Evening journal., 1917-05-12

riers are available to handle It with.
The expenditures made by some
Of these American communities have
been large. ranging, as in the case
Of New York, up to more than $780,
100000, or nearly $500 per capita
Of population; but this per capita
cost is comparatively small consider
ed alongside Of the formidable indi-
yidual tax burdens voluntarily as
sumed by the citizens Of many Euro
pean communities with the enlight-
ened courage which comes Of faith in
what these expenditures will do for
their commercial uplifting
These foreign harbor bond issues
range as high as $4,000 per capita
of population in the case of the COM
paratively unknown port Of Newcas-
tle-On-Tyne, England; nearly 100000
in Liverpool, third among the great
ports of the world; and sums almost
as great In many other instances;
compared with which the modest al
lotments of public funds for this pur-
pose customary in the United States
are not calculated to cause much
civic elat.on among believers in the
inspiring effect to a community Of ac-
tive participation in the movement OF
world trade.
Not Yet Awakened.
Il. is a singular fact that most
American communities have not yet
awakened to any proper realization
Of the vast benefits which their water
fronts can be made to contribute to
.heir prosperity under enlightened
management; but public sentiment in
this respect is undergoing rapid al
iteration, and the next decade will.
believe. show revolutionary
change for the better in the physical
appearance Of all Of our ports.
zone great reason for this is the
growing belief that the entire aspect
OF international trade is in process
of evolution--and a rapid evolution
at that. The days Of our commercial
self-sufiiciency, when we were salts
fed 20 live pretty largely within our
selves except so far as the disposal
Of our surplus products-bOth raw
and manufactured-wa concerned.
are over. and from this time on the
United States must become an active
competitor with the whole OF the out
side world. Additional outlets and
inlets for this trade-water gates be-
tween this country and foreign ma
tions-must be provided.
''The present railroad situation OF
intense concentration of freight at a
few seaboard' points must be relieved
by the creation Of subsidiary. but
well equipped, auxiliary termini for
the land and water transportation
lines on whose prompt handling and
unrestricted transfer Of freight the
commercial health of the world so
largely depends.
New YOrk's Situation.
"The presen.. and for a long time
existent, situation in New York IS
rapidly becoming intolerable-the
tremendous congestion of freight and
the enormously expensive delays OF
transmission of 1t adversely affecting
the interests of the entire country.
The cost Of handling freight in New
York located as IL is on the wrong
side OF the Hudson River-separated
from the bulk Of Continental America
by a formidable water barrier which
imposes an additional rehandiing ex-
pense Of from fifty cents to one dol
lar or more per ton on ninety per
cent. OF the cargo entering or leaving
the PORTS an unnecessary waste Of
money IN overcoming purely artificial
difficulties and Is satirical comment
on our boosted American efficiency.
'The spectacle of the greatest rail-
road In America need not name II