The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-05-26
STEAM ON THE BELT ROAD.

MERCHANTS PLEADING THEIR CASE WITH THE
ALpERMANIc STREET coMMITrEE-A woRDf
QUARREL BETWEEN Mr.. LEES AND ALDER
MAN REILLY.
The important question Of improved terminal iacil.
ties in the city New York yesterday discussed
before Mayor Ely aud the Street Committee OF the Board
OF Aldermen. A delegation OF wharf and steamboat
owners called upon the Mayor shortly after twelve
O'Clock These gentlemen were opposed to the propo
ston TO allow the Of the Belt Railroad for run
ming freight cars BY Among them were George
/ w. Quntard, Captain Babcock, Henry Green. J. W.
Patterson and others. They contended that II the
| privilege wero granted West street would be over
crowded. "
Mayor Ely In replying them. said he was In favor
OF all proper regulations for diminishing the costs OF
transporting freigh.s through tho city. He was
aware that trade going elsewhere on account OF
want OF proper facilities for moving goods He
thought that whatever done should be done with
proper regard 10 private rights and tho various COM
mcrcia interests affected He also stated shat he
opposed to granting any further privileges TO the Cen
trail Railroad Company until they did something tow
ard establishing an underground railroad or some
commercial advantage 10 the City.
PROCEEDINGS BEFORE ALDgRNAsc STREET cox-
MirTEE.
Some fity commercial gentlemen appeared before
o'clock This committee consists OF Aldermen Bryan
Reilly Slevin and Phillips.
Mr. Theodore f. Lees, on behalf Of the Commercial
Conference, first spoke in support OF the petitioners
He contended that this system OF local transfer
imperative necessity. The interests OF commerce in
commercial city should be paramount. The signs OF
the times the results already accomplished by
board cios admonsh US that we must connect our
ships and railroads by tho shortest and best methods
Al .rr
Commerce. ina, body had approved OF the plan to
use the railroads the East and North rivers for
freight purposes by steam. Although the railroads
had decreased thor rates II much for cart
age from st. Johns Park Depot 10 the shipping
paid 10 bring the trsghls from Chicago tc Now York.
In Baltimore they could bring all goods from the cars
drec, TO the vessels without expenses Of local trans
portation.
Mr.. Henry Harrington, Of the Grocers' Board Of
Trade SAID Thar purt OF the business OF
me country had been trans ierred Boston other
consequence OF our inaiequate terminal acIl
ties Mr.. harrington asked thut the Aldermen should
give authority lo try tins experiment.
Mr. James Wadsworth said that the cost OF moving
OF freight by sellroad IS only one cent per mc
twenty cents 10 81 tor earning the similar
distance through our streets hc could not see how
any I'M could be injured by allowing those cars
10 ran between tho hours MISUNDERSTANDING \. NJ aud
six A. N.
and Grocers' Board oil Trade was satisfied that the
sagacity OF the founders Of this city wl still remain
advance the interests Of It's people.
Mr. William A. Cole IRON the Produce Exchange,
remarked that brains would beat geography, and that
II we used the appliances OF our position neighboring
cities would not be abc TO compete with US.
Mr. h. X Miller said II was TACT that people could
buy flour fifteen cents barrel and corn Two or three
cents busnel cheaper IN Baltimore than they could IN
New York This resulted from superiority OF terminal
facilities the former CITY.
OPPOSING
Mr.. Cornell asked an opportunity TO sond IN some
objections tae proposition. as was announced that
IN I'M
Ex-Judge Hogan here rose and called attention TO
what he designated y 'scurrllous article" IN the
HERALD OF last Saturday, THIS article turned out
be letter written by Mr. Lees secretary Of the Cheap
transportation Association. Rejecting upon the con.
answer to the COMMIT nicatious asking for speedy
hearing before the committee. Judge Hogan con-
that the first business should be apology for
the publication OF such article Tho gentleman next
went on 10 decry the idea OF running the freight
by Everybody that ne knew, from Canal street
down 10 the battery. was opposed to the project The
Bolt Railroad through several narrow streets, and
II would prove very announcement 10 use steam over
Personal ALTIRcArIoS
Alderman Bryan Reilly, chairman or the committee,
The ur,cles III the newspapers He had received sew
erul letters from the Cheap transportation Associa
ton. and hal informed them that they could have
hearing AZ any time He wanted a veriication vi his
statements and an explanation rem these gentlemen
Mr., Lees-I wrote that letter and am personally
responsible for us contents.
of Il certain int,rviow which he mad with Alderman
Alderman Reilly-w.ll tho gentleman state the ma
Mr. Lees sa,d that hc would give the Board OF Alder
men an opportunity investigate The whole matter.
He had leters documents and witnesses 10 suostan-
Alderman Rcilly-I want you to give tlaconversa-
ticn that took place.
Mr. Lees-I culled at your house and was there In
formed that you were at q political meeting
Alderman ReilIy-State that again, sir
Mr. Lees (who is evidently slightly dcaf|-Yon told
m Mr.. Reilly that would DO necessary Tor to
see you privately beioro meeting Of your committee
could be called.
This last avernent excited Mr. Rel ly very much He
strc ched over the desk deuonstratlve attitude and
remarked, pointing his INDEX nnger at Loes--'The
Chairman denies everything that you say. wish TO
state that what you say Is ialscn
placed over his lett EARL Can prove what say.
Alderman Relly-Was there q gentleman named
wuydeI with you that evening" Did you ask me 10
meet y ou at your headquartcrsy
Mr. Lces-l did You promised 10 come to my Office
Alderman Ricly-l deny making any such promise.
I deny that ever asked TO meet you privately or
otherwise. | prove before any magistrate that
what you state is a ialsehood.
Mr. Lees (who seemed 10 keep his temper under tho
imputaton OF lasohnod)-Can ! make few 70.
marks Mr. ReiliyY The commerce. OF the city Of
New York to-day speaks TO rs municipal representa-
lives and VIC are entitled 70 the courtesy Of proper
hearing.
the that occurred between himself and
Mr. Reilly ior tho third lime contradicled the stae-
ments OF Mr. Lees by saying, ~ Say 20 YOU ST. that
you could nave hearing at any time You have per-
sisted trying to get the Chairman Of this COMMITTEES
down 10 your Office Tor some purpose"
| The personal discussion was thus kept up for somo
time AZ It's conclusion Mr. Wallace and other gentle
men present expressed the hope that would not opcr
ate any injustice tho cause they appeared there Ito
advocate.
at ono O'Clock, when all opposed 10 the scheme VIII
10 ne"@ ----
CIT