New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-02-01
MORO ROOM FOR COMMERCE.


Lakes to the Atlantic ocean is practicable, and
would If executed, doubtless prove profitable
As a problem in engineering it is a mere trihe,
compared with Others which have been sue
cessfully completed. and as a problem in
finance it is not over-formidable. 1t might even
be carried to so complete fulfment that the
largest ocean liners could make an unbroken
run from Duluth to Liverpool or from Chicago to
Hamburg: but that, for obvious reasons, Is not
desirable and will probably never be attempted
What is proposed, and what should be accom-
plished, is to enable large barges and steamers
navigating the Lakes to bring their cargoes
through to tidewater without breaking bulk,
so that after the load of flour or grain or what
not is put aboard at a western lake port. it will
not be disturbed or handled again until it
reaches the warehouse or the ocean steamer at
New York.
For such a waterway an adequate ocean ter
minus must be provided. 1t must Of course, be
az New-York. This is the only possible ter
minus for it, But even New'York is not ready
for it now. and that fact suggests the part of
the problem which is most pertinent to this
State and municipality. There is no Disgusting
the fact that shipping facilities have. not kept
pace with the growth of the city and the de-
mands Of its commerce. The docks and piers
of the lower part Of Manhattan Island are al
ready ovcrcrowdsd. So are the waters Of the
East River. The statement was made only the
other day. and made advisedly. that the cost
of some Of the chief necessarics of life was
increased beyond what it should be TO the peo-
pie of this city because of the lack Of dock
room for receiving and handling supplies. Some
of the steamship lines have sought terminals
in Jersey City and Hoboken which should
have been kept in New-YOrk, and a probably
futile attempt is now proposed to WOO them
back by lengthenng and improving some Of
the New-York piers. These and other facts de-
monstrate the necessity of charging the ship
ping facilities of New-York, even for present
needs, not to mention the needs which the Deep
Waterway will in future create.
The question then arises where such extern
sion is to be made. 1t IS evident that ii cannot
be on the North River front The "lay of the
land prccludcs it. Above Seventy -second-st.
the river is lined with lofty bluff, devoted to
park and residential purposes. Docks and
warehouses established at the foot of that bluff
would be 100 much isolated from the industrial
mass Of the city. The same objection applies
largely to South Brooklyn and Staten Island.
even after they have become part of the one
great metropolis. The East River front is al
ready overcrOwded There remains therefore,
only the head Of the Sound, on which the main.
land part Of the city now borders for many
miles. Happily. 1t will be found on examina.
ton admirably 10 suit the purpose.
Geographically it is near the heart of the
city, and every year will make it nearer the
centre Of population and industry. 1t is much
nearer TO the Lakes than is the old part Of the
harbor, and also much nearer all Eastern
United States and Transatlantic ports. 1t has
the advantage Of a land-locked harbor, with
water deep enough to float the largest vessels
that ever have been or will be built and SINH
larly deep passageway to the ocean, along
which no bars and shoals are to be found and
on which the time Of high and low tides need
not be considered. From that point transit to
and from Europe would be some hours shorter
than by the old route, and probably safer
There would be no thought Of abandoning the
passage through the Bay. The water front Of
lower Manhattan Island would still be thronged
with shipping. But new harbor and n new
route would be provided to meet the expan-
sion Of commerce which the old harbor and
old route cannot possibly accommodate. but
which it Is the manifest destiny of this city to
enjoy If only the New-York Of today shall have
the courage and enterprise of its vast oppor-
tunties.