New-York tribune., 1920-03-10
Baker Opposes
Giving Hold
On Piers Here
Tells Hylan That Title
to Government Owned
Terminals Should Remain
With the United States
Acquired During the War
War Secretary Not Against
Leases When National
Needs Have Been Supplied

In letter to Mayor Hylan, made pub
lie yesterday, Secretary of War Baker
expresses the opinion that title to the
governmcnt-owned terminals should re-
main with the United States. The let
ter was given out in Hoboken, Mayor
Hylan having sent a copy of it to May
or Patrick r. Griffin Of that city.
Mayor Griffin communicated yester-
day with the Secretary of War, urging
that the terminals in Hoboken be re-
leased t5 the municipality, or, that not
proving feasible, legislation be enacted
permitting the city to collect taxes on
them. The piers, formerly the prop
erty of the North German Lloyd and
hamburg American lines, constitute
one-seventh Of Hoboken's ratables.
Secretary Baker wrote, in part:
Soon after the United States en-
tered the World War it became ap-
parent almost at once that the avail
able port terminal facilities on the At
lantic seaboard were entirely made
quate to handle the large number Of
mon and vast quantities of war ma
terial destined finally to be sent over
seas.
Terminals Taken Over
- ut was necessary early in 1918 for
the department to go before Congress
and request an appropriation of $780,
ooo,000 for the purpose Of constructing
seven new army terminals. The ter
mlnal at South Brooklyn is one of
those for which funds were obtained
by the War Department during the
emergency
The terminals at Hoboken were TAX
en- over by the President under procla-
nation and acquired by the War. De-
partment IN due course. After expert
eencing the difficulties of obtaining the
funds for the terminals above referred
to and the numerous problems con-
nected with the construction of the
terminals, the department feels that it
is to the interest of the government
mat the title to these terminals remain
IN the Onlted States and in the CUSTODY
Of the War Department.
u may not again become necessary
fully to utilize these terminals for
war purposes, but it seems the part of
wisdom that whatever policy is adopted
should insure their being Immediately
avallaoIe to the department in the
event OF another emergency.
The War Department has no inten-
yang, & cuCIdI uOCK depart
ment in the port OF New York. If
space ls no longer needed for the War
Dcpartment's activities available space
trst will be offered TO tho United
states Shipping Board for assignment
to commercial companies or, in the
event that suitable arrangements can
DC made space viii he allotted to the
city for such purposes.
NO Desire for Competition
The department has no desire to
enter into competition with CONNER
clal companies by the operation of ter
mlnals, but must, OF course. take caro
of our needs and then cooperate with
outside agencies.
"'A;rrangements have been perfected
with the city of Norfolk alone the
lines suggested in your letter. wherein
avaliable space is turned over to the
city authorities for commercial usa
and IN this way the city is enabled to-
arrange rates which will result in cov.
er'ng any revenue which would accrue
TO the city, if the terminals we're not
owned by the government.
feel confident that after YOUR Dock
commissioner has had an Opportunity
TO appear before the advisory board on
port terminals and the matter conn n
over at length, an ADEQUATE solnt;no on
Tor the operation of terminals in the
port OF New York will be found which
VIII meet the desires of all concerned ,,