New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-01-18
'ST|MSON AGREES
TO HARBOR PLAN
Continued from first page.

the plans Of the Harbor Commission.
He said that the bill provides for
greater extension of the pier line than
Is demanded.
Speaking Of the policy of his admins
tration in regard to harbor facilities,
Mayor Gaynor declared that he had en-
deavOred 10 wrest the control Of the
waterfront from the railroad interests
and give il to the steamship interests,
where it belonged. He declared that
the recent policy has been against long
leases as the ultimate aim is to provide
ample facilities for the steamship lines
i'm order TO maintain New York's SUI
premacy as "A shipping centre.
The Mayor was asked by Secretary
Stimson if it was not possible for the
city 10 build dock between Franklin
and Charlton streets, and the inquiry
elected the answer that the possibility
Of such a project is hampered at pres
ent by the fact that the dock fund Of
SI0.o01Dco is tied up in the courts.
Mayor Gaynor said that steps had
been taken TO release the fund, part
Of which is needed for subways, and
that he was hopeful that money from
this source would soon be available for
improvement OF the harbor facilities.
On Diar IN Tu,a Ware
Pressed for assurances as 10 the time
that will probably be required to make
the promised Improvements. Mayor
Gaynor said that he believed it would
be possible 10 build one pier in two
years and second pier in three years.
He asserted that he would not under
take to make promises beyond his ad-
ministration. but that he was certain
that the increase i'm business and other
demands would make II imperative for
the city 10 push the completion Of the
new piers as rapidly as possible. Mayor
Gaynur continued.
agree with Secretary Stimson that Il
would be short -slghtednsss not To look to
the future. notwithstanding the fact that
some temporary provision must be made
for the present. | am in favor OF tdking
the railroad grip off from the waterfront
and making the harbor line Improvements
solely for the use Of the steamship lines.
Il heartily agree that the railroads
should not have such hold on the
waterfront" said Secretary StimsOn.
Colonel William b. Black. of the en-
gineer corps OF the army. gave the de-
tails OF an investigation he had made
at the direction OF Secretary Stimson
regarding the current OF the river and
the measurements Of the piers. He
said that the current OF the river az
Chelsea, where the fairwsy IL the mar
rOwest being 2.I9j feet. has increased
from two and one-half miles an hour
10 four miles an hour, and. in his opin-
ion, the condition has aggravated the
danger OF accidents at that point and
made navigation more difficult.
The information received from the
president Of the New York Pilots As
ISOLATION is that the danger is no great
or on account Of the current or conges-
ton" interrupted Mayor Gaynor. IN
fact. talked with other pilots and per-
SONS who should know what they are
talking about and they say there is no
danger"
Mayor Gaynor then renewed his plea
FOR an extension Of the permit grant
ing the White Star temporary pier eX-
tension for the life Of the lease, which
j. twenty years longer but Iecretary
Stimson reiterated his declaration that
he could not see the necessity for such
action. although he said he would re-
serve his decision.