New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-10-10
THE STICKING POINT or COMMERCE.

THE STICKING PUNT or fOHMEhCE.
American shipowncrs are now building YES
sells expressly designed to traverse the Welland
and ST. Lawrence canals and 81. Lawrence
River. TO accommodate such traffic tho Wei
land Canal is TO be dccpencd to minimum Of
fourteen feet. Next year more than fifty large
steamers and bargcs of American, and mostly of
New-YOrk City, ownership will be added TO the
fleet that already follows that route from the
lakes TO the ocean to the detriment of the waning
commerce of Ncw-York. That Is a state Of af-
fairs that challenges the attention of every man
who has an honest interest in the welfare of the
commerce of this port and of this Nation.
We have hitherto shown that while the vol
ume of commerce entering this State and arriv-
ing at Buffalo on It's way to tidewater and
foreign markets is steadily and rapidly incrcas-
ing the volume Of II reaching Ncw-lorb and
shipped from This port is not thus increasing.
In respect TO the most important items ii Is act
ually decreasing. In proportion TO the whole
commerce of the Union 1t is decreasing AT an
ominous rate. The obvious Inference and more
than Inference, is that after reaching Buffalo it
Is diverted 10 other States and other ports. This
may be for one or all Of three reasons. First it
may be because Of superior advantages offered
by other ports. From natural point of view
there can be none, but 1t may be that some arti-
fetal advantages are offered. Second, il may
be because of inadequate means of transit be
tween Buffalo and New-York, and bette. means
between Buffalo and other places. Such should
rot be the case, but undoubtedly is 10 some ex-
tent. as what we have already said about the
Welland Canal indicates. The Erie Canal has
not been developed to its fullest practicable ex-
tent and is not being worked in the most ef-
fective manner. Third. 1t may he because Of in
adequate terminal facilities at this port This.
we are convinced is largely the case, and this
is the feature Of the whole case which most
directly appeals TO the local public.
The Erie Canal created the commercial SUI
prcmacy Of NcwYork That Is not To be dis
putcd Since the advent of railroads it has not
enjoyed its old pre-emnence as a transportation
route, but il has continued To serve an inyalua-
Die purpose, not only as means Of Transports
ton, but as n regulator of freight rates on all
lines. The commercial welfare of this port there
fore demands that 1t shall be maintained M it's
greatest possible efficiency. But that is exactly
what is not being done. Leaving ont Of present
consideration the need Of enlarged capacity and
facilities all along the line. these facts are Ia
be Observed that the canal system has never
yet been completed In accordance with the
plans Of It's creator, and that here, at the cul-
mnating point Of the whole system. its ncom-
pletencss is suffered year after year and dec
ade after decade To operate as a barrier IN
commerce and a heavy handicap TO the pros
pcrty of this port.
De Witt Clintons plans in 1896 comprised the
opening Of the Harlem River and Bronx Kills TO
navigation as the last link in the chain of wa