New-York tribune., 1910-12-19
TOMKINS MAKES REPLY
Dock Commissioner Answers
Criticisms of His Plans.
ASKS MUTUAL CONCESSIONS
Calls Attitude of Railroads OBJ
stacle to Evolution of
Waterfront Problem.

In report to the Mayor dated Decen-
Der 16, Calvin Tonkins, Commissioner of
Docks, replies TO the various criticisms di-
rected against his solution of the dock
problem the west side of Manhattan.
He says it is physically impossible to OBJ
tain more bulkhead space on the West Side
| waterfront for storing car floats, and that
| tbs. only remedy is either diminution of
commerce or the transfer by float bridges
OF freight cars from the floats to terminals
on the east side of the marginal way. where
| they can be unioaded or loaded without oc
curying the waterfront His plan also in
clIdes an elevated railroad along the West
Side, connecting terminals and float bridges
The present condition he summarizes as
fellows:
The present system of car float storage
along the west side of Manhattan for the
shipment and reception of freight was, uI-
til recent years, that most practical 1t
is necessary to have a clear understanding
numerous car floats bring cars from New
Jersey to Manhattan terminals: each car
float is moored alongside Of a pier, and
during the early part of the day the cars
are discharged, their contents being stored
upon compare lively narrow piers, leaving
wide gangway capable of passing two
trucks through the middle of each pier
Consignees send their drays TO the piers
TO take away this merchandise, and con-
gestion enSues as a consequence OF the
mixing of the teams with the large amount
Of freight which is piled UP in narrow
windrows on both sides of the trucking
gangway.
The railroads are obliged to hold the un-
called freight at least forty-eight hours. and
this temporary storage increases conges
tion- The cars. when empty. are loaded
with outgoing freight, which is delivered to
the bulkhead shed extending along the
unloads his own dray. Hand truckers re-
ceive the freight and pass ii over scales
TO the yangplank at the hIlikhead and along
the central runway of the float, loading
II into cars for which it is destined. Some
times if two-car floats are placed end-on
the the run is 500 feet 49, The process cess il is $50, slow
at the bulkhead shed I'm the latter part of
the afternoon is serious. The car floats
are pulled out late in the afternoon to catch
the evening trains from New Jersey.
The most desirable point the Connis-
sioner goes on, -'at which to dock the ocean
ferry service is the west side of Manhat-
tan. There is not room at the waterfront
here for both steamship and railroad ter
niinaIs The railroad cars can be trans
ferred to the inshore side of the street, the
steamers cannot consequently, arrange
ments should be n.ade to SO transfer the
cars"
The float bridges he thinks should be To-
Gated above 23d street, and eventually the
railroad terminals or terminal. This does
not mean, he says, that the department has
gone back on it's policy of enticing manu-
featuring and warehousing to the outlying
districts by improving the terminal facili
ties of the Long Island and Staten Island
shores. but that the waterfront of Manhat-
tan must of necessity be modernized TO
take care of the traffic whose destination
and origin are the borough itself.
In reply to an objection voiced by
Charles ". Buchholz, consulting engineer
Of the Erie Railroad Mr.. Tomkins says:
II remains to be seen whether the New
of the opportunity which the city may
present TO them of acquiring permanent
terminals on the west side of Manhattan.
II is now evident that existing terminals
cannot be greatly expanded, and it IS phys
tcsily impossible to secure more bulkhead |
space for storing floats. VIII not future |
conditions impose upon the New Jersey
roads the obligation of cooperating with |
the city, Again, the New York Central
must elevate its tracks and must secure |
terminals contiguous to them. If the New
Jersey roads do not follow similar policy
they will he placed at still greater disad
vantage TO the Central. which will then
become the controlling railroad on the west
side of Manhattan.
the railroads TO cooperate with each other
and with the city is serious obstacle |
The policy of the railroads till has
been to secure, each for itself, needed facil- !
tiles without regard to others. Adequate |
organization in Manhattan. including con- |
Meeting railroad. can only be attained /
through l.. mutual cooperation and conces-
stances is such that the roads cannot much |
longer follow their old separatist policy. |
st. Louis has a joint freight terminal; Chi |
cago is building one; New Orleans, San |
Francisco and Montreal are opera ting CON
Meeting dock railroads.