New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-11-13
THE PLANS or THE DOCK BOARD.

The plan of waterfront Improvement which
the Dock Board has had under consideration for
a good while and formally adopted on Monday
has all the appearance of a praiseworthy adj
vance in municipal administration. 1t is an en-
terDrising movement of Il somewhat novel char
acter but it reflects Il prudent rather than n
speculative temper, and promises to be fnan-
cially advantageous to the city. while promoting
the general credit and welfare. Without refer
ence to suspicious of wrOngdoing on the part
of Dock Department officials in years past, it
must be universally conceded that the develop
ment of the waterfront, whether under private
or public management. has not been crcdtable
TO this great commercial metropolis. It's aspect
has always beer extraordinarily shabby and
forlorn. imprcssing everybody whose perceptions
had not been duled by familiarity, with its ugli
ness and nadequacy. and especially causing
strangers coming i'll from the sea to wonder at
the contrast between the gifts of Nature and
the operations of man. 1t has been constant
example of neglected opportunities, and a con-
scquent reproach to a wealthy prosperous and
energetic community
The Dock Board now proposes to begin work
Of systematic Improvement and to proceed pru-
IDENTIFY and ntegenty from the outset. TO this
end ii has resolved to create a consulting board
of engineers 10 whom all important plans shall
hc referred and has selected for the purpose
three experts of undisputcd ability and large
experience Under their advice such mistakes
As have frequently complicated and deformcd
public undertakings will be avoided in the de-
velopment of the waterfront, and the people will
have a substantial guarantee that their money
will be wisely as well as honestly invested.
1t has also been resolved, in pursuance of this
policy. to secure plans for combined pier and
warehouse of the best type, fitted with the latest
appliances for handling freight. the expectation
being that such an OUTFIT will be profitably EN-
ployed on public account and will act as slim
illus to private enterprise. With such a model
in operation it is altogether probable that the
effects of competition would soon begin to APP
pear, and that the longed-for transformation Of
the waterfront would proceed thereafter in
systematic and intelligent manner however
slowly But progress ought not TO be extremely
slow If the calculations of the Dock Commits
sioners are sound FOR their intention is 10 con
tnue on large scale their own work Of develop
mcnt in case their first venture is successful.
1t seems to lis that there is nothing TO fear In
this scheme Heretofore there has been just
cause for apprehension when municipal i'm
provement Of large dimensions was preached,
lest the execution Of it should involve an L.
norant and INSCRIPTIONS use of public money
and inure to the advantage of politicians and
contractors instead CT the city. Against such an
outcome Of this enterprise security is provided
in the character of the Dock Commissioners
themselves and, further than that, in the high
quality and repute Of the consulting engineers
who are about to be brought into the service OF
the department.
We are convinced that intelligent citizens will
agree that this is the spirit in which the public
ought to he served and that the particular work
proposed is which the public comfort and
prosperity demand. There has been vast
amount Of selfish Incidence and still more selfish
activity in the management Of the immense
municipal business Of New-YOrk A new era of
enlightenment and progress is exceedingly well
come.