The sun., 1918-07-24

Conditions now prevailing In New
York city have reached a point where
Its wonderful facilities provided by
nature have been annulled by the ter
rife congestion existing at all docks,
terminals and warehouses. Interstate
Commerce Commissioner Harlan re-
Gently said: Last winter when the
traffic congestion was at its height
here the warehouses in Chicago were
being filled with merchandise that
couldn't get to the seaboard. That
fact made a deep impression on the
country at large. go to-day in a num-
Der Of large seaport cities the Govern
ment and private capital are engaged
in enlarsins harbors, actuated by the
contingency OF New York's not being
able TO handle its outgoing and incom-
Ing freight when the peak Of the war
Is reached"
New York's geographical location
and Its deep waterways make It a
seaport second to mono in the world,
tive transportation methods are as
antediluvian in comparison to the
enormous tonnage received and dis
charged as was the old horse car,
which was one Of the sights OF the
city only few years ago.
There are many who profess to be-
lieve this intolerable condition is due
entirely to the war and shortage OF
ships. This is. however, the last
straw For the last ten years mill
ions have been wasted through the
frightful delays to drays and motor
trucks In delivering freight, and as
trucks are usually started in tho morn
Ing with a load for delivery with in
strucuons to pick UP freight when re-
turning, is 1t to be wondered at that
incoming freight has accumulated?
Long before the war delays always
occurred at Piers /, 8 and AZ, North
River and 4, Bush Terminal, and
IS, 81 and 81, Brooklyn. When freight
was to be received many trucks were
in line all night, representing a use
less expense OF many thousands Of
dollars.
At 9 A. NJ. March %. this year, over
900 trucks were in line waiting to dis
charge freight at the Old Dominion
Line. Many. anticipating just such a
condition. were on line all night. It ia
true this was after an embargo had
been lifted and the Government had
reQuls!tioned most OF the vessels, but
is II fair to place the responsibility az
the door Of New York merchants be-
cause their equipment is tied up in
this manner?
The vast amount Of money wasted
due TO lack OF facilities sufficient to
accept freight without delay Is Grim
inal. 1t is assumed IS part Of the ex-
pense OF doing business and absorbed
by tho consumer at large.
Ten years ago a truck Of one OF the
largest Wholesale houses in New York
city made three trips a day loaded both
WAYS, and to-day truck leaving its
shipping platform at O'Clock In the
morning is gone all day!
Unless delays are eliminated in re-
ceivlng outgoing freight store door
delivery" will be n failure. because it
deals with the symptom and not the
disease.
New York has become a great city
because OF It's commerce and position
In relation to the worlds shipping and
not because OF its 100000 population
Too much thought has been given to
and demands made for the incidental
tpassenser) facilities and terminals
and practically none to its commercial
necessities.
Not long ago public opinion was eY-
cited and aroused by an agitation for
the annulment of n franchise which
permitted the New. York Central to
move freight through Eleventh ave-
nue.. The effort to generate an adverse
public sentiment, alleging vested
rights" and class distinction has been
successful in restricting a normal up
keep and replacement of the miserable
facilities in the city.
The Interstate Commerce Commits
sion refused an application for n small
and necessary increase in rates re-
Quired for necessary improvements
and rolling equipment, but as soon as
the Government assumes control with
It's responsibility, it promptly in
creases the rates 25 per cent. Is not
this singing rebuke and an eloquent
reflection on the commission rs con-