New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-03-01
PROPER DOCK MANAGEMENT.

CONCLUSION OF THE LABoRs or fHg cOSMRRc,,
CoNFERENCE-OSg COMMISSIONED A MgNRY,
or THE SINKING FUND BOARD, sUGGEsrgD.
The Conference Committee appointed n,
the several commercial bodies aud the Council Of Poia
cal Reform TO inyestigate the dock system a,
this city met at the Chamber Of Commerce ana ca.
cluded their abOrs yesterday. Two OF tho sub-cOmnt
had rendered reports which have already been puA
lisbod In THE TRIBUNE, and Committees Nos. andl
excused from making any report, ~ the slboeu
which they had In charge would come up incidentally 4.
the report OF Committee No. D. which submitted ana
adopted. This committee had for consideration th,
question: What changes, any should be made in N.
existing laws creating the Dock Commission, with
view to Improvement Of the facilities for commerce and
for the general interests Of the pubcl" Tho cOmmt,.
stated that it sOugbt TO cOncilae the different view,
all interested, aud would therefore make tho following
recommendations:
l. The law authorizing the bonding Of the city for N.
expenditures OF the Dock Department should be imme
datcy repealed, and these expenditures should be pre
yded for by general taxation aud Included In the annual
estimates passed upon by the Board OF Estimate and Ap
portOnment.
H. The books Of account OF the Dock Department q,
should be kept that all such expenditures couId ~
classified with full specifications in detail and that he
actu1 c0st OF each structure, work or thing DONE and
also all salaries, wages purchase OF materials and tne,
expenditures whatsoever, shall distinctly APPEAR
therein, and fun and detailed report Of these eXDg
tures should be made semIannually to the M,Sa, IA
Controller ana published IN the repOug
III Al work 50 lar practicable, which can be- dom.
wnOut loss and injury should be done by con,rae, 'H'
~ Inc authority Tor acquiring property by this d.
partmcni, should any be cXcICsed must be- Win ,Sa
approval OF The Commissioners OF the Sinking FuniGn,
Obtained in all eases. ""
y The dock property should be- leased for period. M,
exceeding 20 years, with tNO renewals OF 10 tear. OK
with an appIaisemcn a. each renewal mproyencrt.t,
Dc paid for 0y tho eliy at an appruemen on toe ermg
nation Of the lease, and such base. in al CSC. 1t
have the approval Of the Commissioners Of he stioa
Fund and D. lnndc y public auction and all rcni, sboui5
Dt cOllcIlcN lhlbll-I -ht OJhtIUlgr. Office.
VI Proper gismu2n should be had as soon as practi.
cable, ami judicial determination OF the rights oT tbs
city the lard under water outside Of tie 6nlKnad a.
against the riparian owners.
VII The bukhead sh0ull hereafter b. bult in ali
parts, not already begun " the brs cubwork unle.,
the Commissioners Of TIE Sinking Fund upon iul l.sT.
Ing Should decide that the interest OF TIC cy r.arst
to be bul. otherwise au shall approve and order df.
ferent plan and constr elton.
VIII No legislation Gems at present required for
change in the DUibncad iIue either river.
TX. The of the existing Belt Railroad by steam or
ohsrwise should 80 lealzed for the distribution a
freight 10 piers around le ciiy ~ tue extent tLs may
X. Two additional members Of the Commissioner. o,
the Sinking Fund should DO appointed Dy the Governor
subject 10 the approval Of the Mayor, which neAbeFs
shall be citizens 81 NcwYorh city, not hodrg oice M.
de, the CITY state ana VINO shall without CON.
pcI,aton; aud the COumss Onnr of PIOo Works should
be, cr0lciO, OF the Commissioners of the shaking
Xf There should be enc Commissioner OF Docks in.
stead Of three and he should bold and exercise bis Office
as branch II the Department OF Public Work.
MI The general aims OF legislation - respects Tie
Department OF DOcK7 should be to diminish rs CT.
pcllsts, 70 llH ODtitiIolr 4tdsnS
and sale o. the dock property so that a. Ear 20, possible
ana rapidly may be- done with SAFETY ana aiYant
age, tnis property shall pass into the management of
private Idiy duais ana corporations under such tenure
Will furnish HducCm ltS Ter the proper unpoftmeut
OF the properly by the liberal and Cdicous expenditure
capital thereon, and with such restrictions as shall
protect all the night, OF the puzzle md o. com.' zee.
XII A special committee -'ai! DE appointed by th3
conference 10 pre- and secure the enactment VI these
measures in prOpe: legal form.
IN accordance with tic last recommendation the FOL.
lowing gcntleincn appointed committee 10 frame
BIN embodying the above suggestions, md 70 90 70 A.
bany s immediate pasSa e by tie Legislature
Edward Fitch W. H. webb, GlIstays Schwab .. g. Pot
ter, W u. Morgan. W II. Guou, J. H. Robinson, Henry
Hentz aud seth Low, r. The conference then adjourned
to meet ~ the call OF the chairman.