The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1896-01-07
STUDYING OUR DOCKS
Several Massachusetts Officials Pay a
Visit to and Inspect Our iIarbor.
WANT TO IMPROVE BOSTON HARBoa
They Have visited The European
Ports aud Arc Now Inspecting
Those Tia the Southland OF Uncle
SANS DomninA visit to Capt. w.
IL. Mayo, Ofthe IEnrbur Ro,ard.

Last April the Massachusetts Legts-
iature passed an act to provide for an
lnVestigut ton OF the wants of the port of
Boston 70: AN improved system OF docks
anu wharves. and terminal facilities in
connection herewith. The AIT provided
Tor the appointment Of a State Board
on Docks and Terminal Facilities and
MesslS. woodward Emery, j. II. Lceson
ana Clinton White were appointed
This board was given power to visit
any pert in the world to obtain the in
formation desired. which included con-
sideration and investiga ton OF the fol-
lowing subjects:
First. The policy of IL public owner
ship and control OF docks and whnrvcs;
the advantages and disadvantages of
this form of control in other ports Of the
United States; the extent to which 1t has
been adopted In foreign ports. and the
reason why II has been considered cs-
Scntial to commercial development in
certain ScaportS.
Second. If the system of public OWN
ership of docks and wharves is else
where OF general public advantage, can
such a, system be established in Boston
with advantage TO the public interests.
In view of the existing ownership of
docks and wharves in that city ana the
conditions under which the commerce
of the port is carried on?
Third. III public ownership of IL SyS-
TEN of decks and wharvcs IN Boston
Is advisable, in wha; manner can the
necessary water front best lie acquired
and improved and used 50 als to prac-
tically iraugurate such Il system ?
What will be the probable cost of such
an undertaking? In what way can the
| needed money best be obtained? How
should i: be expended, and who and
what auth rity or agency should have
charge of the construction of new
docks, and the maintenance Of the
system when in operation? 1t Is ndvis-
IN, u. \,
the ownership and control of all or
any of the flats in Boston harbor not
HOW owned by the city of Boston?
Fourth What changes are necessary
in regard 10 railroad terminal facilities
and connections with said docks ana
whnrvts? Does the public necessity
and convenience in connection there
with require the abolition of any grade
crossings OF highways G railroads: and
IL 50. how can the same be accomplish
cd?
Fifth. Has business been diverted
from Boston or from any other portt1l
| nf the Cnmmonwy:l lth by discrimination
! in the matter of freight or wharfage
charges, or fer amy other reason: and
| If so, can the present conditions be
remcdied?
Mcssrs Emery and Lecson have re-
Gently returned from trip to Europe
where the several foreign docks We're in
spectcd and Yesterday MeSsrs. Emery
and White, the President and Secretary
| Of the Board. were i'm Norfolk ON thCI,
way South. They called on Captain ",
K. Mayo. Chairman of the Board al
Harbor Commissioners, and had a
long conference with him rs to the
docks i'm this harEor. They will visit
every port in the South a. far as New
| Orleans and will make their report Ia
the Massachusetts Legislature in Feb
ruary next. They expressed themselves
| as much pleased with this harbor.