New-York tribune., 1908-09-21
NEEDS OF THE METROPOLIS.

To the Editor of The Tribune.
Sir: Isn't It time that the pressing needs OF New
York's commerce should receive more serious con-
sideration and that the talk of 'our declining
commerce should cease? At the moment the port
OF New York. like other ports. is suffering because
of less business. due 20 hard times. That's tran
sient But we really suffer from congestion
than from decrease in commerce Our city ana
state officials should concern themselves far more
IN conserving and accommodating our existing
commerce than they do It would be difficult
to see how New York could accommodate much
more commerce than 1t enjoyed in, say, 1907, With
out increased facilities.
New docks-lots Of them-are more needed than
new canals. So long cargoes are transferred at
New York and Buffalo, enlarged canals will not
greatly increase commerce until the canals are
supplemented by the state with adequate up-to-
date terminals for canal traffic. New forks canals
rorr eDtov only so much traffic as the railroads
willing they should: the enlargement under way
will not appreciably alter this condition so long as
we lack terminals for canal commerce. Much
lower more reasonable and above all; uniform
charges should be made for wharfage IN the city s
charter. now being revised.
Instead of attempting TO force the New York Cen
trail Railroad to put its West Side tracks in an ex-
cessvely costly and impracticable subway. proper
realization. of the immense and permanent ad-
vantages that would follow should suggest as q
substitute for surface trackage elevated struct-
ure along the partially used marginal way west Of
West street, giving railroad cars access to piers
and easing the congestion there existing that is
rapidly becoming intolerable. More open piers
many more public piers-especiay for the accom-
mediation OF the immense local commerce of Man
haitian should be provided by the Department OF
Docks and Ferries along the North and East rivers
Land purchased by the city for new piers should
at once have new piers built upon it Idle land
Yields TO income the millions spent in purchas-
ing #
The Department of Docks and Ferries should
alter IFS system OF divorcing uplands from its
wharves. Land adjacent to whaTves should he
used for commercial purposes-least Of all for
saloons The rnunicipalization OF the East River
ferries deserves immediate and enlightened public
consideration. These ferries are and viii remain
essential for the accommodation of commerce and
passenger transporta ton. and the ctys duty is to
acquire and administer them forthwith
civic pride in New forks commerce seems dead.
and ell the while commerce grows faster than the
accommodations for handling It. Common sense
and engineering science are crying needs for solv-
ing problems caused through the congestion Of
should not prevent the building OF new docks
In 1880 the foreign commerce OF the port Of New
York was valued at 1852 in 1895 its value
ss4 como increase in eighteen years. In 1907 It's
value was s. 4S2 Coo. increase Of IS per cent
IN nine years domestic commerce far in excess
Of 100 tons and valued at s060o0 ora rapidly
growing while less than q per cent measures the
Increased wharfage accommodation in the same
nine years A 2. SMITH