New-York tribune., 1920-12-06
Trade Lost bv
City $ Delay in
PortE~pansion
Mayor Urged to End Policy
OF Inactivity in Regard to
Developing Facilities for
the Handling of Vessels
State May Take a Hand
shipping Boards Diversion
of Tonnage Cutting Down
Volume of Foreign Trade

ts---NE 9s-e-N.oA 10 tre policy of the
shipping Board 10 divert ocean ton
age FROM New York A Il. Smith, pub
asaer & the Port of New York An
Hgsl, IN an open letter to Mavor
liylan, declares that unless action is
,azen to increase the facilities Of the
port serious results viii follow. These.
ne say, would include the loss of
shipping and commerce, followed tv
tae loss Of industries and population,
then o. wealth, with the certainty that
me city's debt limit would quickly Re
exceeded and its bonds would lose
caste as the gilt-edged securities
which they have hitherto been re-
sarded rs by investors
Quoting Admiral Benson's complaint
is . Nev York's insufficient facilities
for shipping ard the exorbitant
charges he claimed were being made
for the use OF the city's piers by
shipping Boayc vessels, Nh Smith
cites statistics showing how New
York's share OF the foreign trade Of
the country has fallen of since the
boards policy OF diversion has been
put INTO effect
These show that for the first five
months Of this year 4S.5 per cent Of
the exports and imports of the coun-
try, based on values, passed through
the Port Of New York, VIII e in the
second 1--WE months the average was
4l.5 Pc cent. For the month Of Oc-
.ober the average was only 3e7 per
cent. compared with the high mark
Of 51.- per cent attained in March.
Ports Trade Endangered
III properly read" says Mr. Smith,
the figures carry their own comment
They should lead the City Of New York
% give up It's extremely short-sighted
policy Of only building wharves that
are leased in advance for enough 10
repay asl OF their cost with interest in
a brief time. It should build enough
wharves 10 accommodate the shipping
seeking accomnl odation here every day,
which every day is being turned away
to tud needed accomm odation in ports
riva. TO New York"
Referring to the Jamaica Bay prof.
ec5 and the offer of A. H. Greeley to
spend 500, 900 900 in improvements If
guaranteed a thirty-foot depth Of water
trom the sea, Mr.. Smith adds:
The City OF New York is waiting
Tor me Federal government to deepen
me channel to thirty feet The Fed
sral government is Indifferent about
doing It, because the City of New York
has hGmbugged the Federal govern
meut so often and so long regarding
IS intentions toward Jamaica Bay as
Justly 70 cause the Federal government
10 fear II may be buncoed II II should
construct the thirty-foot channel re-
qu-ret.'
Newark Alive to Situation
Ths attitude Of New York is con-
rras.ed by NJ. Smith with that Of
Newark toward the plan for the deep
enirg q the channel to Newark Bay.
Compare tne hating. hesitating posi-
tioa ot the City Of New York with
100000 600 marine terminal prize in
sigt-, waiting on the Federal govern
mslr 20 construct its thirtyfoot chan
re-, re says, and Newark's wiling
ness 70 spend its own money TO con-
strucr Is own channel. with no posi-
i've assurance of any private inter-
eats willing 70 avail OF its improve
nea-s and develop its water front.
NewArs IS willing 70 take Z risk on a
chance that New York s unwilling 10
take oa a certainty. Newark seeks TO
secure some Of the shipping and com
nsrce nat New York Cisdainfullv re
fuses % accommodate with berthing
facilities, knowing that shipping and
commerce are followed by industries
ana Increased population and wealth.
10 ny mind this contrast makes the
yrea. Ci'y of New YORK look pretty
sna.- ara We cannot deny taat New
ARK sets New YORK an example Of con-
adence in Us waterfront which New
torz could prot.taoly emulate.
State May Take Action
DO you ,hink il will, or do you think
.. VII not De necessary for the state :
powers 70 be invoked 10 insure the
retention o. New York's shipping and
conmerce. since the Ci'y OF %ew York
30 long mas shown lsself unwilling to
10 so
u hope taat this matter Will com
1anc y1-- personal attention ard that
To1 may 5e disposed TO lead in action
MT > confound such Of Us as have
no fat z New Yorx's intention 70
- more man mix It's shipping Of the
.asE rossib.e dollar IN extortlonate
wharf charges. whiAh the victims
lo.nerw 2 known rs vessel-owners),
are p. ~ % pay, becauze Of the sin
y1.ar.y mean policy tne city nas for
sly yeas pursued of keeping It's sup
ply y aa4rves far below the demand,
s>en.ngy % make II easier for the
~ - exact exoroitant rentals from
saipp.nZ shipping already begin
1.ng u vsnisn."