The evening world., 1920-06-02


crease over the preceding year of ap-
proximately 20 per cent. This year
the income will probably exceed
$1,000, 900.
y II the city had the piers Il Say the
Aincome could be doubled without an
/, .nort on the part of the Administra-
tion. Steamship companies are clam
oring for pier space and going to
Baltimore and Philadelphia and else
(. where because they cannot obtain it
here.
OLD PIERS INADEQUATE TO DE-
MANDs ON THEM.
y Along the North and East River
fronts there are rotting old piers
which have paid for themselves doz-
ems, of times over. They are made
quate to the demands upon them, but
through q combination of neglect and
short-sightedness, for which no spe-
cihc blame can be put on anybody,
they have not been replaced.
Neglect and short-sightedness ruled
the p ort of New York for half a CEN
tury. Spasmodic awakening of in
terest was followed by long periods
of inactivity. Large and comprehen-
sive plans Of Improvement are prom
Using steady Increase in the port
facilitiesSb but New York is so far be-
hind other ports in this country that
the business interests OF the city and
the State should wake up and see that
these plans are not spoiled by quar-
relling politicians or sectional jeal-
ousies.
The harbor of New York up to 1915
was shamefully neglected by the
Federal Government, although the
\ development Of this port to its fullest
capacity is vital to the business in
terests OF the entire country 1t will
be useless to make great improve
nents along the water front of the
eatyG unless the harbor and the rivers
are deep enough to float the largest
Ships.
All appropriations for the improve
ment Of New York Harbor in the way
of dredging and the removal of. chan
mel distractions must be made. by
law, by the Federal Government, and
appropriations for that purpose must
be passed upon by the Rivers and
Harbors Committee Of the House Of
Representatives. A search back
through the files of the Congressional
Directory reveals startling fact.
The City of New York never had a
representative on the Rivers and
Harbors Committee until 1915.
New York Congressman had de-
lIberately lodged service on the Riv-
ers and Harbors Committee, although
representing the port handling more
commerce than any other port in the
world, The reason they lodged was
because the Rivers and Harbors Bill
had always been known as pork"
bill, through which Government
money was sunk in useless projects
for political purposes. They were
afraid If they were unable TO obtain
apprupria lions for New York Harbor
and the surroundinfgs waters they
would Do accused OF failing to get
their share of pork" and 1t had long
lNeen apparent that money appropr-
I'd by the Rivers and Harbors Com
3 tttee was mostly dumped into non
Rigable streams and creeks.
Nv YORK coNeREssMEN
PASSED THE BUCK.
So the New York Congressman
year after year passed the buck.
Murray Hubert the present Dock
Commissioner, was the first New
York City representative to be placed
on the Rivers and Harbors Commit
tee, Mr.. Hubert had made n study
the Port of New York and its needs
and he Immediately proceeded to
f hustle for Government money. All
the time he was in Congress he
clamored about the needs of New
Work Harbor and eventually he made
himself heard.
Government projects in and ada
cent TO this harbor now involve the
Intimate expenditure of 100000, 900
Army engineers who have made a
turvey of the port are of the opinion
Ihat the Government should commit
hself TO the expenditure of at least
O0,O0O,00 IL New York is to regain
NJ prestige as a leader in foreign
lnmerce.
W 4Hhough Mr.. Hubert and other
,4N Nubers Of the New York delegation,
Dug that they could do something
hayNe Rivers and Harbors Com
- uollcy ,egan to show results and
u ufaotur}rt, after taking the post OF
If ,Io, rrAmissioner kept in close
AZ -" W." the Federal Government,
nj -. - were busy too. II can
elakF Re said that the represent
Aed on Twentieth Page.)