Perth Amboy evening news., 1921-07-26
PORT

Declaring that the problem of New York port
development is in its essence a railroad problem
the New York Commercial, in a recent sketch
of Staten Island as a factor in port develop
ment points out that the rail connections on
Staten Island are taxed beyond capacity and
entirely inadequate for the railroad needs of
the greatly enlarged traffic that must center
at the new municipal piers at Clifton. In this
way the Commercial points out to the need of
the belt line railroad that will connect Staten
Island with the mainland, as we'll as connecting
up the eastern railroads with the lines running
t. western points.
I The Commercial says as follows:
"For the coordination of these various links
. there is still a more important propo-
sition of the proposed belt line which will con-
meet the north and east shores Of Staten Island
and also eventually the west shore of Staten
Island by means of a tunnel under the Staten
Island Sound with all roads leading south and
west, including the Baltimore G. Ohio, Penn
syivania, Reading, Central Railroad of New
Jersey. Lehigh Valley, Lackawanna & Western,
ana the Erie railroad. The tunnel bill recently
passed provides for east shore development on
Staten Island by the interested railroads.
1.-THE belt line has been planned to make it
possible to transfer shipments by rail directly
to the steamers side. or vice versa, and 1t will
result in a tremendous saving in money and
human effort"
While the Commercials sketch primarily
effects the development Of Staten Islands water
front, there is much food for thought for Perth
Amboy and other points in this locality, even
though nothing was said about the extension
- fha holt 1ipa railroad fo fhia mort. A map
was published with the sketch. which traced
In the proposed Staten Island connecting rail-
road, which would cross the Arthur Kill at a
point between Port Reading and Roosevelt. The
drawing also showed the connecting railroads
at Perth and South Amboy. The sketch also
went on to say that 'the further and more
ambitious plans having a direct connection with
this improvement are in the direction OF Gre
ating a system of railway lines and tunnels
which shall not only make Staten Island Access
olble from all parts of the greater city and New
Jersey. but also will have a most beneficent
vffsct the elimination Of lighterage, re-
and trucking which now cause the
costs of transshipment in New York to average
much higher than in those other ports when
have. in recent years, become competitors OF
New York for the transshipment OF interior
and western freight"
From all indications the Staten Island project
IA only one of the big projects to be taken up
BY city, state and port authorities of both New
Jersey and New York during the coming year.
Perth Amboy representatives are today attend
ing a group meeting of Middlesex and Mon
mouth county men with the advisory council
of the Port of New York Authority. At a later
date larger meetings will be held, at which
Perth Amboy should be strongly represented.
This port must make a determined stand Tor
a share In whatever developments are to be
attempted, whether it be the belt line railroad
terminals or deeper waterways.
It might be claimed that in any logical and
thoroughly effective development of the Port
Of New York. Staten Island must be a leading
strategic center, but at the same time, like
claims would be made for Perth Amboy. An