New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-03-11
RELIEF On THE WATER 'FRONT.'.
A STRONG LETTER TO TIE GOVERNOR
ASKING THE APPOINTM nj OF HAr9OR MASTERS
ANARCHY NE PORI.

ANARCHY IN HE PORT.
The chaotic condition Of thing, III this harblr a'
set for h IN lie TRIBUNE last Monday mas stirred
up the merchants and sh ppeis of the port to take
action in he matter and one firm, Mcssrs. Clark Il
| Wilkins Awood dealers of West-sr.. has addressed
a strong letter to Governor I'M on the subject
This lie ter based on the personal experiences Of
/ the writers. Like many others they have suffered
from the need OF some with authority to govern
/ and regulate Shipping. and the story they tell
serves 10 illustrate the statements made in this
paper abont the abuses that flourish along the
water front in consequence Of the absence of IA
proper controlling body of officials.
The letter is an elaborate document. but some
extracts from it will serve 10 show its character.
Here for example is what is SAID about the prevail
ing lawlcssness:
The conflict for precedence and securing Of their
rights land. regulated by the strong
arm the law. No recognized authority exists among
the shipping In the harlo person with authority to
move vessels assign them berths enforce their
right to IS hoi that this authority is vested
in the STATE and that the state has now representation
here. The Commissioners Of Docks, who naturally
looked the authority, confess their
poweIcssness in the natter Their representatives are
conceded have power the collection NJ revenue
from the docks. Of;entimcs they order vessels into
aud OF bcrths. II the master Of the vessel refuses
to obey, there is end Of the matter As result
the ranks OF the ldNltss Tttiu'H ~ I"Pi"
that class Of otherwise good citizens who have
been hndcred imposed upon, and subjected ~ great
pccuniery loss by this element
Several striking Illustrations Of those facts ar
given Here is one that is termed " the GROWING
evil:
II being conceded that vessel can be lcrthci and
kept in tie same continuously conspiracy like
this arans, the users Of the docks FOR lg innate loading
and schargng In entered into. For instance, Instead
Of hiring place OF business dealer We Will call him.
hires old boat OF any kind selects place that SUITS
him for the transaction ~ his business. makes his Vc-.
f, IN the dock and does not move her for months perhaps
years Merchandise Is brought from different city and
harbor termini and this boat tho as
it was warehouse the land Lighters and other
vessels bring the merchandise from various points ia
the harbor and al scharcc the outside of the vessel
Trucks bring merchandise from various parts % the cy
and unload on the vessel the wharf side. Whether
any vessels the outside dscharrine. or whether
or not the boat Ia. pound ncrcband ~ board the
dealer holds his grip the berth and never even -acAn7
line for accommodation's sake. Docs he pay wharfage
tho Dock Department, Certainly. from 20 cents To
60 per day according to slgc. It would '""m there
fore that department must recognize the rght "i
vessel % occupy a berth continuously.
That the Dock Comm -sIoners are well nigh now
crlrss To remedy matters Is shown by an appeal {"
that Board by Clark n wilkins. last November,
rsquc>ting The Comni~ ~ipufrs t. conirl some nav
haigcs wing IN The sip AZ West Elcvcntn-~i. ~
make room for n schooner belongng In lark
WI k,us There were vacant b,rfhs Tor the schoon-
one for ihc craft The Commas. ncr-. the hrn
states. were determined 10 force Tcco-n-
ton Of their authority by the lie men,
maintaining that no vessel had tho night 10 h"ld
berth continuously. The barge owners were told
that they must move but add the writer's. me
hargcs have not been moved. and their Owners ana
chartcIcrS declare there Is no power 80 make them
move. hey continue IN The same position, dong
exactly III" same business
Another result Of the present system. or ra'h'r
absence OF system. l. the u,c of docks Tor store
houses. ndcr former coustTuctlou.' th"wrlicrs
say. " II was held to Ice law mat uuIoad'd caiG"
should not he permitted To lie ON the docks
more than twenty -four hours and then no,
within fifteen feet of the hulkh"ad or whai
line. All over the city lumber. brick and many
other materials are piled on the d 'ckS ana II'
there. Tins answers two purposes II saves hph'f
20 the owner VITO would have 70 pay rem n : T
storing II elsewhere ara - derives Others 90 me
privilege of using The dock berth lcgltimh'rF I"
load and uuloai other vessels.
lmmr,iltc If not cutiTr iclei from trc'" 'N'i,
Nes~r-. Clark * wilkins think nav Poe 90 il'rh
hv rcsorflug 80 the Cd pracflc" 90 app 'lhlihI
IlarboT VI sicrs On thi- point they say
We nay -..n. liac u.e who AIi- u." -.' '"'i'
can fu~aa hut wc positively assert tit fhD p."'r cN
crc..-i lv fc late Uarhor Masters % hon 'r ll' BOO
force tomorrow would double TO- woranr cliarN ~
fhe water front a~ prc-ant occupied, thH "r have
laws enough. al n'ed only ue.r enforcement We
earnestly hoie thar you may your rnf clear o. FFP
u- Official, cho VIII rcprent th" Sat" in Ties" matters
and authorize them O. r,rat" Oh" p-t'n - ''-'7 'h
this haror and protect GUY vhartcs 900 r. legitimate u
..I and az iII Il