The New York herald., 1877-02-02

during the inclemeut season. 10 useless vessels and
on the north side owing 10 the rock formation upon
which the pier stands there Is not sufficient depth OF
water for vessels OF the largest capacity also aoso
lutcy deny hat the bukhead wall cost any such sum
as stated by the committee In their report In realty
tho was less than one.th,rd OF that amount Tho
Commissioners have never intended 70 incur apy sucn
large expense as that report states by building the
wall over the distance mentioned.
SCOPE WORK.
III was the original intention to construct the ma
foot OF West Eleventh street CD the North River to
tho foot OF Grand street the East River where the
largest commercial business OF the city Is conceu-
iraisd At tho lowest calculation consistent with the
proper regard for the interests and convenience OF
commerce the expense OF this construction would DC
distributed over period OF not less than ten years
y was mover proposed TO continue tho work above
West Eleventh street on the North River OF Grand
taxpayers should be frightened by the bugbear OF an
expenditure which may not be required Tor the next
afty years These improvements Will only DC made vs.
growth OF commerce be great that moro accom-
modaons are needed, there would be- probably no oo-
jcction 10 making them even entirely around ID
island II necessary but present the commerce OF
this city does not neod wharfage accommodation
above the points named the Two rivers that cannot
be supplied by the piers that now exist.
HARDER THAN RohAN WORK
'Under . Dew and improved plan suggested oy inc
present Enginecr-in-Chef OF tho department, Mr.
George 8. Greene, Jr, the department is now con.
strucling masonry bukhcad from the foot Of West
ago per lineai loot Of $226 Tho subcommittee
referred to recommend substitute Tor the masonry
wal wooden At ysys rU%
for the purpose be built Tor less than $3.50 per foot
which IL within $75 OF the cost OF masonry bulkhead
which would last for thousands OF years The eroat
Roman remains, which have lasted tor nearly =, 600
years, built OF GOOD material ns the work
now being constructed by the Dock Department, tho
gruuite and concrete used being OF the nrmcst and
most durable kind, aud surprising IN hardness that
used IN the Roman work referred to-
'srhc difference between the time required for tho
construction of the masonry bukhead as adopted by
the Dock Department and that required for tho con-
structlon OF wooden bulkhead 0i suitable character
would be very little as IL Is impossible 10 divert from
commercial use at any one time any considerable
amoupt OF Tho bulkhead and pier accommodation
within tho limits o the district specified.
LITTLE KxOwLEDGE DANGEROUS
''If the merchants, bankers, shippers and men OF
cnlight6n and assist tho authorities IN measures OF
Improvement and would devote their personal atten-
tion and sufficient time 70 ascertain all tho facts bear
ing these great questions they wonld undoubtedly
greatly assist tho heads Of depar ments IN performing
their duties but, Is generally the case, having a
Inquiry some impracticablc committee, or some
person who has no practical knowledge OF tho wants
OF great city. and thus become msiniormed or ac-
cept conclusions which not warranted ny the facts
In tho
s'Since my connection with tho Dock Commission
have strvcn every way possible to conduct the de-
partment ou the economical basis possible con-
ssent with the welfare OF the city, aud am confident
been re to as for the
NJ New YORK; but, IN addition 10 the fact that they
would cost much moro than the system which this
department is constructing the same necessity
exist for docks OF that character as In
Liverpool. The tide In the River Mersey has o risc
and fall OF twenty tour feet twentyiovr hours nnd
there Is but hour the day that vessels OF tho
largest capacity could be accommodated with water
enough lie anchor. 1t therefore became necos-
sary build storage docks TO odatc the
purposes OF the commerce OF the city. IN New York
The aud TALL OF tide not average over four
feet In hours. and there no time of day
or night that there s not enough water TO accommo-
date even the largest vessels ever built"
Mr. George S. Green, Jr., the Engineer.in-Chief OF
the Department. present during the expression OF
the foregoing views by Commissioner Wales and gave
his entire assent thereto. occasionally INTERPRETING
support OF President Wales and taking even
stronger grounds.