The Washington times., 1903-11-08
Europe ahead Of america
In Improvement OF Ports,
Says Mr.. Burton, OF Ohio

leading port on the continent of Europe.
Virtually all Of this amount has been
furnished by the city OF Hamburg.
The largest amount expended by this
Government on any single harbor is for
the improvements at Galveston. There
the work has cost 1900, Coz
Have the improvements made by Eu-
rOpean cities proved to be wise? Do they
yield fair returns on the money IN
vested?"
y think it may be said that many Of
these cities have gained remarkable
growth-a growth which could not have
occurred except as the result OF these
improvements
In some Instances the improvements
yield a fair return; by which l mean the
ordinary rate OF interest on the money
invested In others. as at Manchester,
the benefit would be obtained from the
increased commercial facilities afforded.
Wants No Port Tolls.
THE revenues are collected from tolls
or charges collected from shipping Some
of these charges are for the privilege OF
anchoring in protected waterways; 9th
ers for the right 10 anchor beside a quay
or wharf for loading or unloading. The
system of charges is hardly identical in
any two harbOrs.'
Should you advocate toll system for
our ports to help defray the cost OF i'm
provements?"
II should think not. I am inclined to
believe that one reason for our great
exports has been the lower charges i'm
posed upon shipping in our country and
the consequent lowering of ocean
freights. proof of this may be found
III the increase of exports in those ports
in the United States where there are
lower wharfage and lighterage charges
than in other ports.
1T should be said that system under
which tolls arc charged is one method
Of providing for the Improvement OF
harbors but it would seem that the
method pursued in the past in this
country is more beneficial TO our trade
and TO the commercial development Of
the country
Range of Tide Less.
How do the channels abroad compare
in width and depth with those in this
country
1T is difficult to say. because the
range Of tide is so much less in our
ports than in most Of the important
ports of Europe. The general average
depth in this country at low tide is
greater than in the harbors OF Europe.
At Hamburg. for instance. the present
available depth on the tide is twenty
eight feet. They are seeking, however.
TO have thirty-two feet.
Numerous cities IA Europe had sub
ordinate ports located lower down on
the channel leading to the sea. where
portion of the cargo is loaded on OF
unloaded from deep draught boats-for
example, Euillac. below Bordeaux, and
/ Bremerhaven below Bremen. In some
1 instances deep draught boats only come
10 these subordinate harbors.
Where Europe Is Behind.
7 would say that. II there is any par
ticular IN which the harbors Of Europe
I are inferior 10 ours, ii is in the depth Of
channels leading TO them. In nearly all
he important ports Of Europe work is
! Icing done TO obtain a depth at high tide
| II thirty-five feet or more. In some
9laces. as at Liverpool. a greats depth
IS already available az nigh tIGe.
! "Unquestionably. said Mr.. Burton, in
-eply 20 a question. the investments
made by this government have been
! profitable 10 the nation This is es-
! 5ecially true of the harbors having the
/ largest traffic There is pressing need
20 nave the important ports provided
I with such channels that the largest
boats may enter and leave without
LANCER.
Benefits Whole Country.
The expense OF giving ample oppOr-
tunity for these larger boats to enter
viii be more than repaid by reduced
/ freight rates. This benefit belongs to
The whole country. and not to any par
ticular port"
In reply to a question IS to what
/ depths OF water American ports should
have. Mr. Burton said:
"Of course, il is desirable to have the
/ greatest possible depth within reason
able bounds. 1t is, however. time that
/ boats having more than thirty feet
iraft viii come TO ports where great
quantities of freight are available. and
( the owners of large boats can rely on
snding a large cargo. A channel OF this
depth would only be used from a port
/ from which certain classes OF freight
are shipped In very large quantities to
foreign ports.
I