New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-01-27
PLANS KEYL|NE PIERS
Riverside Park System Could
Dock New Liners, Tomkins Says.
COL. BLACK THINKS so, TOO
Harbor Line Board Completes
Hearing on North River
Pier Extensions.

The proposed extension of It's docks one
hundred feet on both sides of the North
River to provide for the monster new
steamships Olympic and Titanic, OF the
White Star Line, was argued yesterday by
the parties interested at the continued
hearing before Colonel w. T. Rossell,
chairman Of the New York Harbor Line
Board. In the Army Building. The war
department has opposed the extension OF
the docks on the ground that the conges-
ton Of shipping in the North River would
not permit with safety a reduction in the
width Of the river fer dock purposes. The
two new steamships will be s3 feet In
length, and the steamship company con-
tended that there were no docks adequate
to accommodate the big boats.
r. A. c. Smith, chairman OF the special
committee appointed by the Chamber or
Commerce to investigate the matter, in
formed the board that the report OF the
committee would be filed on February 2
Mr.. Smith said he personally favored the
extension and that the consequent change
in the width of the river would have no
effect on either sailing or steam craft, In
his opinion
Mr.. Smith added that this extension
should be the limit Of encroachment on the
river. which remark brought pertinent
retort from Colonel Black. of the harbor
board, who said the same promise had been
held out before, but that Il did not appear
reasonable for any man to attempt TO de-
termine the actions OF his grandson.
Charles Sumner, agent Of the Cunard
Line, testified that his company was build
ing steamers which would need new and
longer piers. as the slips W uld be as large
as the White Star liners. He said the
Cunard company did not want to build
larger vessels, but competition compelled
the change He admitted that the large
steamers. when completed. would seek an
other port If piers could not be provided on
the Manhattan side Of the river
General j. Evart Tracy a retired engi-
neer strongly opposed any attempt at pier
extension. He said the best interests of the
harbor Of New York and its future busl-
ness and world shipping would need abso-
lutely every foot of the surface of the
North River, and that TO permit any change
in the present pier ana harbor line would
ploitation at the behest of any one who
had scheme to propose.
Asked by Vice-Preeident Franklin, Of the
International Mercantile Marine Company,
where he would say the two new ships
should go, General Tracy replied that this
was not the question before the board.
1T has been threatened that these ships
may find another port" General Tracy
continued. with a loss TO business and
hotels and at an inconvenience TO passen-
gers. but such nonsense should not be per-
n.itted 10 affect the real interests of the
river and harbor. The bigger ships may 90
to Halifax, Boston. Philadelphia or Balti-
more DO you suppose that big man who
wants TO come to New York will not do so
because he cannot come on a big vessel?
The present size steamships are large
enough to carry at one time several big
men"
Calvin Tomkins. Commissioner of Docks.
appeared before the board and spoke in
favor OF the pier extensions. Mr.. Tomkns
said that selfish interests were at work at
this port which had opposed railroad ter
minals I'm Manhattan, and likewise would
oppose better steamship pier facilities, With
the desire OF forcing business to other sec
tlons.
Colonel Black, OF the army engineer
board said New York had never had a
systematic dock policy which looked to the
future OF the harbor. but only makeshift
temporary plan to meet immediate neces-
sites
Commissioner Tomkins agreed that the
city should have had a better plan in this
respect. He said. however. that plans now
under way in the Dock Department pro-
vided for an improved system. which in
Guided larger piers, LOO feet or more, OFF
Riverside Park, to consist OF kcyline piers
or docks built parallel with the river
1t was suggested to the board that pend
ing final disposal Of the problem the Inter-
national Mercantile Marine Company be
granted a temporary permit for extension
OF the two piers, 10 remain In force until
proper facilities could be provided some
where on Manhattan Island.
Colonel Black said there was no doubt
that pier facilities could be provided be-
tween 23d and 10th street, on the North
River, by building system of keyline piers
WHICH NObIu bt NoIItpiSltu "ItllH i've years.
President Franklin, Of the Mercantile
Marine. promised to move 30 any such
point when the facilities were provided.
Colonel Rossel announced that the hear
ing was closed. and gave ten days In which
to file additional briefs by the parties in
terested Colonel Rossell said the board
might deem it advisable to consider other
matters besides the question of the pier
extensions in its final report.