New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-02-09
VIEWPOINTS EXPORT TRADE.

The EXPORT trade of New-York Is declining.
That Is the concrete fact the commercial ana
industrial interests Of this city have to face.
A generation ago this port had more than two
thirds-nearly three-fourths-of the entire eX-
port trade of the whole United States Now it
has little more than one-third. Its exports have
decreased 30 per cent in thirty years. The
process is not checked. Exports were less In
1896 than in 1890, and threaten to be less In
1900 than in 1896 Yet the export trade Of the
Nation IS rapidly increasing. 1t Is Increasing
ut other ports at the expense Of New-York. That
is what statistics prove Between 1880 and
1897 the foreign commerce Of the Nation In
creased to the extent Of $500, 100000 OF that
sum New-York got only S2O.0OO,00O, while Bos-
ton got $63,000.00O and Galveston S290OoOO0.
Assuredly that is a state Of affairs which
prompts n vigorous asking OF the question, what
are you going to do about 1t?
We have already shown the duty Of the Ma
ton to this port That the Federal Government
should, not only for NETWORKS but for its
own sake promptly improve the Sandy Hook
channel and complete the ong-delayed improve
ments Of the Harlem River and Bronx Kills
admits Of no dispute. But there is something
more than that to be done. The significant
feature Of the case Is that the export trade Is
declining. while the import trade Is pretty well
kept up. That means not merely lack or
proper harbor facilities, but lack OF proper
facilities for getting the produce Of the country
to this harbor and for transferring II from boats
and cars to ocean, going vessels. That Is mat
ter which this city and this State must deal
with on their own account, in addition to the
aid that may be given by the National Govern
ment. The latter may properly be asked to
make both gateways Of the harbor accessible
To all vessels at all times. regardless Of the
tides. and to afford means of more direct con-
nection between inland and ocean navigation
at their natural junction at the head Of Long
Island Sound. But there will still remain
great task which New-York must perform.
The commercial supremacy Of New-York had
It's origin in the unique river and canal system
that made 1t the outlet Of all the traffic Of the
Great Lakes-in fact, OF the most important
stretch Of inland navigation in the world. New
Orleans at the mouth Of the Mississippi, Is
scarcely to be compared in point OF situation
with New-York, at the mouth, not Of the Hud-
son alone, but Of the whole gigantic series Of
inland seas that fringe the northern border OF
the Republic and carry it's richest commerce.
The shipping Of the Lakes Is actually superior
in volume and value to that Of the Atlantic
Coast And New-York is It's natural outlet
That fact was recognized fourscore years ago
by the genius Of Dewitt Clinton, and he gave
the best efforts OF bis life to making the con-
nection between New-York and the Lakes d.
rect and easy. But those who have profted by
his work have neglected to maintain It. The
canal has not been kept up to its full measure
Of usefulness, but has been made the prey and
victim of self seeking spoilsmen. Terminal IA
cillties have likewise been neglected, and oner-
Gus charges for wharf and elevator services, I'M
known to rival ports, have discouraged the ship
ping hther Of produce. These are the evils
which city and State must overcome. Make 1t
possible for producers all over the land to get
their goods to this port and transferred to ocean
steamers more readily and cheaply than to any
other port and there will be no further cause 10
complain of the decline Of NETWORKS COM
merce.