New-York tribune., 1904-10-06
NAY GO TO OTHER PORTS.
International Company WithdraScs
Offer for Piers Here.

supplementiug the prediction made many
months ago by Emil Boas, Of the Hamburg
American Steamship Company. that unless more
ADEQUATE and cheaper docking facilities were
granted in this city the leading steamship Hnes
would have TO seek another terminal Dock Com
missioner Featherson yesterday received a letter
from P A B. Franklin vice-president Of the
International Mercantile Marine Company WITH
drawing the offer made by that company for the
use Of five and I half piers. which comprised
part Of the so-caIIed Chelsea improvements
The offer for the piers was made by the company
last December and again in May Of this year
After calling attention 70 the fact that cities
ike Boston. Baltimore and Philadelphia are
proving 10 De strong competitors Of this city.
and that the railroad companies there are az
fordlug free docking facilities for the trans
atlantic steamship lines. Mr. Franklin tntimates
II At unless The company can secure the piers at
a much lower rental they VIII seek another
terminal port The lines which would thus be
transferred are the White star. Red Star. At
lanric Transport Leyiand and American Mr..
FrsnkIin's letter TO the Dock Commissioner is
as follows.
Nav g. -g04. to your department, and Ine various
conversations we have had with you on tHe SUP ~
e~e5 @-orn what il was a tthe time our letter OF
-ren rCDte1lpIated cannot uow be carried out. and
We beg formally 20 withdraw the proposals con-
of time and attention TO investigating the cGst OF
and we would call your attention 70 the
fact that in Boston Philadelpnia ana Sal BSoJl-
more and other ports competing stFohB!y
win New-York no charge whatever is made
5or ne use o. PeEs m OF &c 6e'S rr of Mont-ea Gal
weston and Orleans IN the North and SotlI. =
came 70 tle p4TI 2 q a. -e eveT in Fobokeu
fe n1- ham no
haIf ~ VIA is ge1e-alI- charged In New-Yor't II
IS our belief thai IL would be U1-c- more 20 ne -!
t~feSts Of tie city. We. as 2- me 'dll-s
Psnes n he shipping business 20 70 pISSs pSose-s5e
nasis which would tend 20 eg1aze tlte COS o. % N
petng ports. and attract commerce 70 THIS poTL
which Is diverted 10 other ports where pUsl-
ness can De done so much more cheaply =, -
Ne are anxious 10 NEE. your department n the me
referred 10 In 1-ir Ia--Ar - ere- Bs- - 1903 say
Improvement. Il the charges therefor can Re put
Justify. but We desire thar II s1ouId be formaus
We have had. thar our previous offe- of Dece1abs-
1 -ea, Tsde 70 your predecessar- has been VIII
P A z. FRANKLIN. vice president
After the receipt OF the letter yesterday. Dock
/ C9umlssiore- Festhersor said tha, he ha4 beec
~ The belief thai The International Mercantile
Marine Company had made q tentative contract
With the Dock Department for the rental OF the
piers. Acting on this belief. he drew " the
necessary lease some time ago and laid IL before
the Sinking Fund Commissioners The Coruis-
sioner says he Clio this soor after he entered
the Office. and has since nesu urging the com
parry 70 execute The lease. The Cor1-nis-tJre-
said that NJ F-ank,in-s lette- meant nothing
Jess than that The company now wishes TO abro-
gate The lease. and that the piers vii. hav. 20
remain teuanJless unless satisfactory agree
--e-r reached letter virtually -aous- frz