New-York tribune., 1896-12-06
. n,NNER FOR GEN. O'BRIEN
,,,xc INTERESTS HONOR THE DOCK
BOARDS PRESIDENT.

PLEASANT GATHERING AT THE WALDORF
.nnRrssEs BY TIE GUEST OF THE EVEN
ING CONGRESSMAN HOOKER
AND OTHERS
-, ,bo friends OF New-York City's COM
NO. gathered in the Hotel Waldorf last evening
me,.' .onor 10 General Edward c. O'Brien. presi-
~ ~, Of the Dock Board 1t was large and en-
oen' o',..,,c dinner party. which took pleasure on
mus ,ossible occasion in cheering General
ery r who sat in the seat OF honor. at the right
~. postmaster. John W. Nrooman. There were
aral addresses complimentary TO the General
se'.' s,s actvity in behalf OF the water commerce
s.0 s c,,v and number Of toasts were
sponded to- .~,ucaa os ,es,,ror,,, -
,..araI OBrien's work in helping to make the
.snt Republican water parade the great success
oroved 10 be and his efforts In behalf of the
80, amendment 10 the Constitution Of 1894 H.
n Noore ir William T. Cleary. president of the
iroa, owners Association; F. b. Daze.
carancr secretary of the Board OF Trade
"a Transportation; George Osgood Lord and Her
INV Oelrlchs got together at luncheon one day
,d launched the project or small dinner ior
c.neral OBrien. When this plan became nolsed
sou, IN shipping circles there was much en-
-oremcnt for II that the small dinner devel-
ned into an extensive subscription one.
,,ocrv = D,mock appointed the chairman
81 a committee of arrangements, and with him
..xo associated Darwin X. James, AlfreU Komer
r.nderck B Dalzel and II. r. Moore tr. Hermann
n,r,cbs was selected as toas.naster for the
,n hi, AZ the last moment he was called to Chi
oaso ar. business and John W. Vrooman consented
10 act in his paVe'
w,,h Mr. Vrooman at the table Of honor sat Cen
<r., O,Rrten Senator Thomas II. Carter. Congress-
non Warren B. Hooker. ex-senator Warner Mil
,ar Congressman James S. Sherman. Interstate
Commerce Commissioner Martin A Knapp John
wise Franklin Edson George Clinton. Edward
1su,erbach John Jerooman. Recorder Gof. Judge
" " Goodrich James ]. Beden, William Brook
cold General Anson G. McCook William r. Grace
Smith Ely. Darwin r. James and Henry l.. Elm
stein.
After the dinner Mr.. James made few remarks in
,,oducng the POSTMASTER. John W. Vrooman. and
read a telegram just received from Mr.. Oelrchs in
CHICAGO. saying that he was drinking to the health
OF General O'Bren and al! his friends gathered at
the dinner.
GENERAL OBRIEN'S SPEECH.
Mr. vrooman introduced General OBrien with
short complimentary speech after which the guest OF
the evening spoke in part as follows:
The problem which now presents Itself TO the
people Of Greater New-York is how TO improve
their magnificent harbor so as TO conform It's IA
cilities 10 the demands of the present day The
possibilities Of the Haroor OF a are % 50 he ihe
commerce of the city tnat the problem OF ade-
OF is to end No cy on as the TO face see
Of the globe has to-day grander prospects tnan IN
NJ city which has greater need for the exercise
Of prescience and vigorous effort The harbor "a
abreast Of the times Then the pier $50 feet in
ps 50 ana feet % in ieS wdh IL sppa " need Of the
shipping OF the day. But to-day. in order TO ac-
from 7Co 10 500 feet in length and l25 feet in width.
with slips 80 feet in width. for ships are being
snd on the Side Of the slip where barees
laden with coal and great hoa5s laden with with ner-
radical changes The highest civil engineering and
skill has been brought into 5 shdy
water and below water. The process Of evolution
business brings him in contact with maritime af.
fairs clearly sees that the wharfage facilities Of
tain extent measures in the nature of reconstruc-
lion must be adopted This is indicated not only
ordns faci,i'es equal TO and
in advance OF the me Of b
tween the railroad car and ship p,o-,,, .,o.s
which have taken place during the last forty years
YoIk sfsai Rse Wes The lake Erie Canal and Hudson
Nver route secured that monopoly But that is OF
hStc seaports enjoys nearly equal facilities for
% Reses sas y 5pT News nd
New-Orleans and Galveston are rapidly coming 10
sSns9ce tSs rG3 Of 1o "Sf City carried by rail-
therefore Of the most important probIems IN
how 10 associate the railroad car and the ship in
the most economical way Inc achievements al
FOREIGN AND INTERNAL COMMERCE.
In the improvement OF our harbor facilities Il
would not only be absurd but In every way harm
full 10 attempt 10 discriminate between facilities
for internal commerce and for foreign commerce
The two are one and inseparable Goods exported
ere the product Of American labor. and first con-
s,,,u,e part OF our internal commerce. and goods
imported at once become part OF our internal
commerce Besides the association of internal
traAic with the facilities afforded for maritime
commerce there Is a great deal which demands
attention in the way Of adjusting coastwise and
foreign shipping interests in the commercial ana
consumptlve needs Of this city. There Is. in par
ticular great need Of Improvement in the line OF
sNording cheap and convenient facilities for sup
plying the 10000 inhabitants OF Greater New
York with food. The same Is true as 10 ruel pom
Tor domestic purposes and for the purpose OF de.
veloping power. The problem which presents itseii
Is complex one. IT Is not mere QUESTION W os
economies Of wharfage facilities. but question as
the best adaptation Of terminal facilities 70 me
social commercial and industrial needs of this
great port IL is one OF the largest and most com
pex economic questions OF the day.
DO share the fears Of those VINO hppie-
hend any serious diversion of commerce from the
port Of New-York. ! believe the growth OF this
for this port than for any other port in the coun
try Our harbor Is unrivalled by any other great
ssaport OF the world. The Hudson River and
Erie Canal afford unrivaed facilities for cheap
greatly improved. The Champlain Canal gives us
cheap water communication TO Canada ana It's
vast resources Of lumber Besides. no other sea
port has such splendid facilities for rail communi-
csuon With the entire country. ABOUT ~ per cen,
OF the merchandise exported from the United
States is exported from tho port OF NewYork. and
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