The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1911-04-04
Karb0rmaSter>
 Morris Tells Of
 Great Shipping
Annual Report Shows Phenome- nal Growth - Recommends More Wharfage

Recommendation from Harbormas- Common Council last evening that steps be taken to provide the city with better wharfage facilities was referred to the Committee on Har- bor improvements for investigation The report of the harborrnaster shows phenomenal growth in the city's ship ping and points out that even the great commerce of our waterfront would be much larger if better har- -bor facilities were afforded. The re- port follows:
 To his honor the mayor and the Board of aldermen of the City of Bridgeport:-
 In accordance with the city or dinance governing the office of har- hoTmaSter, I submit the following re- port for the year ending March S1, 1911:
 It is with great pride that I an- nounce that commerce of the Indus trial capital is more than keeping pace with the growth of the city's in } dustries and population. The total tonnage of Bridgeport harbor for the last fiscal year amounted to 2.057,923 tons. gain of S05.036 tons over last year.
 This is the greatest tonnage record in the history of the city and a gain
 
 fiscal year ending March 31. 1910. No matter how impressive these figures may seem, the majority of seafaring men state that the com possible to make it if our people would realize the importance of the harbor. Captains of coasting vessels are loath to come to Bridgeport be- cause of the uncertainties of securing wharfage here Shippers who can ~-4I, &1lr chances of sending cargoes here for fear that demurrage charges would be too heavy. There have been a num- Der of instances where demurrage charges on cargoes unloaded here were greater than the carrying charges.
 I would respectfully suggest that Asreps be taken by the city to secure Snore wharf property that will be |available to vessels coming here Adequate wharves would bring the city a revenue that would make any property purchased a splendid invest ment with only a moderate charge for wharfage privileges. The W. S. kWilmot property. between Stratford yavenue and Maiden lane with a front Rege on the harbor of several hundred Yfeet, is for sale. I respectfully recom- mend that a committee be appointed 10 ascertain the possibilities of secur- kng this property
 Conditions at Wall Street.
 The upland could be disposed of as hnly the water front property would be n>eded for city water. Two en- frances, one from Stratford avenue land one from Maiden lane could be provided I again call attention to he inadequate wharfage at the foot sf Wall street, which is the only place that excursion steamers can land kgassengers during the coming sum- tner-
 ! desire to call attention to the act that 1t is quite necessary that the
 uestion of who owns the Henry treef basin be settled for once and Tor all time. l unders tand that the rity paid for its construction but that
 number of corporations that own he abutting property claim to own he inlet Private parties who claim he city owns the property are con tantly bringing their vessels to an- hor there, and their right to do so is |iuestioned by the employees of the orporattons. The situation is very nnoying one and should be settled efors conditions lead to violence.
 There is said to be much valuable property owned by the city at the foot M various streets which extend to he water. Our citizens who own ,ozts and desire to bring them to hese places claim that they are ob- lructed by the property of parties Fho claim title 10 the land. I am pnstant1y asked who owns the prop rty at the foot of these streets. I espectfuily ask the common council settle this question for once and