The New York herald., 1920-01-26
URGE APPROVAL OF
BI-STATE PORT PACT
Hartor Commission Wants
Speed by Jersey and N. Y.
Legislatures.
CONGRESS SHARES POWER
Taxation Power and Immediate De
velopment Outlined in
Memorandum.

memorandum presented by the New
York-New Jersey Port and Harbor De-
velopment Commission TO the Board of
Estimate and Apportionment urges ap-
proval be given the proposed compact be-
tween the two States in order that COM
prehensive plan for the development OF
the Port of New York may be carried out.
This memorandum was presented In re-
sprrse TO a request for n statement or the
reasons for reconsidera tion OF the reso-
luton adopted by the Board Of Estimate
and Apportionment on April 4, 1919.
New York and New Jersey will not he
able to join in any comprehensive deve'-
opment of the port until there is Some
agreement between them, approved by
Congress. The port Tying in two States,
Is subject to the jurisdiction of three SOW
ereignties--the state of New York, the
State OF New Jersey and Congress, by vir-
tue OF the control which that body has
over interstate commerce. The memoran
dunn presented points out that without
some legal basis for cooperation nothing
can be done.
It sets forth that. while the physical
plans for the development of the port may
take time for study and discussion and
ultimate approval, the legal basis for CO.
operation between the two States should
be esta blished at once. Owing to the fact
that the Legislatures OF both States will
probably adjourn some time in March. it
is thought that an entire year might be
lost IL the establishment of the legal basis
is put off until the physical plans are
worked out, which will not be before
July !.
Want Approval Now.
The memorandum further sets forth tha'
n compact between the two States can be
effectuated which shall be conditioned
upon the ultimate approval of the COM
prehensve physical plan.
IT is further urged that the opportunity
for cooperation between New York and
New Jersey may be lost If the compact is
not approved now. The reason for this. ac-
cordng 20 the memorandum. is that the
statements OF prominent New Jersey Off
cials indicate that unless programme of
cooperation is agreed upon, New Jersey
must go ahead with Improvements and
plans which will harness the possibilities
Of the great port of New York on the
Jersey side
The statement of the commission de-
clares that cooperation between the two
States is essential, due TO tho changes
which have taken place in the routes for
transshipnent of freight. Despite the
fact that the Port of New York is looked
upon with envy by all its competitor ports.
the statement declares that recent I'M
provements to the Mississippi route from
deepening of the St. Lawrence River and
the existtng differential in favor of Balti-
more and Philadelphia have already in
jured the commerce of the Port Of New
York. The various benefits to come from
the cooperative development of the port
ire discussed at length.
summary is also given OF the proposed
compact and the reasons for it's various
provisions The compact first creates
district known the Port of New York
District" and pledges each state to faith
full cooperation in the future planning
and development of the port" a corporate
body known as the Port of New York
Authority" is created with the powers and
jurisdiction enumerated in the proposed
compact and such other and additional
powers as shall be conferred upon it by
the Legislatures.
On Port Authority.
A section is devoted to the limitations
upon port authority. Under this the Port
Authority cannot take over the property
OF any municipality without its consent.
and the franchise-granting power and the
control power over the streets OF any city
shall remain intact. Under this the Port
Authority is declared to be not supervis-
ing agency, but an agency for cooperation
OF all the municipalities within the district
Of both States. Unlike the Port Authori-
ties OF the other great sea ports, II derives
It's power through its capacities to aid the
municipalities in working toward a COM
prehensive organization of the port which
shall be of advantage to all, and not
through taking away the Independence or
initiative of any municipality.
The reasons for the increased borrowing
capacity which the creation of Port
Authority will provide are also set forth.
1t is also made plain that there is no
limitation to be imposed upon the freedom
or initiative of any municipality in the
proposed compact. All plans. however,
will have TO justify themselves economic
ally and must be laid out so that all
the communities within the port district
shall be willing to join hands in working
toward their realization.
Following is the final paragraph of the
memorandum. which is submitted by
William r. Wilcox, chairman of the COM
mission: ]. Spencer Smith. vice chairman
william Leary. secretary, and Julius
Henry Cohen. COUNSEL
"The comprehensive physical plan cam
not be completed by the Bi-State Port
Commission until 1t has gone through the
process Of analyzing costs and is prepared
to recommend plan that is justified upon
the basis of economic proof; but after the
commission has approved of ii IL must
then be submitted for public discussion.
The commission Is convinced that at least
six months should be allowed for study by
all of the municipalities concerned In the
plan before it is presented TO the Legis-
latures for their consideration. and that
the Legislatures may properly provide al
this session for the method OF procedure
by which the plan may be publicly con-
sIdered In the meantime, however. the
Commission believes that the compact car
be approved and on its way to ratification
nv Congress" +"