The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-03-10
STEAM IN WEST STREET.

STEAM IN WEST STREET.
HEARING BEFORE THE DOCK DEPARTMENT. ON THE
PROPOSED DUMMYIzINa OF THAT THOROUGH
FARE.
An interesting hearing was given yesterday aiter-
noon before the Board OF Commissioners OF the De-
partment OF Pubic Docks, President Wales In the
chair. to the application of the Central and Hudson
River Railroad companies freight trains with
dummy engines over Belt road to the docks of tho
White Star line OF Liverpool Steamers pier 81 North
river. II Is the design 10 continue the trims from
Canal and ST Johns Park depot to tho docks N
order that Western produce NAV be shipped directly
from the shipboard and thus avoid the delay
and expense of intercty transit which prevail under
the present system. The project Is opposed by the
Erie Railway Company for which will b
presently explained
Colonel Henry g. Stebbins appeared for the Erie
Company; Mr.. Chauncey N. Depew and Dir. Toucey.
Superintendent OF tho HUDSON and Central, appeared
on behalf OF those companies, and Mr. r. J. Ccrtis,
agent Of the White Star line represented the steam
ship interest Mr.. Augustus Scheli, OF the Central.
present during the hearing. but took part In
the proceedings
LETTER FROM MR. JEwsTT THE ERIE ROAD
President Wales read letter from II. J. Jewett,
cever OF the Erie road who had been attend
the hearing Colonel Stebbins referred TO as the
recoenlzed representative OF the company. Mr. Jew
CIT hoped that conclusion would DO arrived at until
all tho parties In interest be heard He said that
IN Directing 10 the granting Of the privilege In the
case IN question lie did simply because Of its gen.
cedent which might be binding upon the Board n
cases Of applications tor similar use OF other piers,
tion OF the piers business be destructive
interests he (Mr. Jewett) represented.
FAIR PLAY ALL AROUND
President Wales stated that the first application was
from the Central Railroad Company, and II was desr:
that tho Board should have the benefit of iull
expression OF sentiment on the part OF those
Mr. Cortis OF the White Star line, explained his
advantages OF having piers and railroad tracks in
venient connection with the steamers, IN order 10
facilitate the lransshipment vi freight
THE DUMMY QUESTION.
Mr. Touccy submitted plan OF the proposed route
Of tho cars and IN response to inquiries showed what
the companies intended TO 40 'rhe freight Is TO be
carried down the piers by dummy engines" said Mr..
Toucey
Colonel srEDBIxs-What will you do with your
dummies when you got them down tho perss
Mr. Toucey made an ambiguous reply but 1t seemed
to be satisfactory he then proceeded state that
the work would be done tho night time,
as not TO interfere with the usual day traffic on the
street, and otherwise enlarged behalf OF the project
ERIE RAMPANT OPPOSITION
Colonel Stebbns tor the Erie road, opposed the
granting OF tho application on the grounds:-
Firs-That the owners OF property on both sides OF
West street would necessarily OBJECT to ncumDerinR
the street with any additional impediments traffic.
Second-rhat the owners OF various leases who pay
tribute the city Tor existing accommodations, would
be unwilling to have their accommodations nterfered
engines g,1ss r,,, ~. m,,k.,s w,c, now .r,rs ~,
limited accommodations to market men, both IRON the
city and country, could not transact their business
with any fresh impcdiinents thrown In the way OF
their existing facilities.
FourAt-That the number Of ferries south of Canal
street and the population compelled to avail OF them
boh sides 0! the river would be seriously mpeded
IN aud by any additional
structOns In West street.
FyM-rhe water ways surrounding the city would
seem be all that necessary subserve the
OF the steamships located at wharves and
the railways which find accommodations on piers.
Si1ut-That the freight cars now running on the
Belt serious INSTRUCTIONS to free traffic and the
comfortable movements OF pedestrians going TO
and from the ferries, and passengers in the regular
Seren0.-rhat if the facilities asked for by the White
Star Inc gwen TO all the dock owners south OF
Canal West street would become absolutely inn
passable.
Colonel Stebbins said his object opposing tho ap.
plication general than SPECIAL He dwet
upon danger OF narrowing the river front Of tho
city and statement ny him In June last.
winch he fully explained his views on tho subject
When Wcst street widened to the proposed extent
OF 200 tcethe would say 300 fcett would be time 10
inaugurute measures OF this KIND
President WALEs-Suppose tho privilege Colonel
should be granted to the Erie road, what would you
Colonel srKDnIss (promptIy,-I would say tina. Is
would forever destroy the industrial and vested inter-
osts Of West street
IN FAVOR OF TIE APPLICATION
Chauncey NJ. Depew spoke in behalf of the Central
road and the granting of the application. He argued
that II movement calculated 10 benefit the COM
nerce Of the city, and should be carried out. He
pleasantly referred to that ''mitabo future' when
West street would DO wdened $50 feet, suggested
by Colonel StebDns and considered that before that
period arrived the commerce OF New York aud the
city ITSELF with its present S140 O00 QUO indebtedness
would DO gether different from what they
A dosutory conversation ensued between members
OF the Board and counsel regard ~ tho various in
terests involved and upon mutual agreement the fur
Their hearing In the matter adjourned to Wednes-
day next when Mr. Jewet OF the Erie, - expected
will be heard.
PROBABLE SUCCESS or THE APPLICATION.
Erau rtvato mn hat
is disposition in the Board to grant the APPLICATION
Tut every opportunity Will be Afforded TO opponents to
nut II thcir OblectIOuS