The citizen. (Honesdale, Pa.) 1908-1914, 1912-10-30
PLAN NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
OF PORT OFFICIALS
Country-Wide Movement to be
Launched on December 3.
Philadelphia, Oct. 2S.

Philadelphia, Oct. 2S.
Before January /, 1913, the first
national association of seaport au-
thorities ever organized in this coun-
bership made up OF the executive Of
ficials of all the important ports on
the Atlantic, Gulf and Pacific coasts,
if plans now under way are carried
to a successful conclusion.
The purpose of the association is
understood to be that of advancing
port development projects through
bringing into closer and more SYM
pathetic relationship those who are
now directing such improvements
along individual lines; and it is not
improbable that ultimately the or
ganization will become the agency of
a concerted movement to bring be-
fore the country at large the urgent
necessity for better equipped Ameri-
can ports to meet the requirements of
an increasing foreign trade.
The idea originated with George
w. Norris, Director of the Depart
ment Of Wharves, Docks and Ferries,
Philadelphia; Calvin Tomkins, Com
missioner of Docks and Ferries,
New York, and General Hugh Ban
croft, Chief Director of the Port of
Boston, and in a meeting between
the three in New York, week ago,
it was decided to formally launch
the movement for a national associa-
ton on December 3.
Within the next few days invita-
tions will be extended to the execu-
tives of every seaport in the United
States to attend conference to be
held on that date. 1t is not expected
that the officials of distant ports will
be able to attend this meeting, and
it will take the form of a prelimin-
airy conference for the adoption of a
tentative plan of procedure.
This much accomplished, the real
work of enrolling all the port au-
thorities in the United States will be
begun. Those who attend the meet
ing will go from New York to Bos-
ton, and from Boston to Philadel-
phia, after which, following a pre-
arranged schedule, they will visit the
other ports of Importance along the
Atlantic and Gulf coasts, as far west
as Galveston.
The object of this tour is not
alone to enlist members, but also to
bring forcibly before all those di-
rectly or indirectly connected with
port development projects, the i'm
portant part this association is to
take in the movement to encourage
the increase foreign trade.
1t is generally recognized that the
broad knowledge, experience and un-
| derstanding now required for the
successful management of any i'm
portant port has resulted in men of
rare executive ability being placed
in charge of them; but thus far
there has been no systematic scheme
of development, nor have the various
| port executives had the means of a
free and full exchange OF opinions.
Director Norris and Commissioner
| Tomkins believe that the time has
| arrived for more extensive co-opera-
| tion. One of the greatest difficulties
| encountered in port development is
that of procuring the necessary mu-
nicipal, State and Federal support.
/ They believe that publicity on a
broad scale, which is but one of the
possibilities of a national associa-
ton, is the proper remedy to apply
to such a condition.
While it is planned to carry the
tour of organization no further than
Galveston this year, 1t is the inten-
tion of those who have organized the