New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-02-14
FOR A BIG DRYDOCK.
PLANS DISCUSSED BY MAYOR AND THE
COMMISSIONERS.


THORPE THE ISSUE OF $500 900 BONDS FOR
THE PURCHASE OF ADDITIONAL
DOCK PROPERTY.
The fact that Mayor Strong and the Dock
Commissioners had formed plans for the build
ing of a drydock in this city large enough to
hold the biggest ship aloat made public
for the first time at meeting Of the sinking
Fund Commission in the Mayors Office yester-
day. Mayor Strong introduced thu subject IN
talking about a proposition by the Dock Com
missioners to ask for legislation which would
authorize an issue Of So 100000 in bonds for the
purchase of additional dock property for the
city, He said that he and the Dock Commits
sioners had been considering n proposition to
ask the Legislature to increase the bond allow
ance of the Dock Department from s3'OOO.Ooo
to s. 900 OOO but he had decided to oppose such
legislation.
Controller Fitch said that ne uld oppose
any such legislation He had talked with Presi-
dent O'Brien. of the Dock Board. he said. and
had declared that he would fight PROPOSE
ton to increase the bond allowance. as the city
was now heavily loaded down with debt.
81 am opposed to raising the allowance.
Mayor Strong said, "but l think that the city
ought to have drydock large enough to admit
the entrance Of the largest ships afoat. 1t is a
not have facilities to dock the big ships when
they are injured Think Of the St. Paul having
to go to Newport News to be repaired! The
merchant marine Of this port sadly needs some
attention in this direction 1t Is my intention
to have a bill presented to the Legislature en-
towering us to build drydock large enough
to hold the biggest ship afioat. l think such
dock is a necessity to the city, and believe
1t would be a good investment for the city.
Such a dock, I think, could be built for about
100000 or a little more. The greatest expense
to us would b, in cOndemning property along
the river front in order to get site for the
dock
II think the drydock should be 700 or 500 feet
long. and wide enough for the widest of our
ships. have had talk with Commodore
Sicard. Of the Navy and he tells me that the
Government ships including the largest OF the
battle-ships. require smaller dock than the
ocean liners. which have great width of beam
The dock now beng built In the Navy Aard
being taken measure l think that tne
drydock We want to build would cost only
$500 OO0 Such dock would advarce the snip
ming interests of this country. / believe that
nearly all of the foreign seaport ci'les operate
their own drydocks, either through their DOCK
departments or by letting the docks by contract
to the highest bidders -,
City Chamberlain McCoOK ana Alderman VI
colt expressed their approval OF the Mayor
views. Mayor Strong said later 10 'rlouil.
reporter that the Dill WOuiu liOt NC N'""
tho MIA ms for a drydocI had been completed
The Sinking Fund Commission Yesterday au-
thoriZed the Corporation Counsel to draw q
lcas. for new quarters for the Department OF
Public Works in the American Tract Society
new building at Nassau and Spruce SITS Inc
Department will occupy a portion OF the odSe-
me1t a portion Of the ground floor and the
entire seventeenth floor of the building at an
annual rental of $4,000, and the lease VIII cOn-
tnue for five years , 49,. -, .ho
The dispute between Controller Fitch ana me
Police Board over the plans for a new ponce sla-
tion in Charles-st was not aired again YESTERDAY
as the report Of a subcommittee on the SUP
iect was laid over unread until next Monday
There was the same action on Propo prop s.N,.
70 move the Fire Department repair shops from
West Thrd-st. A letter which the Mayor mao
received from the Police Board protesting
against the delay Of Controller Fitch IN paying
the Incidental expenses Of detectives got niNe9
up with tie papers before the Sinking runa
Commission ty mistake, and when MI fltSh
discovered II he hastily returned IL 10 tne
Mayor. 1t will be presented at the next meet
ing Of the Board Of Estimate ana Appof''o"