The evening world., 1920-03-10
Continued From First page)


parting and arriving soldiers than II
has for an ico cream factory. But the
war Department means to keep the
piers as part OF the military estab-
lishment.
Secretary Baker makes the purpose
OF the War Department plain In his
letter OF the date Feb. 20 to Mayor
Hylan OF New York in answer 10
the Mayors query as to the Govern
nent's policy relative to the disposi-
tibn Of the overhment-owned piers
in New York Harbor. Dock Commits
sioner Huibert OF New York attended
q conference Of the Advisory Board
OF the war Department on Port
Terminals here yesterday and ex-
planned, the pier shortage in New
York Har'bor and asked that the War
Department piers In South Brooklyn,
four in number, be turned over to
the city.
Tho War Department takes tho
position that inasmuch as it has the
piers they should be kept for "emer-
gehcies," Commissioners Hubert was
told that the War Department ts will
ing to work In cooperation with the
City OF New York in the matter OF
! providing pier accommodations, but
the Commissioner is OF the opinion
that il the Government is going into
the business of furnishing docking
facilities in New Hork HarDor the
| interests of the port and OF shipping
in general will be hindered rather
! than helped.
The possibility OF an emergency"
| arising which would require the use
Of a great war plant is the excuse
offered by all Government depart
ments which have asked for appro-
| priations providing for expenditures
on the scale Of a Government IN war
| fare. The Secretary Of War is one
Of the lenders OF the Government
officials who do not know the war Is
over and he made his position clear
! in his lette1. 10 Mayor Hylan when
| he wrote
! After experiencing bhe difficulties Of
| OF obtaining the funds for the trrml-
nails above referred 10 and the numer-
GUS problems connected with the con-
struction of the terminals, the de-
partment feels that IL Is to the inter
est OF the Government that the title
TO these terminals remain in the
United States and IN the custody OF
the War Department.
1T may not again become neces-
sary to fully utilize these terminals
for war purposes, but it seems the
part OF wisdom that whatever policy
is adopted should insure their being
Immediately available 10 the depart
ment In the event of another emer-
gency."
As long as the title to the South
Brooklyn piers remains in the
Government and piers are oper-
atsd by the War Department, the
City Of New York will be unabl,
to tax them. The Government
will become a competitor of the
City Of New York in the rental OF
pier space in New York Harbor.
No matter what criticism the Adj
fninistration OF the City OF New York
may deserve because of its methods
OF handling piers and leasing piel
space the main question is: Shall the
} Government go into the business OF
maintaining and renting docks in the
harbor OF New York and at other
points along the Atlantic seaboard
| Members OF Congress who have
: studied the financial condition OF th'
country and are getting ready for thC
: big fight which will stir up the peo'
pie when the time comes for definite
action on the appropriation bills arr
of the opinion that the Governmen
should get out OF all side line activi
ties which grew out OF the war anC
E return TO the business OF conductn'
c the affairs of the Nation as the!
= should be conducted in times OF peace
II appears TO be definitely settled
. that strong influence in Congress
, Is in favor OF taking the Governmen
= out of the shipping business, at
a saving Of approximately S,1O0,OOO'OO
q at the start. If the Shipping Board. b
1.-The interest of economy, is 10 be de
I lprlved of its function Of owning an,
n operating ocean going vossels tn
same forces which favor that depri
= walton may be depended upon to re
n move the War Department from IN
business OF leasing and operating
4 piers in times Of peace.
The War Department does not con
tend that by abandoning the piers !
ISouth Brooklyn and Hoboken an
e opening them TO the uses OF the ship
ping industry in general II would los
the piers for all time. There are te
piers in all, six of them in HobokeI
= They are fully equipped for the ex
J. peditious handling Of passengers an
If freight.
- should they be opened TO the as
of shipping and removed from Wa
Departnlent operation they would re
!. main right where they. are. The
rs would be kept in repair and pro
m tssted from fire. And il an emer
st rency should arise-if the Unite
q States should get into another wa
and have 70 send another army I