New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-10-11
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR.
SAYS THIS PORT LOSES IT'S TRADE.
Reform Administration Only Hope to Re.
store Supremacy, 1t Is Asserted
To the Editor Of The Tribune

Sir: The commercial Supremacy =, w.
City ~ threateheu no more by the various emb-
| tous rivals than by the leeches of munic,nal gov
eminent who have done all in their nov.r -, -.
on the argoses that unlade and lada q, .h,. go.
seaport Prohibtory charges make tho ufs 81 ,hs
| exporter and importer burden unar.o. ,ho-
ports encourage commerce by their wise noIicv NJ,
not bleeding the houses engaged in wor,dwida
shipments. Here all sorts of backmau and ex
cessive fees and delays render what 10 naturanv
the finest seaport in the world a mort zvbos. I.
SEEMING relative Importance arouses tbosa who orc
not familiar with the hanpe-!np co,d,+,ons =.
local bad government, which the Low aanon,etra
ton is trying to Offset Unless the present reform
administration is continued indefinitely for wars
to come. We expect to see within the next score Of
years New-York City fall so rapidly IN the rear
OF her enterprisng and ambitious rivals that the
business world will say. What has happened To
Manhattan
Dock abuses in this great city are sufficient IN
drive commerce away TO other points wbose nat,
raj advantages are not equal to the ue.ronol,s
The Erie Canal. IL deepened and widened will aid
more than any other present factor to prevent the
INVERSION OF trade 10 other enterpTising seaports
and this thoroughfare from the West to the sea
should be pushed to early compilation & The
apathy OF New-York City in view Of the deeadence
of her relative Importance a great maritime CITY
is OF the singular phenomena OF the piace
The farmer who finds his crops dwindlng an
acre resorts to enriching the soil and improved
v.
TRANQUILITY views the slipping away Of her ship
ping interests with a mood so peaceful and
soporihc that one might imagine her people had
become altogether altruistc and dsinterested
This is age of competition and no business
house can rest on the reputation OF the previous
decade. BY up-to-date methods OF energetic man
agement backed by honorable treatment q, new
customers and thoughtful consideration of the old
with its alert competitors; not Dragging about it's
wares unduly for they SPEAK for themselves, but
md rripe shaU
tract and held the coveted is so difficult
TO control and that is easily drawn elsewhere.
The best books require but little advertising for
me PLEASED reader Is only too happy to spread
thing
Here is a mart where from all ports of the world
men should come to learn how docks should be
built and maintained. What farce has been the
sndy OF W IN TINS respect Scandal after
tunity that New-York City has had and neglected
of the port in a degree commensurate with their
inestimable valued There should be narrow par
magnanimous sinking Of all party or class inter
Western Continent model for all maritime cities.
place where the seaman should not be the victim
thought OF the crowded thFongs who are made in
Jacob Riis are an example of what an be done
where there is profound love for humanity The
and uplift the masses who contribute directly or
If New-York shall continue to purge the munich
pality Of the gross abuses which are joint leg:
the upright she may yet not only see her waning
commercial prestige revive, but stand exem-
plar to all the cities of the earth of good govern
ment and civic righteousness. To this task sll
men should contribute their best efforts, for, as
Mayor Low has well indicated, the city Ia indebted
TO all parts of the world for its stalwart elements
and should strive to give back the best of service
and of inspiration to the ends OF the earth New
York city was not intended as an earthly paradise
for nabobs, but place where the rich and the
poor should live mutually interested IN each other
and mutually dependent each other. For 'All
We brethren" said the Great Teacher OF the
Ages. WILLIAM K. PALMER.
New-YoriS City Oct. G. 1893.