The New York herald., 1878-02-20
HARLEM RIVER IMPROVEMENTS,
New Yorkers Before the House
Committee on Commerce.
A NAVIGABLE SHIP CANAL PROPOSED
Statement of the Delegation on the Ad-
yantages To Be Derived.
wAsHIseros, Feb. 10. 1879.

wAsHSGros, Feb l9, 1875
Tho question of widening and deepening the Harlem
River from Spuyten Duyv 10 Port Norris on the
East River in behalf Of the mercantile and large
interests OF the Northwest, is about 70 be revived
with greater interest than ever before In Congress.
To that end the subject was brought up this morn
ing by Mr.. Franklin Edison, President OF the New
York Produce Exchange, Messra Samuel f.
Lyon, Andrew II. Green, L. 6. Morris. N. T. Bailey
ana j. H. Goodwin. Tne proposition made 10 tns
committee is one OF such great Importance
to the whole country bat moro especially TO ths
northwest that the history OF the original conception
OF project and the efforts which have been made
may not prove uninteresting. SO many impedimen's
exist OF even a small aud almost insignificant charac-
ter TO the facilities of commerce, as relates
question: OF easy access and cheaper transpor.
tion that it strange the country, while making the
most rapid strides aud progress in every direction,
should continae TO be hampered by still continuing
obstacles which easily be removed.
THE PLAN PROPOSED
Tho plan now offered tor the Improvement of the
Harlem River so as afford navisabe ship canal of
$50 feet wide fifteen feet Deep Is one Of the most
fruitful and feasible sources OF granting mucn
needed relief TO millions OF square miles OF territory
in the Northwest ana manifo'd commercial ana agri-
cultural interests Indeed, no project so simple and
comparatively inexpensive has been offered, nor one
so well calculated TO produce such considerable ad-
vantagcs as the opening Of the Harlem River, SO
as to secure another great highway 10 the
world from the Continent Of Asia across the
American Continent via Port Norris at the
confluence of the waters OF tho East and Harlem
Rivers aud Long Island Sound. Major General John
Newton, United States Army, in his annual report
OF 1875, as engineer IN charge OF the Improvement
of Now York Harbor, has most ably discussed the
whole question From this It appears that the work
would most largely productive OF beneficial and
widespread advantages AZ but small expense. while
securing great national achievements
coMPrRoLLER GREEN'S REPORT.
As far back as 1868 Mr. Andrew H. Green, In his
report as Comptroller Of the city of New York. aud
representing the Park Commission. discusses The very
Important proposition OF improving the navigation
OF Tue HARLEM River. He appends the following per-
tinent extracts to his report
These really but river Or rather they are az
the with oss Of the north side Of th cS ~ and can
only be popsy sssr wsy for this
:sy' s9y las a TS.%ss IN "a; u;
iail tie .ds: ths la.me. s.mssi~ss y.
y
and s s s,Sss hs @
It's easy debouchment into both rivers The ials Of rain
s on
@ cA
island sound through ths Harlem sivsr with greater
Ss~ssn Ssp.s shs this. city W and Albany
M Us. L Without ss' .ssn detailing
Results to be anticipated from such Improvement is
the travel between Hivsr aud the Of the
Eastern Than twenty mile; around inc
crowded tns. .si, the CITY ana IL co1nss-
crease facilities OF foreign traffic by the sound
BEFORE TIE COMMITTEE
The deputaion was beard ny tho Committee on
Mr. LYONS said that the OF ST. 0OO 0oo
asked Tor the purpose Of making water way be.
tween tue North and East rivera cutting into naives
the island OF New York. He explained 70 Inc com.
mittss the course of the North and East rivers and
the flow their tides and The Typographical conDg-
uraton OF the island He referred TO the TACT that
tnere Is at present but one grain elevator
now on the East River Between Sixty-Aith street
and l35,h street. on the hudson River. on account
Of high Duns the location Of elevators is prac-
impossiblity as financial Investment. he ex-
planned difficulty OF getting tho grain oi The North.
the North River and up 70 ths point on the
East River between piers Nos. and no. which 10 tha
only place apart tor them he said the percentage
ol loss IN collision larger rounding tho end VI
New York island at Battery southern extremity
than all the losses and collisions on the lakes ana
during the rest OF the transit he showed
the expenses IN the use OF tug6oats 10 get
the gram OF the West to where u is wanted
for Shipment BY tho proposed canal on the Harlem
River he proceeded TO prove that all this expense de-
lay could DO avoided and the products oi
the coud be brought TO wnere there was seventy
teot OF water foating tuo largest known ships. Tue
easness of through the Sound TO the sea was
much superior 10 That by way OF sandy HOOK at
the po,nr wnero the Improvement OF the Harlem
River is 10 commence the Great Eastern was enaolod
to iay up when she found her effort impossible 10
cross the bar Of Sandy Hook, where she remained
the crop of grain, II reduced cent per bushc az
IL would De by this Harlem River Improvements, would
make difference 10 the gram producing region OF the
country OF $400O0O0 per year saved in the mode OF
deposit ana Gust OF going around the island oil New
YORK These exp xpenses are very large he read
port from Inc Auditor OF tho Canal Department OF the
State oil New York, which showed The following re-
suts:-
The Auditor says
s dsvs f aeSGns one Bar
tmos and New Orleans from January 70 Noysmbsr III
q 70 The 5 1S ss.ss IN S Il ssas as
BY tue Eric ana caamplain canal. from the % open,
ing so1s MGvi%oss ,o ~ s su.n.s Ssan.
bushels tor TIE z period IN sS Ss an
sSao io bushels in the recsipt ~ Western laks and
river ports and decrease Of bushels In tae
yet there has increase In the deliveries a. s,ds
bushels Can it, then, be said that the canals
have lost their usefalnessf
cost OF production and supplies 10 the Northwest as
great benefit not limited 70 any particular Sec
ton IN the benefits TO be derived
SHIPMENTS
The following are statistics regard 10 the n-
crease oil grain shipments at the city OF New York,
and the decrease IN points of delivery attne lake
ports:-
The Of -four and grain from the opening
of the canals to August 1871 as compared with the pre-
vious year, was as toows:-
Tons.
From opening to August /. .1s77........... 39l,
From OPENING to August L. lS76........... 3Sf, 70l
Gain in 1877 6,6l3
From August the car and grain shipments ncrsa.sd
that date the total movement thereof as co
'- Tons.
From August l. 1877 to Dece m ber 8 l02O.9l3
From August 4 1870 To close ............ 5SI,biA
Gain in 1877 7............... ......... 43y,2D9
The advantages TO be derived extended to every
producer oil bushei oi grain So tar a. the consiaer-
alton to New York Is concerned she Is the mere point
Of deposit The coutre OF exchange because tue est,
Northwest, south and Southwest are represented IN
the city oil New ork. Therefore, Mr.. Lyons insisted
that tnis was not consideration 10 the city oi NOW
v..rk uIA