New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-01-18
THE STATES COMMERCE.
FORECAST OF THE CANAL ADVISORY
COMMISSIONS REPORT
IBr rELEeRAPH TO THE rRIBuNK.l


Albany Jan. lit is understood that Gov
ernor Roosevelt before the week ends Will sub
NIT TO the Legislature the report OF the Canal
Advisory Commission, whose members made
an investigation 40 learn whether or not II
would be good policy for the State TO go on
with the work OF Improving its canals. The re-
port OF the Commission appointed TO learn the
cause Of the alleged decline Of New-York's
commerce will also be submitted.
The members OF the latter commission were
appointed by Governor Black. and thus have
been at work for nearly two years. In some
respects this investigation has been more thor
eugh than that OF the Canal Advisory Commits
sion. and naturally so. since they have had at
their disposal many more months OF time In
which TO execute their duties. most careful
examination was made OF railroad and COM
merciaI statistics OF the amount Of commerce
OF each port OF the United States at the present
time and years ago. The rapid growth OF rival
seaports was thus traced.
Nor did the Commissions members limit their
work TO this state. Just before they completed
the taking of evidence they visited several
Western States travelling as far west as Mime
sofa, and gathered material for opinions as to
the cause OF the diversion of vast amount OF
traffic from New-York
TO COMPLETE THE WORK.
pletion of the 100000 canal improvement plan
begun in 1895 the execution Of which was pre-
vented by the exhaustion OF the appropriation.
1t is estimated that by an expenditure OF 3d.
100000 more this plsn OF canal Improvement
can be completed. The Canal Advisory Com
mission Will also submit this alternative
plan, it is said. although frankly of the opinion
that it may be necessary in order 10 hold the
canal commerce Of the State TO build big barge
canal at cost OF S60O00O00
The commission which has been investigating
the cause OF the decline OF New-York's COM
merce has had as its chairman ex-Mayor Charles
A. Schieren, of Brooklyn. Mr.. Schieren's commits
sion is reported to be OF the opinion that statis-
tics indicate loss of commerce by New-York
compared with other ports during the last six
years The port charges and wharf rates Of
New-York in the past have been excessive, and
in the opinion Of the commission, IL is said. have
largely contributed 10 the decline Of NETWORKS
commerce as compared with other United States
ports. Several bills will be presented to the
Legislature to prevent If possible the revival Of
these excessive charges, which, while the COM
mission was in session were lowered, and were
not such an element in any loss or commerce
New-York then suffered.
DIFFERENTIAL RATES.
The report of the commission is said TO cover
over a hundred pages and the evidence twenty
five hundred pages 1t opens, It was stated to-
night. with a statement OF the differential
freight charges Of the various big railway lines
and the argument that they are harmful and
commercially unjust to New-York Neyerthe-
less, continental conditions must govern the rail-
roads in their action upon this matter; no State
alone guard itself against discrimination.
One Of the most remarkable parts Of the
port, it was stated tonight, would be the sug-
gestion that when New-YOrk should undertake
the construction Of rapid transit road. there
should be coupled with such road underground
tunnels for freight trains. These underground
roads would encircle Manhattan Island, and be
connected with the tunnels now under construc-
ton, or about TO be constructed beneath the
Hudson River and the East River. Through
freight thus could be sent If necessary, directly
from the West TO the docks on the shore Of
Manhattan. Long Island or Staten Island. One
Of the causes OF the relative decline Of New
York's commerce as compared with that Of
other ports is the transfer system by trucks and
boats Goods could be landed far more eco
nomically. II IS argued. by an underground rail-
way system.
The Commission took good deal Of valuable
-timony regarding the effect OF recent Cana
competition, and about the causes that led
shippers in some States to prefer TO send goods
TO some other State than New-York