New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-07-08
TIE NEEDS OF COMMERCE.
INCREASED DOCK ROOM AND THE OPENING OF
THIRD GREAT WATERWAY.


THIRD GREAT WATERWAY.
To the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir: Our far-seeing Mayor seems to have a
prophetic vision which startles him from his usuai
composure for he has suddenly discovered that the
Port Of New-York Ia without proper dock room Tor
the commerce that should naturally come to this
city. Such Is the case. Notwithstanding that The
Tribune has been sounding the note OF alarm IN It's
editorials year after year. 1t was only the other
evening, at q Democratic mass-meeting held In
Caledonan Hall. that casting aside all illusions to
politics the Mayor declared that the commerce OF
the metropolis Of the United States was throtted
and restricted because the municipal authorities
had not provided the docking facilities necessary
for the handling and shipping OF the merchandise
that comes 10 this harbor.
Tina. was strong language for the Chief Magis-
trate Of the city that Is the acknowledged metrop
oils Of this continent. and that should, from us
geographical situation and advantageous surround
ings easily remain such to the end or time But
how can the municipal authorities supply the
want? The means Of doing so are near at hand, II
only they will open their eyes and see The lower
part Of Manhattan Island has already used up
every foot Of available land for the service OF Its
commerce. But commerce has outgrown those
facilities and so the waterfront must be EXTENDED
to the newer part Of the city. If not, commerce
will forsake this port, perhaps never 10 return
Every schooboy must know that there are three
great waterways giving approach to and exit from
the harbor of New-York. One Is the great Inland
route of the North River connecting with the Erie
Canal and the Great Lakes. second Is over the
sandbars and flats that stretch across from Coney
Island to Sandy Hook. These two are already IN
use, and have long been. The third, thus far
neglected for minor traffic. is by the splendid
deep water Of Long Island Sound. leading directly
to the spacious deep-water harbor at Port motifs.
where there Is ample harbor and dock room Tor all
the navies of the word At that point the Inland
traffic from the river and lakes and that from the
great trunk railroads come into Immediate con-
tact with that of the great transatlantic INES WIN
out a moments delay or dollars expense ior
lighterage or carriage.
To make Port Morris Of full avail 1t will be neces-
sary to complete the Harlem River Ship Canal
But that ought to be done speedily II surely
cannot be too great an undertaking Tor the uh'teo
States Government and its engineers II Is true
they have already had it in hand for twenty years
and It is not yet done 1t Is equally true that DE
Witt Clinton built The Erie Canal. 1863 miles long,
with 70 locks. in less than nine years. Is there 4
political economist who would venture to set LIMITS
10 the the a 1ni OF this Country
during the seventy years of is existenceI II so
he he, IN b put r 4 sr egh h @
Of the whole United States should reaze Tnas 'he
providins this great waterway from the lakes to
tde-watec for the transportation OF western western
p Wah has Ih bsen sh made Sys City and
New-York and by some Of the Eastern and Vest
ern States as we'll for Congress TO take steps 10
have the Harlem Ship Canal promptly and prop
erly completed and the Port Of New-fork thus ex-
banded to It's real capabilities ,,, -.
Then will be realized the sublime a an r,e OF
River Canal and the Long Island Sound TO form
the great transportation route from the heart o Of
this Western Continent to the markets or me ga
World with Port Morris as the great central point
OF transfer Is there political economist VINO VINO
COMPLETION and opening Of this route would be 10
the Commerce Of the entire United states ana even
NJ other countries? With steamers leaving fort
Morris for Europe daily on regular time schedule,
independent of the tide. the commerce OF me @
nrn world would converge upon this port as never
before NewYork would be TO- greater o oeg ;hs
eminent And the limit 10 the material penents
enjoyed by the Nation would y set at az, nave TO
he nrt in figures beyond the power OF the human
rnind r. comprehend. Millions would be mere
tribe The reckoning would have to De well up IN
Millions II not in trlions Of quadrillions D u
Ney-York, July s. 1897