The New York herald., 1878-03-24
TERMINAL FACILITIES.

CLOSE OF THE DIscussIoN OF THE ADvIsA-
,BILITy OF STEAM ON THE BELT Ro d BE-
FORE THE ALDERMANIc LAW COMMITTEE.
The anai public session OF the Law COMMITTEE OF
the Boara OF Aldermen convened for the purpose OF
discussing the proposition permit OF steam Tor
transfer oi freight through the CITY on the Belt Rail.
road, held at the CITY Hall yesterday afternoon
Mr. Charles E. Miller spoke In opposition TO tho
plan on peh III OF one OF the west street property
owners. He cited the many impedImens that would
be put in the way by allowing toe use OF steam in this
locality. Mr. Miller also contended that under the
charter OF the Belt road the corporation was limited
to passenger traffic. IL might be that they would
forfeit their charter II they awarded such privi
lege as wss asked for. Neither the Board nor tho
Legislature could authEize the use OF steam
on tho road other for the accommodation Of
passengers The gentleman also called attention to
the constitutional amendment providing that the
Legislature could not give permission Tor operating
railroad without the consent OF the municipal authori-
ties and nah oi the property owners an the line
OF the proposed change. this privilege were granted
IL would necesssate the creation OF new charter tor
the Belt road. steam cars could not run over Tue
road without the consent OF Inc corporation owning
It, Mr.. Miler further couiendet that the Bolt ka-
road Company had power 10 give such consent
The gen an called attention 10 the cnarter given
IN 1860 In suppoIr Of ms argument
Mr.. J LIVINGSTON also appeared on behalf OF West
street PROPERTY owners.
Alderman waehuer called Mr.. Miller's attention to
the fact that a law Of 1850 permitted the Belt Rail-
road To carry freight.
Mr Jonn NIX handed IN an additional petition from
the carmen OF Ns~ York against the privilege This
closed the ars uments OF those opposed 10 tho pian
IN SUPPORT or THE PRIVILEGE
Mr. c. s, smith, ifom the CuainUer Of Commerce
committee, then Drooeeded 10 oner iur'ner arsuhsn.
In support oil the privilege asked lor he pontca out
certain extracts fom recent report OF the Chambcr
IN which was stated that New York HAD become tne
expensive cty In tne world in which 10 do ous'
ness by OF bad city, government,
enormous taxston mlseraby paved and dirty streets,
insufcienI expensive terminal lacilities ana op-
prsssve railroad DETERMINATIONS. The petitioner
did not expec. tnat the pormss'on 10 use the bcit
Railroad would prove panacea or all the ills ny
wn;ch our commerce was ain cted. 1t was regarded
as OF the important remeuies.
Mr. j. p. Townsend, from the Produce Exchange.
read leng thy comparative statistical statement as 10
the terminal iacIlitie business aud commerce oil New
YORK, Baltimore, Boston aud other places.
ar. +. h. ThurOer, III closing The arguments 10 be.
half of tue pettionng merchants, after aiiudDg To the
history OF cheap transportation movements remarked
that what New York needed, aud what ultimately
must be had when Uulkhead line was ex-
touded, marginal railway cxculiveiy tor freight
The gentleman severely criticised the various
attempts ade to prevent the granting of this prv
leg lie alluded TO the different trades aud interests
presenting petitions as iolio~s:-Dry goods gro
ware, sugar re1ners, snppiug Boat Owners Associa
ton, petroleum, pilots, sainaKers. steamboat men,
stcvedvres laborers INSURANCE companies ana others
QUss roNs CONSIDERED PERTINENT.
Tho following ques IONS were submitted oy Alder
man Wuehner 10 inc auvocates OF tne moasure'--
Are the ste camship companies In favor OF II
Are the condition to warrant the placing
OF four or hve freight cars loaded upon them
Is this scheme prMccabIe unless elevators are erected
at = point where light be discharged Immediately
into tho vesseisy
any particular advantage to be obtained by running
the curs below Canal streeJ!
Are YOU in favor u placing fee upon cars
be lid to the city
II has be. urged that wharf and warehouse
ht together projected scheme Is impracticubey
viii Interfere with the loading and unloading
Will any steamship line be benefited except the White
Star line
Mr. Thurber stated that written answers would be
sent In TO these questions.
The com pmittes adjourned subject to tne call Of the
Chair.