New-York tribune., 1921-03-12
Estimate Board
To Make Fight
On Port Treaty
Will Oppose Passage by
Legislature of Bill Carry
ing Out Plan Submit
ted by the Commission
Rail Monopoly Charged
Resolution Offered by Hy-
Ian Says Measure Is
Violation of Constitution

The Board of Estimate yesterday
adopted resolutions presented by Mayor
Hylan opposing the port treaty be-
tween New York and New Jersey, and
also resolution that members Of the
board so to Albany next Tuesday to op-
pose the passing of the bill be ore the
Joint committee of the Legislature pro-
viding for the carrying out Of the
treaty plan submitted by the New York
and New Jersey Port and Harbor De-
velopment Commission.
The resolution of the Mayor declared
that the proposed plan was against the
Federal Constitution. the constitutions
OF the states of New York and New
Jersey and against public policy of the
City of New York. The resolution fur
ther said that the "port authority" a
corporation to have supervision OF the
harbor development plans, as proposed
by the commission, would have author
lty to construct freight subways in the
city without the permission of the city
authorities.
Sees Railroad Monopoly
IF the traction bill passes and this
treat bill passes" said the Mayor,
the traction companies and the rail
roads Will have a monopoly of the
whole city respecting traction and
freight facilities. If this treaty goes
through, all the hard work that the
people have done for some years past
IN getting possession of the waterfront
ano eks from private individuals will
be lost"
- resolution complained that the
proposed treaty plan had not been sub
mltted to the Board of Estimate, and
that it was impossible for the board to
perform its full duties in investigating
and examining such plan. The proposed
plan was a violation of home rule, the
resolution also said.
Other objections made il the resolu-
ton were that the plan exceeded the
scope acr which the commission was
appointed, as it did not provide for
the development of the entire port of
New York, extending to New Bruns-
wick on the west Piermont and larry
town on the north and Fort Washing
ton and Long Island Sound on the east.
Denounce Freight Proposals
ut provides for the organization of
a corporation without time limit for
It's franchises, to be known as the
Port Authority" the resolution con-
tinued, with power to acquire and
operate railroads (surface and sub
way) and terminals, and 10 make rules
and regulations with the force Of stat
utes, and fix charges without limit
and generally to control the methods
of Merchandise in said port district
"The method proposed for handing
freight on a subway to Manhattan Isl
and does not constitute m9dern meth
DDS OF freight facilities. The unload
ing of all freight cars on the New
Jersey meadows, while the freight cars
destined for New Jersey merchants can
go to their destination unopened, with
out delays, and the opposite practice,
that freight starting from Manhattan
must be reloaded on the Jersey mead
ows, while freight from New Jersey
merchants starts directly for the West,
constitutes great detriment to the
merchants Of the City Of New York.
threatening the commercial supremacy
Of our city"