The sun., 1919-10-15
STATE BARGE CANAL
TERMINAL OPENED
Governor Says Vigilance and
Energy Needed to Obtain
Proper Facilities.
NIXON SHOWS BENEFITS
Grain Trade May Go to Mon
treal if Accommodations
Are Not Provided.

The Empire State reached milestone
yesterday in its journey toward per-
feet canal system. To the music OF the
rain on the roof, a brass band inside
and speeches by Gov. Smith and other
state and city officials. the first COM
pleted and equipped terminal OF the
barge canal system, at Pier Six on the
East River. was opened and the keys
turned over to the state Superintendent
of Public Works, Edward S. Walsh.
Navigator being on the eve OF closing
there obably won't be much traffic
there until spring. but when 1t comes the
terminal Is ready for It.
The bi pier, 572 feet long and eighty
five feet wide, Immaculate in white paint
and with electric lights cleaning along
the sides and mlngling with the grey
daylight that came in through the ten
large openings that lead to the wide
driveway at one side and to the cobbled
street at one end and the East River
at the other. made a fine theatre for
the ceremony. The 100000 structure
is a model of its kind. but Gov. Smith
pointed out that IL proper terminal facil-
tiles are to be erected elsewhere and
the canal system is to be completed and
operated It should be. energy and eternal
vigilance are required.
Transportation Is our greatest prob
lem" he said. Every investigation that
has been made to find out why with
farmers raising food SO near this city
1t is so hard to get 1t here, comes up
against the transportation obstacle Yet
when it became clear that II the canal
ir, f,l. Artr 1aI h<.x
500 900. 900 was to reach it's full useful
ness terminals must be had, 1t took two
years to submit the question to the
people. There wasn't enough vigor
used.
The $101, 000.o 900 which in 1908 II
was estimated the barge canal would
cost has increased to $3.50, 900, spent
or obligated. There is still needed money
for terminals and sites and $4,000. 900
for grain elevators. and 100000 OF
claims against the State are standing
believe this money must come through
another referendum to the people. and
they must be educated to it. though his
tory shows that the people Of New York
are friendly to the barge canal"
Lewis Nixon, Public Service Commits
sioner. who was chairman of the 1911
Albany convention out of which the
barge canal terminal act developed
acted as chairman yesterday. He de-
clared the railroads would benefit from
the canal in the end. and dwelt on the
need OF terminals and grain elevators II
the grain trade Is not to go to Mont
real.
Lieut-Gov. Harry C. Walker opened
the meeting, which was attended by
about $50 men prominent in shipping
and waterways affairs. Superintendent
of Public Works Walsh received the
keys from him. declaring that they felt
like the keys of home.
Other speakers were Attorney-G General
Charles H. Newton, Dock Commissioner
Murray Hubert and William f. Cleary
of Brooklyn, once president of the AS
ISOLATION of Canal Boat Owners.
Besides the Governor and his stan
State representatives at the opening in
cluded Frank NJ Williams. State En-
gineer: Roy C. Finch, De>uty: Walter
J. McGfll and William G. Siorrisey OF
the Department of Claims and APP
praisal, Major John A. Bensel, former
State Engineer: d. B. La Blu, Special