New-York tribune., 1918-05-09
Barge Canal Will
Begin Operations
Next Wednesday
Trade Board Discusses Use
of Waterway to Aid
Railroad Traffic

Canal transportation and the need
of extending and improving the har-
Dor facilities of New Yok City we're
discussed at the meeting of the Board
of Trade and Transportation held yes
terday afternoon.
G. A. Tomlinson, of Duluth, Minn.,
general manager of the New York
canals section of the United States
railroad administration. and Calvin
Tomkins, member of the committee on
inland waterways of the railroad ad-
ministration, emphasized the need of
coordlnating the canals and railroads
in way which would assure the max
imum volume of freight Transportation.
Mr.. Tomlinson said the Barge Canal
would begin operation May Is. He said
seventy-tive modern steel and concrete
freight carrying canal barges would
soon be constructed
"The canal will be used to supple
ment the railroad service" said Mr..
Tomlinson. "In effect. it may be con-
sidered as a new railroad line across
the State of New York. especially
adapted for carrying coarse freight,
such as grain, ore and coal, and what
ever high class freight the railroads
cannot handle advantageouslv during
the war period.
eve expect the cooperation of the
government and the shippers all along
the lakes and at Buffalo to provide a
large amount of eastbound freight,
which will materially relieve the rail-
roads. Westbound freight, as result of
imports stoppage, is not available in
large quantities, but we expect the gov
ernment will see to it that the canals
Will get their due proportion"
Railroads Up to Limit Now
Mr. Tomkins pointed out that the
railroads could not increase their capac-
lty, and that the "rediscovered trans
portation asset" could tighten the load
enormously.
There has been no reciprocation be-
tween the water and rail routes in the
past" said Mr.. Tomkins. "The rail
roads maintained rates which were dis
crimlnatory against the water routes.
Ihere was constant antagonism be-
tween the railroads and the canal. Now
that the government is in control of
both water routes and railroads of
the nation, this condition has changed.
Alter the people of this state have
spent lo,ooo.oOo on the construction
" "'i sc eaHai, Ine government lS
to operate it in an efficient wav."
Dock Commissioner Murray Hn1hert
said that the transfer of sound steam
ers and other craft engaged in shallow
water traffic on the East River and turn-
ing all North River piers to over
seas vessels was the most effective
means of solving the pier congestion.
This, he said, could only be done by
removing She'll Reef, which now blocks
the East River.
New Business in Sight
AS an indication of active business
interests, Commissioner Hubert said
that a responsible company had al
ready made arrangements to establish
freight line from the foot of East
Fifth Street to Pawtucket, r. 1. The
company owns two fine freight boats
and is about to add two more to its
service. He said that application had
recently been received from respon-
sible upstate interests for pier space
on the East River for barge lines to
be operated between New York CITY
and Watervliet. and New York and
Schenectady.
The board adopted a resolution pre-
sented by the executive committee, re-
newing request to Congress to re-
peal the second class mail zoning pro-
vision Of the war revenue tax law
The board also adopted an executive
committee resolution calling upon
Mayor Hylan to exercise the greatest
care in dealing with the Health De-
partment, which had won a reputation
for being one of the most effective
organizations of its kind in the world