New-York tribune., 1920-04-21
Merchants Back
New York Jersey
Port Treaty Bill
Hylan, La Cuardia and Craig
Lead Opposition to Meas
lIre; Waterfront Grab bv
Roads Seems To Be Fear
From a Staff Correspondent

ALBANY, April 20.-Represc natives
of a number of greater New York com
merce organizations, together with
Julius Henry Cohen, counsel for the
New York New Jersey Port and Iar-
Dor Development Commission. appeared
to-day before the Senate judiciary
now pending before the Legislature.
The treaty would create a pert au-
thoritY o. six members, three to repre-
sent New York and three New Jersey
r. II. La Guardia, President of the
Board Of Aldermen; Mayor Hylan,
Comptroller Craig and other members
Of the Board of Estimate and Appor-
tionment opposed the treaty. dcclar-
ing it would work to the disadvantage
of New York City if the state should
enact treaty before compreh hensivc
plan has been presented and adopted
brief was filed by Comptroller Craig
The principal address in behalf Of
the treaty was made by Mr.. Cohen,
who said:
"The brief Of the Hyan administra-
tion was based upon 'distrust of New
Jersey Of the Port Commission, Of the
Legislature, as we'll as dstrust of the
present and all future boards of csti-
mate'"
He quoted passages from the brief
showing that the entire argument WAS
based on fear of what future Legisla-
lures and members of the Board of
Estimate and Apportionmcnt might do.
The Mayor charged that the enact
ment of the treaty would "forevcr dc
liver the port Of New York to the rail
roads owning the greater portion OF
the water frontage on the Jersey
shore"
Mr.. La Guardia maintained that no
port treaty should be entered into
until the comprehensive development
plans have been presented
Gas member of the Sinking Fund
Commission" said Mr.. La Guarda, 81
would be negligent of my duties if |
did not oppose this measure. Much has
been said Of the good faith of New
Jersey in connection with this proposal
and I only want to say that when |
was in Washington last week to get
action on bill which would release
money already appropriated for ia
maca Bay developments, this EFFORT
was blocked by New Jersey members
Of Congress-"
Comptroller Craig, who made the
principal address for the Hy!an adj
ministration, said:
ne SO-callcu pOrC authority created
under this plan can make leases of
public property in perpetuity and the
property would be exempt from taxa
ton. The authority is equipped with
power greater than that of any Gov
ernor, Legislature or city administra-
tionin other words, the Legislature
is giving this body greater power than
it possesses itself, because Congress has
a hand in this; and what powers Con-
gress confers on the commission, the
Legislature cannot abridge or control
This port authority can totally destroy
the value Of New York City's piers, it
can regulate pier charges, railroads
lighters, even the trucks in the high
ways and byways Of the City of New
York"
While this hearing was in progress
another was conducted before the Sen
ate Finance Committee on the proposed
New York-New jersey vchicular tunnel
General George R. Dyer, speaking for
the New York Bridge and Tunnel Com
mission, upheld the twin tunnel plan
Of two lines each way. Edward A.
Byrne, chief engineer of the Depart
ment of Plant and Structures, favored
the Goethals's plan, as it provides fol
three roadways and thus allows for
future growth Of traffic.