Norwich bulletin., 1912-11-26
FRENCH CAPITAL FOR
 USE AT MoNTAUK POINT
Promoter Said to Be Investigating
 Millions of Money Available. He Says, if He Reports Favorably.

The Boston Transcript has the fol- lowing to say. editorially, about Mon tauk Point and its possible develop ment as an ocean steamship terminal:
 The present limitations of New York dock facilities are interesting the transportation class of business men more and more in the possibilities of Montauk Point, and it appears to be also attracting the attention of out siders as an investment proposition. A French promoter, who has inveSti- gated the conditions there on several previous occasions, with reference to Its potential development, is again on the ground and claims that only his favorable report upon the proposition is awaited to enlist millions of dol lars of French capital in the enter prise. He says that the French gov ernment is now spending about sixty million dollars in constructing rail- road from Brest to Paris which will shorten the trip to this country at least seven hours. Private capital is building a harbor, and with a termi- nal at Montauk Point, used by the same steamship line which will dock at Brest, with saving at this end of 220 miles, a shortening of the sea trip by twenty four hours will be ef- fected
 But public sentiment might not prove altogether friendly to French capital and French control of an en- terprise which would possibly become vital factor in the commercial de- velopment of our largest seaport. At any rate, there are interests nearer home that are not wholly indifferent to it's possible advantages. The pres ian,,f nf fhn Tclon6 ToilrnnH O. gently employed an expert, Commo- dore Wood, a retired naval officer with instructions to draw up com plete plan of estimate of costs, for the establishment of great steamship terminal at the Point This expert has made his report which includes alternative propositions, and is sai6 to be the most comprehensive ever prepared on this subject. In his judg- ment the construction of a breakwatel to cost about three million dollars would be the initial step, but this would be only the beginning.
 Free Zone Suggested.
 A free zone" is suggested for i'm. ports at Montauk, and it's operation by the federal government. The meth cd of procedure recommended is fol | the United States government to aC. quire ample land, establish a proper | terminal port at Fort Pond bay, witl | buildings, breakwaters, piers an( plant; issue bonds covering the cos 1 and lease to an operating compan! at a rising rental which would mee the interest and provide sinking i fund sufficient to pay the bonds in ;
 term of years. the terms of the leas, | tO he Suph as tO S9fepllard the Ou'hlil
 and provide for renewals.
 Another Plan.
 The second plan proposes an en l abling act by congress for the con
 this is completed to give the Pennsyl vania railroad control of the harbo1
 This seems to be rather the preferre
 suggestion, since it is stated that 'i 1 would be similar to the far -Seein 1 plan which has resulted in the Ney l York station and the East river tun I nels of this corporation. By this plal | no time would be lost and the termi
 nal would be finished and in opera | tion years before it could be com | pleted by the federal government.
 view of the congestion of marine traf
 fic at New York harbor, an outlyin port of this character is declared t
 be an absolute necessity in the future | Whatever other means may be- em l ployed to relieve the embarrassment | by which New York is now confront ed in her harbor, the congestion growing at a rate that would giv
 Montauk Point plenty of business, an
 the project is not likely to be let alon
 while it is so full of promise.