Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1914-12-28
NEW ERA FOR PORT
PROMISED IF PLANS
ARE CARRIED OUT
Economy and Efficiency
Commissions Recon- :
mendations Follow In
vestigation of Needs Here.

The dawn OF a new era for this port
is at hand, according to shipping men
today, II the recommendations OF the
Pennsylvania Economy and Efficiency
Commission are carried out.
The report OF the commission made
public at Harrisburg yesterday did not
surprise maritime circles here, as it
was known members of the committee
had been investigating the needs of the
port The advantages to the whole State
of developing this port were pointed out
to the commission.
The recommendations of the committee
are In line with the plans announced
recently by the Republican organization
leaders for the appropriation of sufficient
funds to improve the port. With the
appropriation of 100000 for the start
OF the a5-foot channel from Allegheny
avenue to the sea the port faces bright
future.
WILL ACT ON SUGGESTIONS.
All of the improvements suggested by
the Efficiency Commission, 1t is under
stood. will be carried out by the Depart
ment OF Wharves, Docks and Ferries
The expense will be met by the ap-
preparation provided for in a consttu-
tional amendment introduced In the last
Legislature. There are two such amend
ments, one providing for joint sum OF
about s65,Oo0,000 for transit and harbor
improvements. and the other for S25. 100000
for port betterInent alone. The latter
amendment. in the opinion of shipping
men, should be defeated In order to avoid
ushf will
the purpose OF both.
The recommendations as incorporated
In the report follow:
1--WE recommend that the State build
whRrves and warehouses provided with
the best mechanical transshipping equip
ment; that she take steps for the COM
pletion and Improvement OF the belt line
railway and its connection with wharves.
warehouses and railroads; that she main
tain wharves for transient or independent
vessels; that she build drydoek to ac-
commodate ocean steamers of the largest
type; that she keep the docks dredged,
and that she provide deeper channels in
the Delaware and Schuylkill Rivers. If
the initial steps for elaborate improve
ments are taken at this time. Philadelphia
with its natural advantages will be re-
stored to the position OF commercial su-
premacy that she once occupied"
At the present time. Director Norris. of
tub department OF HndFNe5t DOCKS ana
Ferries, Is endeavcring to do most OF the
things recommended, but he has been
handicapped by lack OF appropriations.
Last year the State appropriated only
$4,000 for the work OF the department.
$4,000 OF which had to be paid as salary
to an engineer, position created by the
Legislature.
DRYDocK IDEA A SURPRISE.
The suggestion that the State build a
dFydock was a surprise. The drydock
question has long been troublesome in
shipping circles. II was hoped the Fed
eral Government would construct a dock
at the Philadelphia Navy Yard. which
could be used by merchant vessels. This
hope has not been dispelled.
The drydock, maritime men believe.
should be built by the Government at the
navy yard, because Government ships
have frequent need for IT, Only oc-
easionally does the port get merchant
vessels too large for the present docks
On these occasions the Government could
charge the owners Of the vessels for
the use OF It's dock.
Abolition OF the once OF health oficer
OF the port OF Philadelphia, now held by
Charles II. Heustis, viii not meet with
opposition among shipping men, as the
State Quarantine Board always has done
the work the occupant Of this position
was supposed to do.