New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-02-07
NETWORK HARBOR AND THE NATION

New-York Harbor needs improvement. There
Is no fact more patent than that connected
with all the commercial interests of the United
States. The chief port of this Nation, Of the
Western Hemisphere, is suffering for lack Of
better entrance and exit way between 1t and
the high seas. Trade is for that reason being
driven away from it, and not from it alone, but
actually from the whole country. The foreign
commerce of the Nation is suffering because
Of insufficient facilities at that port which has
more Of that commerce than all others put to-
gether. Granted--and il Is sadly and absolutely
true-that the evil is largely the fault Of this
city, IL Is still right and proper TO look TO the
Federal Govern ent for relief. The port that
Is of so great value TO the Nation should be the
care Of the Nation, both to improve ii and 10
protect il from abuse, even from the wanton
local abuse to which this port was subjected in
the good old Tammany Gays" When the ex-
erclse of such care is solicited however. the
criticism is often made that New-York is always
begging and has already received more than its
share Of Federal aid. A conspicuous Represent
alive in Congress is credibly reported 10 have
said. officially. a few years ago. that the port
of New-York had had spent upon IL 80 per cent
of all Federal appropriations for river and har-
Dor improvements in the whole United States.
There is reason TO believe that notion TO that
effect is widely prevalent.
The extravagant falslty Of that charge IS con-
vinclngly exposed in an important article print
ed on another page OF this mornings Tribune.
Mr.. John w Ambrose. Of this city, who has de-
voted much study and research to the subject,
shows that the exact contrary is true. The
actual amounts appropriated for the improve
ment Of NewYOrk HarbOr have been small IN
deed Compared. or rather contrasted, with the
amounts appropriated for far less important
places. and with the amount of revenue turned
into the National Treasury through the New
York Custom Horse. they are so small as 10 he
almost beyond belief We have said that this
port has a greater commerce than all others
put together. Official statistics quoted by Mr..
Ambrose show that In the fiscal year 1894 90
65 per cent Of ali imports and 40 per cent Of all
exports passed through the port of New-York
In the year 1S93-'94 New-York contributed more
than &C per cent, and in 1S94'95 more than GS
per cent, OF all the customs revenues OF the
whole United States. So much for foreign
trade OF domestic trade exact statistics are
not available. but there is no question that New
York controls fully onehalf Of the entire do
nestle trade coastwise and inland, of the Ma
ton.
Such is the Importance OF New-fork TO the
Nation. What has the Nation done for New
York? Mr. Ambrose shows, on the authority
OF Official statistics. that from 1870 to 1896 in
elusive, only the insignificant sum Of S2.252,J 800
was expended upon NewYork Harbor. out Of
a grand total Of S206,46s.653 spent for river and
harbor improvements throughout the entire
Union Instead OF receiving 90 per cent, ms
was charged by the Representative in Congress
quoted by Mr.. Ambrose, New-York has received
less than per cent. While the Federal Treas
ury has received from New-YOrk 65 cents In
every 100 cents Of its tariff revenues, II has re-