New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-03-02
Governor Edge
For Joint Board
ToDevelop Port
Commission Would Pre-
pare for Export Age
After Present War
City's Heads Approve
Distribution of Industries
Would Be Facilitated,
Prendergast Says
City's Heads Approve

Governor Walter f. Edge OF New
Jersey made plea yesterday at meet
ing of the Chamber of Commerce Of the
State of New York for closer coopera-
ton between New York and New Jersey
in developing the port of New YORK
The appointment Of commission like
that in charge Of the Interstate Park
would coordinate efforts to prepare the
port for the export age" coming after
the war, he said, and would do away
with "ineffcient rivalry
With closer relations established
Governor Edge foresaw the speedy COM
pletion of a traffic tunnel under the
Hudson and the obliteration Of state
and county lines when the welfare OF
the port OF New York was in question.
New York Harbor, he said. was a ma
tional institution.
1--WE cannot grow" he said, while
tightly bandaged in the swaddling
clothes of provircialism.
81 believe tina; a joint commission
should be appointed by the two states
to prepare a plan Tor tightening the
burdens in New yorg Harbor. outlining
the benefits to as we'll as the duties OF
the two states.
Carriers May Assist
"The railroads are under tremendous
expense largely by reason Of their in
dividual terminal operations at New
York. ! believe that such q joint com
mission, composed of representatives
Of the carriers, both land and water,
and of the states would serve most
valuable national purpose"
Controller Prendergast. responding
for New York, said that there was no
doubt Of the cooperation of the present
administration in any plan that would
benefit the port.
Great public improvements are al
ways hampered by the inertia of the
public" he declared land IL is necessary
TO overcome this lack of interest before
definite steps can be undertaken. Such
cooperation as that advocated by Gov
ernor Edge is necessary, If for no
other reason, TO bring about a proper
distribution of industries and labor
and TO help in solving the immigration
problem"
Resolutions calling for a Federal
investigation to discover what steps
should be taken to conserve raw mate
rails in preparation for the afterwar
trade. brought a vigorous protest from
j. Howard Cowperthwait. What was
more necessary, he said. was TO fscil-
itate the manufacture of war materials.
Embargo Is Feared
"If p Congressional committee should
reach a conclusion" he said, at is most
likely il would be one recommending
an embargo on the shipment of war
materials. Such a step would be TO the
interest of Germany and against the
interest Of England and France.
"If you are German sympathizer,
vote for the resolution, and If you want
the interests of America protected and
the interests of our allies safeguarded,
vote against the resolution" he said.
Notwithstanding Mr.. Cowperthwaits
argument, the resolutions were adopt
ed. Another set, however, calling for
"a flexible bargaining tariff to protect
the United States against foreign dis
elimination, was tabled. IL was thought
that the interjection Of tariff discus
sions into Congress at such a critical
juacture in national affairs would not
be wise.