New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-05-14
BACKS TO THE WHARVES.
,SrERs RECOMMEND RAILROADS
ALONG THE RIVER FRONTS,
.vrrysIyE PLAN SUBMITTED FOR FAclLA-
rur HANDLING OF FREIGHr-THE
DOCK BOARD TO CONSIDER THE

| EXTENSIVE PLAN Sob"ii Ell rN~>
-,xc THE HANDLING OF FREIeHr-rHE
DOCK BOARD TO CONSIDER THE
REPORT TODAY.
/ ,oard Of Consulting Engineers to the De-
mt OF Docks appointed for the purpose OF
~''n. means for facilitating and cheapening the
'e's ,,n Of freight and vessels cargoes about the
ha ~ the water front surrounding Manhattan
l P, yesterday submitted Its report TO the DOCK
| Is.,;ssoners The Commissioners heard 1t read
l W. aatourned until to-day. when the report will
/ -" considered The consulting engineers are
| 80. 8 Morrison and William H. Burr, who were
| .Sn.r,s on engineering problems under ex-Presi-
j s.n, cleveland and General William P. Craighih'
''-uaorl, chief OF the Engineering Corps of the
r,ued States Army.
rha renoct is only a further development OF the
| Ian submitted TO the Dock Board last year on
| re same subject. and II adopted would make
! .~s,cal and far-reaching change along the two
syer fronts of the island. In effect. II recon-
nsnds that a fourtrack freight railroad be built
onc the marginal street OF the North River from
pa,erv Place TO Christopher St. and that this be
attended northward wherever practical. and that
me should be built along the marginal street Of
the East River from the Battery TO Corlears Hook
and that from these roads spur tracks should be
buir out to each pier The consideration Of the
construction of a marginal railroad north OF the
indicated points the Board of Engineers believes
st the present time TO DO premature.
In the words of the report the principal end Is
10 facilitate the interchange of traffic between land
and water lines of transportation, and at the
time improve the means of reaching either class of
transportation from the city This means an ar
rsngement b. which railroads place their cars
alongside ships they lie at the piers and also
run their cars directly 10 conveniently located stor
age warehouses. At the same time it is essential
that the land approaches by which teams reach the
peers should be free possible. and that this
freedom Of approach should extend 10 the railroad
tracks as we'll as TO the piers"
The two inner OF the four tracks of the railroad
the report says. should be used solely for through
lines, in order 10 keep clear way for the constant
movement Of cars. while the two outer tracks
should be used for cars to stand The inner one
OF the two outside tracks could be connected by
spurs with property adjoining, should the owners
desire, and this. the report suggests, would allow
OF the of such property for storage warehouses
way for pedestrians from cross streets 10
piers may be provided by a system OF foot bridges
connecting each pier with q street.
The report makes the further recommendation OF
6 marginal elevated passenger road 10 replace the
surface roads. This elevated structure would be
over the foot bridges and easily reached from the
latter. The following remarks upon the subject are
quoted from the report: The elevation OF the
railroad tracks involves neither great expense nor
serious inconvenience Such elevated tracks would,
IN connection with the bridges crossing the mar
The piers along the waterfront. Landing platforms
could be provided AZ every pier. and high speed
could lie attained by electric cars Baggage and
express cars. as well as passenger cars, could be