Evening journal., 1917-05-12
Engineer McgS UnfOldS Plans For RUcr Front Development

gained. At this time. in the decade OF
10000. there was some reason for
this growing pre-eminence OF New
York, as the then recent construction
of the Erie Canal from the Hudson
river to Lake Erie had made the Mo-
hawk and Hudson Valleys the logical
low-grade freight route between the
Great Lakes and the new West and
the Atlantic Ocean.
"The foundations for a great ma
rine trade, laid at that time on a firm
basis of reason, eventually drew TO
Manhattan Island, as an irresistible
lodestone, nearly all of the principal
ocean-carrying companies of the
world, and although the original good
reason which attracted them has long
since disappeared with the changes in
land transportation methods. the
steamship companies still remain in
their old termini, doing business
under rules of favoritism which still
enable them to more than hold their
own against competing lines in other
ports.
ION the principle Of the old saw.
that nothing succeeds like success.
the mere presence Of so many Of
these steamship lines at New York
with their frequent sailings TO every
part of the world, and the compare
lively poor service from other ports,
has made the upbuilding Of business
at the minor ports more difficult than
1t should have been considering their
natural advantages. But 10 permit
this condition to be a deterrent to
othef ports in going after marine
trade would be no more sensible than
for a merchant or a manufacturer de-
string to set up I'm a certain cOmmu-
nifty to refrain from so doing because
some earlier competitor had beaten
him to it and had already hogged all
of the best trade. If this principle
were followed out it would be mean
that practically no new ventures of
any kind would be undertaken. To
a man of weak and wabbly backbone
the fact that he has to contend
against well organized competitors
might be sufficient 70 eliminate him
from the game, but 70 an individual of
more rugged constitution It would
merely be an incentive TO more ac-
tive effort. Astute, resourceful. and
arrogant New York business mer
have by unfair railroad concessions
succeeded until now. in holding this
enormous disproportional trade in
their grasp. but this artificial restric-
ton OF the free movement of our for
eign commerce cannot much longer
withstand public opinion against it.
more ports at points where bust
ness can be economically done are
going TO be needed in the United
States in the near future, and there Is
no time for preparing for the future
like the pres ent. England, with an
area Of six per cent Of the eastern
portion of the United States, a coast
line about 1000 miles long and mar
thine trade Of nearly similar proper
tons. has twelve ports of first rank
along its shores, located an average
distance of about 40 miles from each
other; while the Eastern United
States. with a shore line 1900 miles
longer. has but seven ports OF any
real quality along its Atlantic and
Gulf coasts. and they are each separ.
ated p distance Of nearly 460 miles.
The Example OF Manchester.
That the mere proximity OF on
city to another already established Il
maritime trade, need not necessaril.
act as a bar TO the development Of il
own ambitions TO become frst-clas
port itself is amply demonstrated il
the case Of Manchester, England, an