New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-01-20
VAST FOOD SUPPLY.

IL one desired further evidence OF congestion
OF Msnhsttan's waterfront should visit the
three piers OF the Pennsylvania Railroad ct
Desbrosses street In the early morning hours
Here Is landed a considerable portion Of the
persshsble produce used by the city for food
Sometimes three hundred cars OF fruits and
vegetables enter by this gateway IN a single
night, and many sixty thousand packages
are taken upon the piers. The capacity Of the
piers Is sometimes so taxed that part OF New
Tork's food supply has 20 be piled up on the
marginal street, temporarily offering oppor-
tunities Cor thievishly inclined persons II is
surruiEed that there are not a few inhabitants OF
Manhattan who make their living from what
they are able 20 gather IN from the asphalt
psvsrnent in front OF the piers when there are
30 many about that no one sees the theft and
there is no one % demand a receipt from the
tzksr.
a few days ago a car tracer connected with
one OF tho roads terminating az this mort in
search for cars belonging 20 his road. visited
the yards OF the New York Central IN thix citv
and az Weehawken to look for stray cars He
reported that every foot OF the switches OF these
terminals was covered with loaded cars await
Ing an opportunity 20 unload. They were de-
3syeo because me piers where they were to dis
charge their contents were glutted with freight
IL has been the custom OF the railroad COM
par1ies 70 store certain class OF freight which
was Intended for local use twenty days free OF
charge. and freight intended for eyport sirtv
Gays. Recently, in view OF the congestion here
Che limit 20 local consignees has been cut IN
ha-L In order 70 be able 20 furnish even this
sccommOoauons one railroad was Obliged 10
hire Brooklyn pier for storage purposes at an
expense OF about 100000 a year.
This crowded condition Is costly not oniv On
TINE, but In actual money. The general erenf
or one OF the big railroads said that with one s,
celtton The operating expenses OF all its stations
IN New YORK In the month OF December showed
81 increase over the corresponding month -
lasL year ot ~ per cent. due simply TO the con-
sesuoa- This 10 per cent represented the cos+
OF pulling down piles OF freight 70 find fhat 90
one consignee. piling II up again In order % cat
~ OUT oI tne way and then pulling Il down once
more 20 get out freight for other persons
Captain Jacob Miller, superintendent ~ Oh.
New England Navigation Company which 800 ~
The Fan River, Providence and other T,ong rsi 81
ana SOUND steamboat lines and hanSIer 1a--a
quantities OF the product OF the Mass cbuoetts
fexule mills, supplemented this evidence ne
SAID that the business OF his Command bod 49,
doubled In the course or the last two years and
That as result OF the cOngested conSitSons 81
cost OF handling the freight on hts niars he a
Increased about 30 per cent Where fornerl1, -
cost y cents ton Il now costs 3S cents .sirbe
capacity o. the piers is about half what n
should be-" said he 1.-THE Increased cost o,1,,,'..
10 congestion would pay the rental on snotbae
pier. f the pier could be secured SpealinFy
roughly, think New York City has LOST tbo
handling OF z5eDOOO0 worth OF drygoods rstbi1
the last year through the delays due 10 sbjnnjne
fhrongh this city. The goods have been for
warded by other routes"
The transatlantic lines in common with other
Interests also cry for room" They like the
railroad and the cOastwise lines want a wider
entrance on the waterfront Of Manhattan Nery
York Is lle centre OF the import trade and this
trade is growing. The reason the importer asks
sar 1aors room for tho tra1lss tl2ntio liners and