New-York tribune., 1920-01-18
By Michael Cosgrove
'eputy Commissioner Of Docks

by NllCnacI AOS&IOVc
Deputy Commissioner Of Docks
Some Of our public spirited citizens
have become panic stricken with fear,
'.nurtured to great extent by the in
tensive advertising programs inaugur-
lated by sister seaports on the Atlantic
and Gulf coasts, that the supremacy
of the Port Of New York is threatened
by them.
There is only one agency that can
the Indifference Of the people of the
City of New York themselves to the
needs Of the nations gateway.
OF course many of these other ports
enjoyed the abnormal increase in ex
ports during the war; this was due to
the Federal control Of the railroads
and the arbitrary ALLEGATION of freight
to different points on the South Allan
tic and Gulf seaboard, but this growth
is artificial, and when the reconstruc-
tion period has cast its balance sheet
we shall find that there has not only
been a return to normal conditions, but
that maintaining her proud position as
the commercial, financial and manufac-
turing capital Of the United States, New
York has also become the economic
capital of the world with innumerable
advantages flowing therefrom which
she has never heretofore enjoyed.
Superiority Recognized by All
Merchants from every part Of the
United States have recognized the su-
periority of New York as the nations
chief shipping point, because better
facilities are provided for the expedi-
tious movement Of the merchandise.
particularly mixed cargoes, to all cor
cF $h0 Vac ~
operators are assured Of o full cargo
not only from but to the port of New
/ York, with the quickest turn around
possible.
The exports passing out Of our har-
| Dor have 9 greater value than the COM
hi1.ed exports of Asia. Africa and Aus
tralia. and our imports exceed In value
those Of South America, Africa and
| Australia together.
/ One out Of every seven persons In
New York is employed in manufacture
! The factories have an annual output of
nearly $4,000, 100000 and the teeming
millions Of population within the met
/ ropolitan district represent. the largest
and most concentrated buying power in
the world.
OF course, the entrance Of the United
States into the war precluded any sub
stantial attempt at new construction
work in this port to meet after-war
! conditions, which have suddenly taxed
I Of the Kuni> >spal authorities to the ut
! most; but ii Il ~ .fsc e-..Vlastiug pride
] of the City OF New York that when
-FOUR country went into the war and was
confronted, with the gigantic task Of
, transporting troops, together with sup
/ plies, not only for their ma1ntenanee,
but the Allies as we'll, every require
ment OF the government was sattsasd,
even though this was at the sacrtace
of some considerable commerce, vAleh
was necessarily diverted elsewAose.
thus enabling other sister ports -
profit at the expense of New YoS80
patriotism.
The United States Shipping Board
has turned out with unparalleled speed
ships Of an aggregate tonnage exceed
ling the total tonnage clearing from
the Port Of New York prior to the war.
The great proportion Of the new trade
routes that are opening up have OF will
have one Of their termini at New York.
Nation and City Plan Great Port
In order to provide wharfage &C.
commodations to meet the insistent
demands and take advantage Of the
remarkable opportunities that have
fallen to the lot Of this nation the
is probably the most comprehensive
plan that has ever been formulated
at one time for waterfront develop
ment anywhere In the world.
By successive acts of Congress-, en-
acted annually since 1914, tho Fed
erAl government stands committed to
an appropriation Of approximately
$50,000,000 for undermining the chan
/ nels Of navigation in New York Har-
Dor and its tributaries, and the City
period invest at least an equal
| amount.
F Twelve large piers have been
| planned for the easterly shore Of Sta
/ ten Island, one Of which will be main
tanned as> an open pier for transient
and miscellaneous wharfage, and the
remaining eleven have been leased to
responsible concerns on basis that
will make the cost about $50, 1000, 900
sslfeustaining.
It requires only tho approval Of the
Board Of Estimate and Apportionment
Of the plans and specifications and au-
thority to advertise and let contracts
and proceed with the construction Of
these. piers, which will be provided
with direct rail connection unless the
tenants will otherwise, and two Of
these piers will be equipped with the
most modern freight handling mechan-
ical devices.
Improvement In East River
Tho constant and ineistent agitation
| for the removal Of Shell Reef from
the East River has resulted this year
| in the practical completion Of the