Evening journal., 1912-07-11
THURSDAY. JULY II, 1912
RIe RrrrRNs rR0M ruRLc MArERFR0Nr

BIG RETURNS FROM PUBLIC WATERFRONT.
T. OR the enlightenment Of those taxpayers and voters
of Wilmington who have been led to think by
the friends of the Delaware river waterfront exploers
that municipality owned waterfront cannot be made
to pay desire to call attention an extract from
speech delivered Tuesday by Calvin Tomkins,
Dock Commissioner of New York. before representa-
tves Of The civic organizations of that city. Commits
soner Tomkns is the great harhor expert who, when
he in Wilmington several months ago viewed our
waterfront and said the city ought own IT, even II
Il had TO pay 900 for Il and borrow the money
IN order 10 get IT," At that time il was not known by
him or by others here that the State Delaware owns
the waterfront and that the claims of the Wilmington
Terminal Company and its associates were fictitious
We have no doubt that IL the opinion of Commissioner
Tomkins we're asked the question to-day and If he
were informed that the city could get the waterfront
from the State for the asking. he would saw Take
1t by all means. and hold tightly for the sake Of
the commercial future of your city"
In an earnest plea for better terminal facilities in
New York and for the comprehensive enlargement Of
the cys already large holdings Of waterfront pro
perty Commissioner Tomkins said:
in cooperation with his Honor tho Mavor and tbo
corporation Counsel have secured from the Legisla-
pre. Home Rule legislation ample permit tho city
10 cope with It's great port responsibility The available
credits based upon selfsusainng dock bonds are su-
cient for the initial appropriations The comprehensive
plans for port Improvement and administration pre-
paleu pS tne Guys accredited experts in the Dock
Department have for months been waiting considera-
ton and public discussion by the Board Of Estimate
again public consideration of these plans by the
Board without further disastrous delay since cheap
handling of commodities in and the port includ-
ing food fuel materials finished products of
manufacture, is vital TO the Cy's continued growth
and prosperity.
rNew York is perhaps the most sought for port in
the world for marine commerce; and yet Is tie most
expensive of the great ports through which ship
commodities once they have arrived here.
Baltimore Philadelphia. Boston, Montreal and les
ser Auahuc ports are openly striving TO defect com
merce from New York which would otherwise come
here They arc succeeding in their efforts Inc es-
adjustment OF new steamer lines at the outpors demon
strates The recent decision Of the Interstate Com
merce Commission placing its sanction upon the arb
rary dnerential against New York City and the
establishment Of zone systems Of railroad adverse
10 New York and In favor western cities are urgent
reasons why the city should endeayor to develop its
IN order that Il may hold its trade and industries
The gross revenues of the city from dock and slip
rent for 1911 amounted to S5614 51292 and the
operation and maintenance, including administration
expenses. amounted to 81 t7736519 leaving net in
come from pier rentals Of S4AS71f77S. To divert the
funds other uses will be 80 Kill the goose that
lays the golden eggs All ether Atlantic seaports that
know Of are taking mosrv from their general tax re.
ceips to build docks and terminals for the purpose of
attracting commerce and manufactures In contradis-
tnction 10 this policy New York only does do
but turns the receipts of its dock fund the general
city fund. ont of which local improvements paid
for. This in effect constitutes an imposition upon the
nations commerce 70 provide for the oitys local con-
veniences
Evidence presented to the New York Food In
vestigaton Commission shows that only 35 per cent
OF the cost food in New York City revers 30 the
farmer IS per cent. is absorbed in transportation
handling inefficient terminals by city traders BY
far The larger part of this unnecessary expense is
20 lack of modern terminal facilities in New York
necessating expensive truckage storage wastage anC
retail distribution An analogous statement may be
made regarding the receipts and distribution of the
materials and finished products of factories.
The very size of New York and the magnitude Of rs
commerce is beginning TO interfere with its eficienc,
seaport The quickness and enterprise with which
growing community continually readjusts itself {
its changing environment is the best measure of ia
capacity for orderly growth. The larger and NOR
complex the civic organism. the more dificult and
vital is the effort Of resdjustment
1.-THE justification for the vast subway expenditure
contemplated will be such Improvement Of waite
rail terminals shall promptly and automatica
expand the commerce. industries. wealth and popula
tion Of City that may live up to the fun us
transit. In the end II is the cheap handlin
OF commodities the terminals that will make econ
omicslly possible the cheap handling of passengers II
the suhways.'
The premier city Of America. most of the tim
by Tammany Hall show net receipts of almot
si5000oo from its publicly-owned docks an
slips What answer that fact is TO the argumer
OF representatives. of the Delaware river waterfror
sxploiters that public-ownershp waterfront prol
srty i-variably has been financial failure