The sun., 1918-11-03

piers for commercial use, all OF which,
with very little dredging, would make
these piers available for overseas traffic.
Further saving in piers is contem-
plated in the Hubert plan by transfer
ring the berths of the Sound steamers
from their North River piers to a set OF
piers available for them In the East
River between the foot Of East Seven
tenth and East Twenty-sixth streets.
steamers plying between this port and
New England harbors now are using five
North River piers. including Piers ~
and 10, old American Line piers, and
without exception these Sound boats,
owing TO their lighter draught, could be
shifted to the East River terminals. n
step which would not only free much
docking facilities for overseas craft but
also would be a saving In time and mile
age for the Sound boats and therefore n
saving In money and a step toward a
better regulation OF harbor traffic.
Shifts to Aid Waterfront.
The Sound steamers pay rental of
$175,o00 for Piers IA and Is. The same
company could get two East River piers
for $4,000 The North River piers
which the Sound vessels now use do not
at present pay for their keep. They can.
under the Hubert plan, be liberated for
other work, which would result in a
profit TO the city and at the same time
make for a distinct economic gain for
the steamship lines. Oceangoing liners
cannot be docked at the East River piers
owing to the rocky Shell Reef and the
consequent comparatively shallow water
on the eastern side of Manhattan. The
inefficiency of bringing Sound steamers
the length OF the East River, around the
Battery and far up into the North River
before docking is obvious. .-..
One portion of the Hubert plan has
to do with the establishment OF great
terminal for the New England lines In
the neighborhood of the foot OF East
Twenty-third street. In large way the
Commissioners pros ramme calls for the
abandonment OF ferry houses, now old
and idle. unproductive and useless in
their present ANTICIPATED state. and at a
stroke adding to the city. revenue and
| the port facilities by building UP to date
piers where the crumbling ferry houses
| now litter the waterfront.
General Shakeup Proba BILE. g,
Not only a general shaking up OF
things as they are and shouldn't be In
and around Manhattan Is contemplated
in the Hubert plan the Commissioners
has made quite as thorough study OF
the waterfront problems and great pos
sibilities Of staten Island. Kings, Queens,
Of all the boroughs. And for each OF
these difficulties and possibilities in the
| outlying district he has a solution in his
all embracing plan of harbor develop
! ment. These improvements and accounts
| in greater detail of the foremost Of the
many ideas woven into the Hubert plar
! will be published within the next few
| days. -..-..
The Commissioner in his letter to Sec.
rotary of War Baker yesterday went into
one detail OF the general idea of making
| available for immediate use city water
J front property which at present Is either
needlessly cluttered with junk or belne
diverted to other unimportant uses.
| In particular. the Commissioner asked
| the Secretary of War for official permits
| sion tospuil down fence. which now
runs from Little West Twelfth street &c
! Twenty-third street. on the North River
waterfront The fence encloses what ID
| known as the Chelsea Improvement Dis
| trict. Commissioner Hubert pointed out
! to the War Department In his letter tina,
the fence was an encumbrance now and
! II removed would add much needed space
| to the city's limited river front area.
] 1t Is the belief of the Dock Depart
ment that the Secretary of War will &C
cede to the city's request to have tn,
fence pulled down. When speaking Of
| the letter Mr.. Hubert added that. thank:
, to the publicity attending his more re
| cent dock Improvement activities. steam
| ship men have come forward to assure
him that Immediately they will begll
| work to clear up the tons of refuse ant
junk which now render useless lmpor
| tant stretches OF pier areas.