New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1879-10-24
nIGRrs on mn WAllR fAONE

THE QUESTION or Authority HEIwErN III" DOCK
DEPARTMENT AND TUE H.RBOR MAsIrrs-Tow-
HRS AND pUuFs or BOTH.
In relation To the con dict Of authority between
the Dock Commissioners and the llarbor Masters
in the matter of assigning berth at pier !. North
River, 10 the Old Dominion Steamship Company.
while its per was rebuilding, Dock Commissioner
Vanderpocl said recently that he doubted II the
Canaan of the Port would interfere any further
a. it Was perfectly plain that 10y the laws OF 1872
the Dock Board may appropriate any of such
wharves, pioIs, bul,hcads. basins or slips TO the
sole use of special kinds OF commerce. This was
what the Board had done. Many applications had
been made for the lease OF the pier at $4,000 a
wear If il could De made saie for vessels 10 le
there. As il would he necessary L. buld "A break
wafer costing at least S2OO.OOo. 20 aYoid damage
IN stormy weather the Department concluded TO
keen il ur tLc U-, Of transient shipping, and 70 M
formed The Captain of the Port. The per had been
used for excursion steamers during the summer,
and for steam and sailing vessels not belonging 20
amy particular line. II nad boon reported that the
Urhnr Master in charge OF the district had allowed
canal boats laden with coal TO N" There ms class
Of vessels paid - cents a day Wharfage, while
Other vessel when "Hnl' pay ll"in fiJ u" ~! 4
coal should be uuloadcd there, as II Injured the
dock very much.
Mr. Vanderpocl further said that the facilities
for -ica usIp line, Oh the water iront were in-u-
! hclcHt. ald that there were seven aupcat ms tor
/ P,er III N0rfh River, now rebuilding. The National
! LINE and the North German Lloyds Were among
| the applicants.
The Captain e the Port said that the waterfront
/ WIS divided into eleven districts, with ha'b
ulasfrf inI each. Their duties were To assign suit
ab g. accoumoda ions Tor al vessels. regulate them
in The tiuns ard remove from time To such
| vessels ~ were not employed IN receiving or dis
! charging caIgOc~ 10 make room for hcrs. lie did
moi intend 10 interfere with the Old Dominion Line,
but simply gave notice To The Dock Commi -aicncrs
that he understood his duties and did not wish 20 be
/ dictated 10.
The snipowucis did not feel that there 10 bo
a conflict of authority, hui recognized the author
ny OF the harhOr masters and cons dcIcd the hoard
necessary. When the law allow ny masters 10 collect
fees from vessels. amounting 20 = cents pri ton
each voyage, was declared IL egal, the >hlpovuets
Association dcciicd 10 cuntinuc PAYING the lees.
since then the cOa,twIse steamship companies have
also agreed To pay certain amounts. Ic others VINO
J decline TO paw the fees tine haibOr masters rciu,c
their services. j. said that before General DIX
/ Wis elected Governor there was system VI PUN
I drung, ANA III some cases the haIbnr master de-
maitasd luuin 4 vessel much ah IL 90 Tor "a good
! berth. Governor DIX recognized the Board. and
! appointed only those ia ~ acquainted with thr
needs If shipping. Du1 sg the idsi two years I'ul
REMOVAL. lave Icd, ~ h. clWlnrd, 20 make TO- u
! ior Democrats. without }, gard to qual H. alton. J.
| vas said recently that Tie system oi " special
fees" had been revived to some extent. and II ials
! continued abe Shp-Ownrrs Association would not
nav REGULAR fees. and the haIyOr masters would DO
/ without any revenue.