New-York tribune., 1901-03-01
CRAGIN PROJECT NAY FAIL.
VISIONS OF LARGE REVENUES FOR STATE
SEEM TO HAVE VANISHED.

VISIONS OF LARGE REVENUES FOR STATE
SEEM TO HAVE VANISHED
The project of Edward F. Cragin to secure from
the State of New-Jersey title to more than hun
dred acres Of land under water between Bedloe's
and Ellis islands for a consideration about $3.50 900
may fail The Riparian Board. which has author
ity to make the grant. IS enthusiastic
the proposition as 1t several months ago. and
does not regard Cragin seriously 1t did when
II made the provisional agreement by which he
to secure the assent OF the Harbor Line Board 1t
represented that Cragin appeared for corpora
tions and capitalists who would reclaim the land
erect mammoth grain elevators and warehouses
and add millions Of dollars to the ratables of Jersey
City and the state. It has developed recently that
the grant is wanted for drydock purposes. and the
grain elevators and warehouses for the present at
least. have vanished from the dream.
The Riparian Board met yesterday in Jersey City
Mr.. Cragin, who had announced that he would ask
for an additional grant represented by Amasa
Thornton His reception not cheerful The
original grant asked for los acres. and Mr.
Thornton asked for an additional strip the
northeast of the tract marked out and which
he assumed practically in the possession Of
Cragin. He used the map prepared for Cragin to
point out the additional track, when he was sud
denly interrupted by Commissioner Holt, who
bluntly said. when Mr.. Thornton mentioned dry
docks Il thought you going build grain
elevators and bring the grain trade 10 jersey s
we will build the drydocks first and other i'm
provements will follow" was Mr. Thornton's sooth-
ing reply.
The commissioners smiled and Mr. Thornton pro-
ceeded TO explain that they would construct a dry
dock LOS feet long with partitions that II can
be converted into shorter docks 10 accommodate
long vessels. The dock he said, only be built
the north side. where there Is a rock foundation.
Mr.. Thornton then entered into statement If the
rights OF the State OF New-Jersey and condemned
the Illegal seizure of riparian lands Of the State by
the federal government This did not excite much
enthusiasm He said the Treasury Department had
a scheme 10 extend Ellis Island 100 feet the
south, which. if done would end the Cragin prof.
ect, as in the provisional understanding channel
900 feet wide is TO be maintained.
Il told Secretary Taylor said Mr.. Thornton.
that the Treasury Department now owes the State
OF New-Jersey $4,000 for the land it has taken
without the States permission, and l believe you
gentlemen could make the government pay It. II
you did that, II is not likely that the Treasury De
partment would take more land"
After assailing the federal government for its
rapacity. the ingenious counsel then added: We
have the agreement of the State OF New-Jersey 10
give certain lands if comply with certain
conditions"
You have grant remarked Commissioner
Holt sharply.
We can only rely upon the honor of the gentle
men comprising this board retorted Mr.. Thornton.
The board permitted Mr.. Thornton to file the
plans but informed him that he must obtain the
consent of the Harbor Line Board before applying
the Riparian Board for its approval OF the plans
The desultory conversation that ensued indicates
that the board does consider that il made any
pledges Mr. Cragin which bind II to make the
grant.