New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-12-24

DOCK Commissioners have been unable TO meet
IT. and many steamship companies have gone
to other ports because there was no room for
them here. The greater city has about three
hundred and nifty three miles o. waterfront, yet
Is Obliged to turn applicants away for lack Of
dock facilities.
Although New-York holds in firm grasp the
commercial supremacy Of the country, q study
OF the records Of exports for the last few years
has revealed tendency to fall slightly behind
In respect to the export trade. The tremendous
gains in the exports Of the United States have
been the cause Of widespread satisfaction. The
gains of the last two years in particular have
been most noteworthy. This port has shown n
big increase in this direction but the assertion
is made that NewYork has not maintained the
same ratio OF increase as formerly with the in
crease of the whole country. Those Interested
in the welfare of the city gave the subject care
full study and attention, with the result that
upon the advice of Governor Black a law was
passed authorizing the appointment Of special
commission to inquire into the commerce OF the
city Of NewYork and suggest legislation there
on In his message to the Legislature at the
opening of the session in 1898 Governor Black
said:
THE commerce Of NewYork is not increasing
as rapidly as that Of other ports Perhaps this
is inevitable, for the first of yesterday may be
the second to-day and out Of the race to-mor
row. But it is not likely that NewYork is suf
ferng from conditions which she cannot over
come The conditions which hold her back seem
to be neither natural nor general. 1t is said
that the commerce tributary to New-York City
has been checked and discouraged by a too mar
row policy prevailing there with reference to
terminal facilities. If this is true that policy
should be corrected, matter whether 1t Is
pursued by the city individuals The facili-
ties Of New-York belong not to the city or even
to the State. but to the country II by location
she is the best point Of shipment to foreign mar
kets for Western farmers. then her advantages
should be open no more to a Broadway mer-
chant than to a Kansas farmer. And the rights
of the latter should not he abridged by restrc-
tons charges which would drive him to Cal
weston or New Orleans. Every citizen in this
country has "A right to get to the with his
product 10 matter whether ne lives on the coast
or not, and he should not be subjected when
there 20 unreasonable demands from those who
have accommodations which he IL obliged to
employ. Some communities are 80 placed that
their course not only interests but largely af
fects others. To the extent in which this is
true just TO that extent has the public the right
to advise and direct those situated New
York City is in this class.
Her affairs are not local but National. and
this view receives constant recognition at the
hands Of the General Government. Millions Of
money from the general Treasury have been
expended in NewYork with National sanction
and millions more should be expended now in |
the single project OF deepening the approac hes !
TO her harbOr. But this National aspect can |
not be urged when her benefits are considered |
and denied when others claim theirs This State |!
should open such facilities in NewYork Harbor !
as will draw and accommodate every pound Of !
which would naturally
The desire on the part OF individuals or Of the |
city FOR rapid accumuations should not pre-
vent this result. The broadcast and most liberal /
policy is the wisest. An outlay for such IA pur- |
pose would be repaid tenfold in pocuniary re- |
turns ana In the growth and prestige Of the |
State. Neglect careessncss in dealing with
this subject would put New-York at a dsad-
vantage with other ports in the United States
ina might put the whole country at a disadvan-
age with Canada. The Canadians are just nov
discussing this subject and are relying upon
advantages afforded by the St Lawrence River
TO attract over that stream the products of
" lSconsIn, Minnesota. Dakota and other West
'fh states, intended for foreign markets. This
competition should be feared and met"
THE GAIN NOT KEPT UP.
In 1896 New-York handled ~ per cent Of the
otal foreign trade Of the United States In
une, 1898 the increase for the country in for
ign trade was So, 0OO. 600 but New-York
howed a decline Of S2J, 100000. The percentage
II loss represented about , per cent Of the gross
rade. WhiIc TINS appears small, il represents a
alue equal to the entire foreign trade of Phila-
elphia and one half the foreign trade Of Boston.
his decline gives New-Y0rk to-day 1859 per !
ent Of the total foreign trade as against 81 per
ent in 1896 1t is for these reasons that active
tops have been taken to enable New York not !
My 10 maintain her present commerce. but also
. increase il satisfactorily.
The Custom House was established in this citv
4 l1S9. and the record from that day TO this is {,
he best index of the growth OF commerce I'm {
his port
elections FOR year ending juno 30 ITO 1856
OLE tons Tor ending june 30 1851
Ole cOns for ending June 400 773 Il,
elections for -nain@ Jur. 7GI n