The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-03-24

York city. There never yet was a wise commercial
not broad and generous policy The Erie Canal
is and will continue to lie the key to
the commerce OF the Atlantic seaboard, and
though it may secnl-the vast railway traffic that
drains the products of the West into our seaboard
cities, Holding the Erie Canal New York holds the
power to compel traffic into her matcless harbor,
and. Notwithstanding Legislative laundering lack of
public spirit and shortsghtenass il policy she will
continue to hold her high rank among the great COM
mercial cities OF the world.''
TIE COMPETING LINES
.Then you would claim that the success OF one
line OF transportation to New York is the Of
"Undoubtedly. The management of the New York
Central and Erie and the canal may rival each other
as they will. The simple truth is that every thing
that helps New York helps everybody or every COM
forests are really mutual however sharp may be
their temporary bids for traffic"
'Then suppose the Erie should by means of the
tunnel obtain an increase of the carrying trade.
would it not be at the expense of the Central?''
according to my view it would but increase It.
stimulates every agent Of traffic i'll that direction
You may get to the sea cheaper by Baltimore and
Montreal but it is not yet the fashion of ships to
from the to those ports and there is no sue
cessful commerce without return cargoes."
THE TUNNEL COMPANY.
sTo come back to details. is there any company
organized and ready to do the work of tunneling?"
II am told there is and that the laws of New Jersey
have been fully complied with. A shaft has already
been sunk on the Jersey shore and work commenced
by the Hudson Tunnel Company. Their capital is
corporated under the laws of New York, they
already under those of New Jersey. The president
| have had two or three interviews. Mr.. Haskin.
am satisfied, knows what he is about. and, at any
rate. if he does not construct tunnel will not at
| all events saddle the city with burdensome debt
like that created by the Brooklyn Bridge If my bill
becomes law and he and his associates undertake
the task and fail then nobody will be hurt but them
solves. But do not believe such project fail.
The cost compared with the advantage is SO trhing
that 1t must succeed. Mr.. Haskin is gentleman Of
oia1
| public. He has been identified with many Of the
great engineering projects of California. where his
skill and enterprise have developed the gold and sill
| mines of the Sierra Nevadas."
Suppose the tunnel is constructed; will it be de-
| voted to any other purposes than railroads 2?
II apprehend not; though there is really no rea-
son why tunnel might not be constructed that
would be profitable for carriage road for street
cars In fact believe that you and will live to
not only one but more tunnels under the Hudson
River. 1t is easy and hardly expensive than
to build bridge. For the present, however, do
not suppose any tunnel will be constructed except
for the Of carrying into and from the centre
of New York freight and passengers by steam"
THE WORK TO DE ACCOMPLISHED.
"How long will it take to construct tunnel like
this %
II am assured that it can be done within two
years."
'Do you think have the engineering skill in this
country to construct tunnel under waterY
II do not doubt that We have; but, If not we have
the whole world to choose FROM and there plenty
of engineers who have shown their capacity in SINH
lar undertakings in other countries
Doctor, without desiring to annoy you too much
with questions. have you any idea how the tunnel
| people will get their money back?"
"Of course from the railroads that use the tun-
mel. by the tolls to be charged the freight and
passengers.
NO MONOPOLY For ANYBODY.
Would there not be danger of the tunnel being
monopo liz, by q single company ay =, -
have equal rights OF transit, thus destroying all
| chance OF monopoly"
as it contemplated that the railroads entering the
| city by the tunnel would in place come the
surfaceY
"The bill specially provides that they shall be
'They cannot. then. be in any sense street rail-
| roads nor elevated railroads.
"Not at all; the bill forbids it."
"How will this tunnel be constructedY'
II have told you all know about the project
and as have told you before my business is only
| to provide such law as will retain for New York
city that pre-eminence in commerce to which she.
q of' the state" '' ' ~
..Have you any idea that the provisions of your
bill win be avaiied Of in any other part Of the
state?'
II should think they would. 1t certainly would,
as it appears to me. greatly benefit the New York
Central road IL they could tunnel under Rochester.
| and while l do not think of any special locality
are for the general good and to the advantage OF in
land transportation but the great thing is that it
would concentrate the railroads Of the North in
| grand depot on Manhattan Island and 1t takes no
prophet to foretell the consequences"
NECESSITY OF BETTER TERMINAL FAcILITIEs.
"You have spoken, Doctor, of New Yorks lack
of terminal facilities. II not troubling you too
much, would like to ask you to specify more par
| ticularly.'
"Whst mean ia that there is great lack of facili-
ties for receiving and distributing freghts of which
there are In q general way three classes-freghts
that consumed in way and another in the city
| and frcghts that are sent away by rail to the
South and East. Both of these two latter classes
| should be as far rs possible distributed under
ground, while the wharves should be left free
| practicable tor tho first class. It may all DO ex-
| pressed in few words. We have not the proper
facilities for handling passengers and freight in the
quickest time and at the lowest cost. There is a
inssion in rates; but what is really wanted,
| IL New York is to retain her commercial
| told you. New York is to-day probably
the greatest receiving and distributing point the
world. The widest dreams OF the Imagination can
1t is all very well to say et the future take care of
ITSELF but success In the present is very often de-
pendent upon the evidences that are shown Of prepa
now. and = selfish policy for the present would
be the exhibition of generous policy for
coming years in new legislation to anticipate
those which would invite. We are too
apt to look only to our matchlcss water
front. and while thinking Of the narrowness of the
island. disregard our internal needs To say
nothing Of our local distribution for manufacture
and consumption, our wharf conveniences really
not sufficient for our foreign shipments. The
valuable classes OF goods 90 to stores and ware
houses away from the water. and the utterly
10 meet WHAT come 10 DC necessity.
The handling of the freight which is received ut
the wharves to be again shipped ut the wharvcs, to-
gether with the room required for ferryboats steam
boats and other local vessels occupies nearly all the
water front space. and this demand is on the
increase faster than ill-organized dock system
provides; and therefore 1t is that all of the
water front that can be done away with should
cease, and thoy will cease only when other
means DO provided Cleared of use
less encumbrances by the creation Of
system OF underground handling. and every known
facility furnished on the water front. such good
wide slips, broad wharvcs, elevators for grain,
warehouses for storing freight. and. in course
OF time large basins for the convenience
of ships. New York would be prepared.
AZ Governor Avord would say, for the coming
future" n these are not provided within the city
limits. the class of freight to which refer will OF
necessity 20 to Jersey City, Long Island rival
cities that will furnish the proper facilities.
RELIEVE WATER FRONT.
"rhe question. then, is simply how to relieve the
water front of the aggregation of freight ut tho many
railway stations and other landing places on the river
and to reduce the cost that accompanies such
freight received, sent forward and to be distributed
in the city rescrvng the water front for the freight
which absolutely neels IL think Won will find for