New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-08-02
EEW.TORK'S TANLSNING COMMERCE.

II Is announced that the Commission recently
appointed 1. Governor Black. under the author
ity Of the legislature. ito inquire into the con-
.dtion of the commerce OF New-Iork and s'lS-
'Cest legislation thereon" will begin holding
IL sessions early in tho month Of September.
II numbers among its members some OF New
Yorks eminent citizens and 1t ought to receive
most cordial aid from the merchants and man
ufncturers Of the city in IFS task Of discovering
why it Is that in comparison with other At
lantic ports, NETWORKS commerce ms de-
creased
Governor Black. in his annual message. while
declaring that the commerce of Ncw-iork is
not Increasing as rapidly as that Of other ports,
argued that It was not likely that the city was
suffering from conditions which she could not
overcome "Thc conditions which hold her
back" he said. "seem to be neither natural nor
general. 1t is said that the commerce tribu-
'tary to New-York City has been checked ana
discouraged by too narrow policy prevailing
there with reference TO terminal facilities. IT
this ia true that policy should he corrected. no
matter whether II Is pursued Ivy the city or by
individuals" Among the terminal facilities,
In the opinion Of the canal-hoat men. which are
lacking in Ncw-Yorll and also in Buffalo are
sonable rates. In their judgment, n grain clio
vator combination greatly reduces the volume
Of NETWORKS grain traffic, owing TO rs high
charges for grain elevatlng, and yearly they
make complaints TO the Legislature on this
subject, which are unheeded.
Rut It can he suspected also that tho canal
boat mon themselves are opponents At mrch-
needed reform. For two successive years now
they have succeeded in defeating At Albany
the passage Of law which would permit Of
the organization OF canal transportation com.
panes with large capital. At present no cor
poration with capital larger than $4,000 can
engage in the canal commerce, and yet II Is
obvious that modern corporation methods must
be- applied to tie transportation Of grain ana
other merchandise upon the canals, or the canals
are doomed The day 90 the aged canal boat
dragged by mules Is past II has been succeed
ed by the steam canal boat and Us consoris
Moreover the time has arrived for tho canal
TRANSFORMATION company which will be able TO
give through bill Of hiding from Duluth 10
New York and possibly TO Liverpool
Mr. Blacks Commission on tho decline o. IN"
commerce of Sew York. II IS evident. has
HinTndancc OF mnttcrs TO look into also In thu
civ itself Are the pier rates too high? Is
there any discrimination against the canal
boat men? What prospect = there Of The con
structlon Of railway bridge across the Iiud-
son IN the vicinity Of the city, All those nie
questions which viii naturally occur to the
members Of the Commission. And II the mem
bcrs of the Commission are inclined to make
rather loisurcly excursion In their collection OF
facts about the lcSscning stream OF New York :
commerce md TO mediate long over the RENE
dies for the disease. possibly they had better
make n flying trip from Osdcnsburg 10 Mon
trent on the S. Lawrence and look upon the
Canadians hard .. work charging their ship
canal. There is also some Interesting evidence
70 he obtained about New Works lost commerce
Mt Baltimore. at Newport News. Mt New-or'
leans. nj Galveston. nj BOSTON and n Fhl'a-
delphe The terminal facilities" Of most of
these ports are considered excellent. Ncw.fork
IS not so proud MS 10 refuse 10 Initiate the sue
cossful methods Of her commercial rivals In
their efforts ~ attract trade