The New York herald., 1877-03-01
THE CITY WATER FRONT.

THE ABOLITION OF THE DOCK DEPARTMENT
RECOMMENDED BY THE COMMERCIAL BopIEs-
COMMITTEE APPOINTED TO URGE THE MAT
TER IN ALBANY.
An adjourned meeting of the Conference Committee
from the various commercial bodies held ycster-
day afternoon, Captain Ambrose Snow presiding
After tho minutes Of tho meeting of February 70 had
been read ana approved, Mr. John y. Henry, from
Committee No. g. reported IN behalf Of that commit
tee that the subject OF selling the dock property by
the city and appropriating the money realized to qui
dating the cty's debt, had been duly considered by
them, and the majority OF the committee have come to
the conclusion that the present was an inappropriate
timc to sell anything, much less such valuable realty
as the docks Of New York. Subsequently written
report TO the effect handed In which was
roceved and laid over.
In regard to tho duties assigned to Committee No.
3-viz to look into and ascertain the validity OF titles
OF dock property under water and leased by the city to
individuals-tho Chairman reported that the task
signed to them Of herculcan proportions. and In
wolves an enormous expense. There exists pro-
vision for deirayng the heavy outlay such an nvcs-
tgation would necessate, and 1t would be proper TO
memoralze the Legislature TO sanction the raising OF
money to meet this contingency To search these
titles requires the services OF highly competent
lawyers, and their knowledge and experience cannot
be had except at good remuneration.
It was hore stated that Committee No. had n
ton In their report which toucned upon this point aud
a motion made to discharge this committee from tho
further consideration OF the subject unanimously
adopted.
Committee No. 8, through Mr.. W. b. Morgan, made
the following report
The law authorizing tho bonding OF the city Of New
York for the expendareso the Deck Department Should
provided for b general txatio and IN the ANIMAL
estimates passed by the Board OF Estimate aud APP
Th. books of account of tho Dock or other
that all such expenditures may be classified with full
structure work or thin done and also ali salaries wages
., anpsar Therein and ui and Teaed re
port Of expenditures be made smannnay e the
Office and published in tho annual reports.
without loss or injury. should be done by contract
The so "d for nv S & PrGpsy ns by i
the Commissioners OF the Sinking Fund first Obtained in
s. The dock property should he leased or periods
si @ s% wsh 1T sS0
paid the city ON the termination
al Spprovs s"s aS"sf u the n @ Sinking
ns ~ 6s psss
Proper LEGISLATION should be had 70 secure as soon as
city the lands under water outside OF the buikhead as
The baiknead should hereafter built in al parts
already commenced Of the hest crib work unless the COM
parties should decide that the city
40 legislation present required change in
The use ct the exiting ye Il, ErgsS by 81 or
piers around the city to the extent to which this may be
To- Two additional members the Commission of the
Sinking Fund should be appointed BY the Governor subject
Citizens "f New York city not hoans Office under the city
% hf Should Ssp Sns
Of the Commissioners Of the sinking tund
of Tires and he should hold and exercise his oce
s arm Of the Depart
OF Docks should be 10 diminish its expense simplify
the dock OF 81 the city 80 ina, TAR posi-
ae Ss sns this IL property pass into the
and corporations under such tenure as will
Of the property by the iber and iuaieions Of
sp.ss sI the rights Of the public aud Of commerce
is special committee shall be appointed by this Con-
fer nee the OF these
in proper legal orm All OF which respectfully sub
Signed by the committee.
DISCUSSING THE REPORT.
Considerable debate ensued on the various propo-
sitons contained In the above, especially the
ton which egslates the Recorder out OF the Sinking
Fund Commission. Mr. Fitch IN favoring the report,
contcndcd that tho Recorder OF this city has little
time 10 think matters outside Of his extensive law
labors II is desirable to substitute some who
has rim o"d aack tho
compliment to his efficiency and rectitudc, ana
wanted understood that his objections were based IN
public policy.
A number OF other gentlemen spoke on the report,
both pro and CON- which was tnaliy adopted, and in
accordnnce with article No Is Of report Chair
man upponted the following gentlemen as committee
draft suitable laws on the subjects treated upon by
the Conference at the various meetings and to pro-
ceed 10 Albany there endeavor 10 the
Quired legislation.
The Chairman appointed the following named gentle
men :-Mcssrs William IL. Webb. Gustav Schwab, O.
b, Potter, T. Fitch, W. B. Morgan, George Opdyke,
William II. Guion, J. T. Robinson, Henry Hentz and
The meeting then adjourned, subject TO the call OF
the Chair.