New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-11-10
Hubert Said ToBe
Hylan's Choice for
Dock Commissioner
Tammany Representative
Is Called Best Guess"
for Big Post

Murray Hubert, the Tammany Rep
resentative, who managed Charles l..
Craig's campaign for Controller and
who delivered the speech in the House
of Representatives protesting against
the injection of the patriotic issue into
the New York political arena, is slated
for Commissioner of Docks and Ferries
under John F. Hylan. At least, Mr.
Hubert is the "best guess" of those
in touch with the maelstrom OF in
trigue which is already besetting the
Mayor elect in the matter OF appoint
ments.
This report is of national Importance
for the reason that of all departments
OF the city government that Of Docks
and Ferries comes in closest contact
with the Federal authorities in the con,
duct Of the war. The intelligence and
sympathetic cooperation of the Com
missioner of Docks and Ferries is es-
sential to the smooth working OF the
transport service, to the expediting OF
munitions transportation, both for our
own troops and those of our allies, and
TO the proper distribution on this side
o. the water of such domestic and IN
dustrial necessities as coal
Hubert has the reputation Of pa
triot and of competent executive. In
the House of Representatives he had
an important part in the passage o. the
huge appropriation for aviation effect.
ed this last summer, and though OF
Tammany, by Tammany and for Tam
many, he is credited With private pro-
test against the subservience to Muir
phys dictation imposed on the Tam
many delegation in Congress.
ITS a damn shame" he is quoted
as saying to friend last winter, that
before one of us can make a speech
0. K"
But however excellent Mr.. Hulbert's
intentions, he will find it difficult to
provide the maximum of efficient CO.
operation with the Federal authorities
while he is striving 10 become familiar
with the intricseies Of his new posi-
ton. The Commissioner of Docks and
Ferries has exclusive charge and con-
troll, subject in certain particulars to
the Commissioners of the Sinking
Fund, Of all wharf property belonging
10 the City Of New York. He is also
invested with the government and reg
ulation Of all wharf property not
owned by the city.
He has power TO grant permits for
the use of wharf property for periods
not exceeding one year; 20 make con-
tracts for construction work. furnish
ing the materials and supplies, under
the sum of $1,000; to direct private
owners to dredge or deepen slips ad-
joining their docks, slips or bulkheadS;
to make rules and regulations and give
such directions as will secure dispatch
In loading and unloading vessels and
the prompt removal of same from the
wharf property as soon as completed,
also such as shall be necessary TO pre-
vent any unnecessary accumulation OF
freight or merchandise while any YES
sci Is receiving or discharging cargo;
to order the removal OF any vessel from
any portion of the waterfront which IL
it not entitled to occupy.
Subject TO the approval OF the Com
missioners of the Sinking Fund, he
also has the following powers: To es
tablish bulkhead and pierhead lines; to
adopt and execute general plans or
change previously adopted plans for
waterfront improvement; 70 take title
TO wharf property in the name of the
or failing the latter, to institute con-
demnation proceedings for the prop
erty's acquisition; to lease any and all
waterfront property belonging TO the
city.
Subject TO the Board of Estimate
the Commissioner Of Docks is author
lied to prepare plans for terminal IA
cilities and their equipment and to
build or cause TO be built the whole or
any part thereof.
r. A. c. Smith, the present commits
sioner, has acted in the role Of an Ad-
wiser to the army and naval author
tiles in their use of the port facilities
for the conduct Of the war. Through
the possession Of detailed information,
carefully tabulhted in his office, con
corning not only the waterfront Of the
city, but all the harbor shipping, he
has been Of invaluable service to the
Federal authorities in helping them in
emergencies to obtainv tho facilities
they required.