The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1911-03-07
PIERS May Be MADE LONGER
SECRETARY or WAR DICKINSON
GRANTS PERMISSION.

The Extensions Must he Of Temporary
|. Construction and he Removable by
order Of the Secretary n They
Prove Obstructive to Navigation,
WARRINGTON. March e.--Secretary Of
War Dickinson to-day granted permission
to the International Mercantile Marine
for the extension Of two Of its North
River piers for the accommodation Of
giant new liners pending All investigation
Of the situation to be made by u joint
commission consisting OF representatives
of the State Of New York. New Jersey and
the War Department. The extensions
authorized will be of temporary construc-
tion and will be removable by order of
the Secretary OF War in the event that
they prove to be obstructive to the North
River navigation. This was the outcome
Of q brief hearing held before Secretary
Dickinson AT the War Department to-day
Vice-President p. 5. A. Franklin Of the
International Merchant Marine explained
the proposal Of his company to the De-
partmsnt.
I'VE are grievously disappointed. said
he. with the report Of the New York
Harbor Line Board We also feel that il
adhered to it will be seriously detrimental
to the development Of the trade and CON-
merce of New York and Of the port being
able to maintain it's present commercial
supremacy in the world Of commerce.
On the other hand we are not here to dis
cuss the pros and cons Of that report.
We are here to suggest that you give
your serious and careful confederation
| to the position in which We are. We have
ships coming to New York. the first one
in June We have no place at which
safely and properly 10 dock her, We are
anxious indeed to do everything in our
power properly to meet this situation.
with that in view. and considering
that the State of New York and the State
Of New Jersey are appointing a commits
sion to investigate this whole matter and
look into it thoroughly and into the
commercial interests OF the port Of New
York generally. if you would agree Il
allow us. at our own cost. temporarily
to extend our present piers no that thest
steamships can be safely and properly
protected during the time Of this investi
CATION. We will agree with you. at any tim'
you see At. il you find that these exten
sions are detrimental to the navigation
and commerce Of the river or any othe
commercial interest. to remove them
We would ask you TO leave them IL yo,
could see your way clear until this com
mission can make its report and recon
mend some other proper place. Thers
is to-day no other place where thes'
steamships can go
Secretary Dickinson and Brig Gen
william II. Bxby, chief OF engineers
asked questions to ascertain the characte
Of the proposed extensions. Mr.. Frank
lin assured Secretary Dickinson that tn
extensions would consist Of temporar,
construction. He also promised to sub
init plans OF the proposed extensions I,
the War Department for the approva
! OF the army engineers, II they wer'
found to be obstructive to navigation
Mr.. Franklin promised to remove then
upon the request of the Secretary OF Wa
without resort to legal proceedings.
Calvin Tomkins, Dock Commissions
OF New York. supported the reaues
of Mr. Franklin.
) I'VE think" said Mr. Tomkins. tina
the extension is very necessary for III
commerce of the city and in order TO an
able the city to adapt its policy to tn
regulations that are imposed upon
by the United States Government. A
regards the character of the construction
il is necessary in that district, owin
10 the depth of the water and the tide
to have the ordinary pier construction
that is. simply pile construction. Tn
water is some forty feet deep there and tn
piing will have to be about eighty fee
long. allowing for penetration, 10 b
strong enough 10 sustain the impaC
Of vessels and the tidal conditions "
simply want a construction that wi
be strong enough to stand up under tn
service 10 which it is to be put. "
contemplate no stone construction. II
permanent construction only con
struction sufficiently strong to enabl
the vessels to dock there"
After retiring for few moments to hi
, private Office for a consultation wit
Gen Bixby Secretary Dickinson an
nounced his approval of tho reques
made by Mr. Franklin
The request made. in view of the es
igency and Of the large commercial ir
terests Of a great port like New Yorl
coupled a. it is with the conditions ths
were developed" said Secretary Dickir
son. Seems to me to he reasonable. an
. am going to grant it, But l shall dra
license which will be very strict in il
g terms and which will be capable of yer
. prompt enforcement. II will embody
|. substance provisions for the characte
OF construction as has been develope
here was glad to hear you say yo
J did not contemplate roofing it or pla
: forming 1t in. because all OF these thinl
:, might be regarded by the general publ
= as just an effort to get foothold. with
4 view"
4 "That is not our object" interrupte
r Mr. Franklin.
II understand that il is not" continue
Secretary Dickinson. "and you have bee
!, very frank and candid in your statemen
and with the character of constructio
, as indicated. with the provisions Il
, removal, and especially in view OF III
. boards that are to be appointed and tn
3 great interests involved, this seems (