Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-05-01

TV.oW'"g diSchsston yesterday OF Phtt-
edefphtd's lack OF public ownership Of its
ssver frontage aud poor public belt facilities
the VISITOR from Ne,o Orleans finds addi-
ttondI points Of contrast betwsen the ttoo
cNtes, the first and most important Of
sehtch Is the dock system aud governing
body Of that system.
BY reason OF freedom and almost unlim-
tied power accorded the Dock Board of New
Orleans. it is far more able to serve the
citys interests than is the Department Of
WharNes. Docks and Ferries in philadel-
phia, which corresponds to II as a governing
body. The Dock Board came into exist
ence through Act No. 40 Of the Louisiana
Legislature of 1896, Reporting annually TO
the Governor. its commissioners serve with
out pay and elect their own officers,
IL was this body that produced tho five
and one-quarter mites of permanent
wharves, steel sheds and docks covering an
area of 2642, 500 square feet bv authoriz-
Ing an issue of $4,000, 900 per cent tax-ex-
empt bonds. The board has also accom-
plished n great deal to reduce tho cost of
shipping. and has often summoned efficiency
engineers to hear and act on the express
need of the shipper.
Although PhiladeIphia's progress as a
port has been retarded by reason Of limited
public belt utilities. its claim 20 second
port in the United States is undoubtedly
Just From June 30. 1915 to February
50, lSli, fnlldueInnla showing Tor export
trade was s39,1l2.501 In the first year, as
against s3026T9.304 in the latter year
During the same time New orleans. show
ing was sl2s,944529. as against Sl92,275.-
s11. And although New orleans still dis
putes Phiadelphia's claim to second place
II. with Boston and Baltimore. ranks around
fifth place.
PHILADELPHIA MOVES AHEAD
Gradually freeing herself from undue
bondage, Philadelphia is making big strides
OF progress. A new pier is being con-
structed at Mexican street. 1t is to be
900 feet long and $50 feet wide. of the
double-deck style, and a contract has been
let for a pier on the Delaware River at the
foot of Cherry street that will be con.
structed of REINFORCED concrete and struc-
tural steel Another per is being plarnei
for the foot of Kennilworth street Add-
tional improvements may be announced in
the near future according to a rumor in
shipping circles.
Philadephia's docks and wharves are
greater in number than the model structures
In New Orleans. on the Delaware and
Schuylkil Rivers there are thirty-seven
miles of harbor equipment The docks. or
wharves in New Orleans extend only fifteen
miles along the Mississippi from Westwego
above the city to Chalmette five miles be.ow
Canal street.
Vessels land broadsde against the
wharves in New orleans, which extend from
100 to $50 feet over the water This is
necessary because of silt deposits Unload
Ing is sometimes done in midstream. Here.
again, is a direct contrast to Phadephia's
slip. or dock, system
All things considered. the New Orleans
visitor is most favorablv ->7ressed with
Philadelphia as a port. To hi there is a
contrast noticeaby strikI when facilities
are compared with systems operated in New
Orleans.
ton, the labor element and the cosmopolitan, |
Latin atmosphere of New orleans make i
difficult general comparison of the two
cities.
ROMANCE STILL LIVES
Side-wheel steamboats,. an ever-present
abundance of cotton bales and the happy
negro laborers on the New Orleans wharvcs |
still lend an atmosphere of romance that is |
not so noticeable here. In the warmth of |
Dixie's burning sun, songs of the blacks |
mingled with the not unfamiliar vernacular |
OF the boss stevedore's profanity, create |
contrast even within the city itself be- |
cause, with these characteristics. there is |
frrevocably linked the modern freight |
handling machines so typical of twentieth |
century progress.
Proud of the 5000 miles of navigable
canals and streams within his State of |
the $4,000 miles of navigable rivers reach |
Ing from New Orleans to Pittsburgh, on |
the east, to Chicago on the north and |
Kansas City on the west, and the deep-sea |
trade routes from New Orleans to all parts |
of the world, not to mention the city's close |
5uxtaposition to the east coast of Mexico, |
Central America, to Cuba, the West India |
Islands and the Panama Canal, the New |
Orleans visitor in Philadelphia is almost |
willing to concede the disputed second place |
to the latter metropolis, contented with the |
fact that his, IL not the largest is one of |
the model. most efficient ports in the world |