Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-03-11
GREAT PORT HERE
DEMAND OF CLUB
Traffic Organization Rec
ommends Formation of.
General Committee
DISCUSSED AT DINNER
Lack of Initiative Believed by
Civic Leaders Cause of
Inaclion
DISCUSSED AT DINNER

The Traffic club Of Philadclph,s has
sono on record for Greater Philadel-
phia." It will demand development OF
this port TO a point commensurate with
its shipping facilities.
A resolution recommending tho forma-
tion of general committee representing
business and commercial organizations
In the city to act in conjunction with
city officials for port development was
unanimously adopted by the Traffic Club
at n largely attended dinner last night
at tho Bellevue -Stratford. at which the
entire discussion was devoted TO port
expansion. The Traffic club IS com
prised of traffic managers Of industrial
firms. railroads and ship lines who arc
located in Philadelphia
The resolution came after addresses by
William J. Conlen. chairman Of the COM
mittee on harbors OF the Chamber of
Commerce. and Richard Spillane of the
PUBLIC LEDGER. Both attributed tho
present state of harbor traffic here and
want of shipping to lack OF initiative.
The material advantages and oppor.
tunities of Philadelphia as a port. to-
gether with harbor improvements al
ready completed and others in the
process of realization and in contempla-
tiou, were reCountcd by George :. Web
ster. Director Of Wharves. Docks and
Ferries, and ]. s. w. Holton. president
of, the Maritime Exchange. Mr.. Holton
said there was 100000 available for
harbor improvements. Director Web
ster showed that S24, 900, 900 was being
spent jointly by the city and the rail-
roads for the improvement of rail con-
nection with the river front.
Mr.. Holton spoke of an "insidious,
hidden thing" working against Philadcl-
phia as a port, OF which, he said, every
one present knew. The allusion excited
much curiosity among the audience,
which was not allaycd until Mr.. Con-
len. following Mr.. EIoton, rose TO speak.
IT am going TO tell you what that
insidious influence is" he announced.
"It is n very natural influence. II is the
influence Of the men who know all about
the shipping business and are running it,
you have failed to seize your oppor-
tunity. You have no Just complaint
against New York. You arc lacking in
the knowledge of traffic. Traffic is Il
thing experts engage in. There arc many
experts in New York. but here there arc
few. The people interested in a greater
port at Philadelphia should learn from
experts. And no sinister influence will
interfere with progress, II men know
their business and exert their knowl-
edge"
Mr.. Conlen proposed that Philadel-
phia go after the ship lines and in
duce them to establish terminals here
IF the railroads are permitted TO CO.
ordinate their facilities said Mr.. Hol-
ton. "thc distribution of traffic will fol-
low automatically. 4 day will come
when Congress will realize that the CEN
tralization OF business is as bad as the
Capitalization Of government. In time
Philadelphia will come into her own.
We must look into the future forgetting
the past. provided the past is corrected
IN the future. And We must not com
plain too much about New York until
we do the things we should do"
Director Webster confined his talk 10
q resume Of recent harbor improvement
and an outline of the work in prospect
1.-THE development Of belt line railroad
ought to he encouraged he said
Every pier ought to. be connected with
, every railroad entering the city. Ne
chanical handling appliances ought TO be
Installed on every pier These will cut
the cost Of handling, which figures very
largely in the any shipment OF freight