fol-
lows After considering certain inequalities aud discrim-
nations with the thereof the committee
that
These constantly recurring determinations adverse to
New York are therefore, but the natural result OF tho
very nature OF things and long dependent
upon our present railway facilities your committee DO
not how they DO avoided /. is not the purpose
OF the committee to discuss the char acer and manage
ment OF tho railways alluded TO- or to dwell upon the
ncstimable benefits which in our opinion would accrue
TO the commerce and people of the whole country from
the equitable operation OF an Independent and honestly
constructed railway between tho East and West A
road OF this character would, in opinion prove
permanent and sovereign balm for all the ills
planned of and alluded to in this report
II is by certain that shall not have TO 90
back to the old common law of hghways-that of the
public owning portion of their highways to prevent
abuses which inevitably to accompany corporate
monopoly.
After the reading of this report the following gentle
elected directors of the association for 1s76
Fairfield, A B. Miller, H. X. Miller, Franklin Edison,
b. p Baker Charles watrous, William Duryea, Theo
Il. W r. II. n.
Thurber, +. A Schroeder, b. C. Robbins, W. II. Hur
burt Harvey Harrington, E. r. Durkce, John II.
george HSo W M R,r5oa gon
James Pyle, Mayer Lehman, 4. i. Browning, Jordan
L. Mott, J. P. Robinson, r. A. Conkling, B, L. Acker
man. Darwin r. James, Simon Sterne and Theodore 4.
Alleu.
TERMINAL pAc11IrRs
The report OF the Committee Terminal Facilities
was then presented After reviewing certain recon-
mendations mado in last years. report it went on as
ssYour committee believe that a sufficient number o
piers should DO erected at different points along the
water front of the requisite strength and sodity
support warehouses for the storing the leading staples
OF merchandise, the whole structure (boh pier aud
warehouse) to be OF fireproof material, and that a
double track railroad for the transfer of freight should
be built along the bulkhead. to be operated by
steam, and connected with each warehouse by spur
tracks and switches. It is thought by some that
double track freight railway for the common Of all
railways centring here could be built on the bulkhcad
line on the top OF lreproof warehouses erected for
that purpose, thus utilizing tho space UNDER
meath the road, except at the piers where arches
could be built Instead of warehouses. Others think
the space underneath the road should be used for
freight railways TO be operated by horse power. Such
warehouses, properly constructed would relieve both
merchants and the general government from the en-
barrassments which now vcx both as to ''bonded
stores = and remove tho necessity which now exists
FOR carng goods from side OF the city to the other
to reach place Of storage, only to be carted back
again. In many cases TO be reshipped from the same
pier from whence they first started. IL should claim
the earnest and careful attention OF legislators,
who should bo urged TO offer to private capital such
guarantee would induce the carrying out or such
work without dcay who at the time they should
protect the vast interests which are at stake from any
deriment possible to arise from combination OF such
capital
Perhaps nothing would so much increase our faci-
ties for doing a grain business with economy and
despatch the building at the terminus of each grain
carrying railway terminating hero large and properly
arranged elevators or warehouses built on the water
line with sofcient depth of water for the largest
steam vessels and having such arrangements that
could como on to the piers alongside Of or into the
warehouse and unload las they do in Chicago and MIL
waukee In tow minutes and switch out Of the way
on their return trip The railways terminating In Yer
Soy Cy could locate their elevators 81 .ho sue 0f
common basin, and tho railways terminating on this
island could have common centre either the Hud-
son or East River These elevators should store for
small charge say oneaf cent per bushc the FIRST ten
days and as low possible thereafter but the main ad
vantage would arise from the rapidity with which
could be unoaded and In the buking and grading
OF all smaller lots. There was much oppostoh1o 70 this
system, but its success at Philadelphia and Baltimore
whore grain Is graded and where ship and car come
alongside has convinced the most doubtful that the
plan We recommended two years since Is The only
oy which We can rciain orl grain Trade. The plan OF
grading Is already In successful operation here without
the elevators, by using lighters as warehouses 1t IS
claimed by some that this system Is bettcr than sta
tionary elevators and warehouses; but is more ex
pensivo and not expeditions, many at least
Only short time since a steamer the Canada, was
loading here Tho grain for its cargo had been all
purchased and ordered alongside. IL was, however,
bought in so many different lots that thirteen lghtds
wcrc alongside unloading, or waiting their turns
to do The result was the hour OF sailing arrived
and the steamer len for Liverpool with deficiency OF
1000 bushels in her contract cargo, Notwithstanding
the shipper had ordered his grain alongside Had this
been in elevator IL could have been put board In
one lot in time, and at less expense. When the ele
vators are completed this lighter system can also be
used for full load lots for through shipments un
graded IL desirable.
We recommend the concentration OF merchandise
and produce separate localities on the water front
freight railroad the bulkhead would facilitate this
plan and unless II Is carried out the storage business
Will be driven Brooklyn and Staten Island, as is
largely done In cotton, coffee sugar iron, grain &c.
Jersey City is taking tobacco largely Dealers IN
hay asking for better accommodations, and should
have It with such road all our piers could be made
available and the business retained on Inc lsand wnicn
is likely TO be scattered instead Of concentrated These
] - a - 1871