The New York herald., 1877-02-13
THE DOCKS OF NEW YORK.
WHAT SHALL BE DONE WITH OUR CITY
WATER FRONT?

WHAT SHALL BE DONE WITH OUR CITY
WATER FRONT?
An adjourned meeting OF the conference composed
OF representatives OF the Chamber OF Commerce. tho
Chenp Transportation Association, the Cotton Ex-
change, the Produce Exchange the ship Owners As
socat'on, tho New York Board OF Trade and OF tho
Council Of Political Reform held in tho rooms Of
the Chamber OF Commerce yesterday. At a meeting
held on the 9th OF December sub-committccs CON-
posed Of members from the above bodies, were ap-
pointed to investigate the presen. system and to
report at the next meeting OF the Conference. Yes
tcrday was the time appointed to hear the reports.
Captain Ambrose Snow occupied the chair
COMMITTEES REPORTS.
Mr. W. r. Webb OF committee No. l. reported that
the committee OF which he a member had met
but wcrc not yet abo to make a report He read
letter from Mr.. Wales OF tho Department Of Docks,
making appointment with the committee for next
Thursday tho result OF watch interview would be
adc the subject OF report tor the next meeting Of tho
Conference.
Committees No. ard 3 reported progress
Committee No. I madc no report. Mr.. John y.
Henry, however, OF this COMMITTEES, made state cmcnt
on the propricy OF selling tue whole or part OF the
city dock property. Ho recognized the fact that the
management Of the DOCK properly has not been
factory and has resulted IN profit city, and
favored selling under wso Restrictions and proper
guarantees portion OF the docks such persons or
corporations as may require them for new lines OF
vessels lines already established but In
tho purpose OF speculation or for subetting at
sve rates to the detrimcnt OF trade and at
our port He opposed selling tho property ndiscrim-
inatcy Tor the following reasons First, because
II IS OF paramount importance that no i'm
ped!mcnt should bc thrown in tho way OF
tho commercial enterprise OF our city. nut
that the contrary we should do all in our power 10
invite trade to port and facilitate both expectation
and Importation and TO this end should use every
effort TO prevent the dock property from being bought
up and controlled by speculation. Second-It rs be-
cvcd that tho property and should be made self.
sustainng-as much so, at least, as II all belonged
nrtVatn p.lsv du.t, u, ri WA f.ss
government and believe that our interest will be bet.
ter served ana protected by officials whose acts are
whose only object sclfadvancemcnt without regard
to the public welfare. Competition, and not combna-
ton, should be the watchword.
Tho statement received and laid on the table
The following resolution, offered by Mr. Henry, was
also tabled
n. "s i s GpI0n s ." s g M s TIN.
under such restrictions and will prevent
commerce and invite the formation Of new lines
OF ships and the bringing ct trade to our port Whenever
Resolved That the dock property should be made self
interest merchants shippers and the weiae OF
the city and that Il shall be aim all homes!
and Legitimate competition Ms against combination aud
monopoly.
Mr.. A. B. Muller, OF the Same committee, followed
with statement which was also laid tho table aud
from which the following points are taken Tho
needs OF proper wharf in city
caused several OF the most important steamer lines
notably the Cunard, Bremen, Hamburg ana others-to
locate on the New Jersey shore, and the only piers
that are properly adapted FOR tho accommodation OF
large entire water front those that
have recently been erected by the city Tho further
disposal OF dock property becomes very
sderaon and tho best interests OF the city would be
subserved by the indiscrimnpte sale Of Great ci-
iorts now being made by rival Atlantic cities TO
divert tho commerce that has hitherto been tributary
10 city, and TO such extent have these efforts
been successful that all tho commercial bodies
OF our city have under consideration such improve
In railway and canal transportation. mnal
facilities, &c. shall tend not only prevent further
loss but likewise restore our city to IT'S former I'D
Tho value OF taxable real estate Of city
depends upon the success Of our commerce and the
consequent prosperity OF our business men, and In that
Wow the rental received from wharves may become
or secondary Importance portion OF the dock prop
crty might be sold to steamer lines plying regularly 10
this port for other OF largo commercial advan
tages city, under suitable RESTRICTIONS prevent
Ing the resale subc,tng by tho purchaser without
the consent OF the corporation, and with right 10 tho
repurchssc vested In tho city. at price TO be fixed by
three more disntercsted appraisers whenever tho
purchaser should not require the further OF the
same.
No report received from committee No. b, the
members desiring to wait before reporting until the
other committees were heard from.
The Conference then adjourned subject TO the call
Of the Chair.