New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1921-01-16
Calder Calls
Ship Diversion
Alarming Sign
Demand Made for Adequate
Port Facilities Should Be
Literally Responded To,
Is Senator's Declaration
Unified Effort Is Urged
High Costs Here Declared
Largely the Result of
a Lack of Coordination

Establishment Of a broad-minded
policy is necessary in connection with
: the development Of the Port Of New
York. says Senator William NJ Calder,
in a statement made to the Brooklyn
Chamber Of Commerce. Development of
existing facilities and unification Of
harbor administration, he declares, will
make possible the introduction Of
methods that effect marked economies
in the handling of foreign commerce
through this port. Recent diversion of
shipping from New York, Mr.. Calder
characterizes as alarming"
II believe that the Port of New York
should be developed as a whole, in
Guiding that part that lies within the
boundaries Of our friendly sister state,
New Jersey" says Senator Calder az
believe that the future prosperity of
all located within the metropolitan
area, and benefit to the whole coun-
try, will result through union Of both
sides of the port. I have already ca
pounded this view in the support Of
the construction of the vehicular tun-
nei.
New York and New Jersey arc GUS
todians of the gateway for half the
foreign commerce of the United States
Of America, and as such we all must
have broad conception of the sound
principles of port development and be
Tree from any narrow sectional bias.
Broad-Minded Policy Urged
"The Boroughs of Manhattan and
Brooklyn have all to gain by broad
minded policy. In the expansion of the
physical plant to accommodate more
commerce, the banking and merchandise
ing center of lower Manhattan will
profit greatly through the administra-
ton and financing of this increased
business. To have an adequate physical
plant to take care of the demands for
transportation made upon the Port of
New York requires the rational de-
velopment of all the waterfront around
the bay. If these demands for ADEQUATE
port and terminal facilities are not
provided for, business will be found to
&c elsewhere, as has been the case to
an alarming degree in recent months
THE port suffers from congestion.
Congestion means heavy, unnecessary
expenses in the Transportation Of
freight and passengers. The increase
In the cost Of transportation caused
by congestion falls upon the merchants
4of New York. both foreign and domes-
tice, both exporter and importer, upon
the steamship and railway lines. These
heavy expenses increase the cost of
living, decrease the ability of New York
to compete in domestic markets and
decrease the ability of the United
States as. whole to compete in for
eign markets.
Costs Must Be Kept Down
Large ocean terminals have the adj
vantage of affording a great tonnage
market, place where cargo can find
shipping space and where ships can
find cargo. But increase in the size of
the terminals means increased terminal
costs, and only through the most care
1ui attention to the proper design and
terminal as a unit can these costs be
kept at a minimum.
II they are not under scientific con-
struction ana management we will con-
tlnue IN the present position in which
much traffic is diverted to smaller and
less expensive ports, or at this time
does not move at all because the
charges are more than the traffic can
bear
"The high costs of the port are due
90 lack OF coordination, making it nee
delays Of many kinds due to conres-
ton: The unification of all elements of
the Fort of New York, with proper con-
struction of new facilities on a broad
gauged plan, and administration of all
parts OF the harbor as unit. will make
possible the introduction of many fea-
lures that will reduce the cost of ship
ping foreign and domestic commerce
through this port
Port Public Utility
New York and New JERSEY are in
trusted with doing the most expensive
ana dlhcult work connected with half
tne nation's foreign commerce, that of
trcnssnlpment and storage between tho
interior and the ocean carrier. The
burden should not necessarily fall en-
tireiy upon New York and New Ter
sey' put some joint cooperative effort
should be evolved through which 10
nasion as a whole, New York and New
Jersey cooperate in the proper con.
seruction OF adequate port and terminal
administration. anu
The port should be a great ruh,ic
utility, with provisions for thu deval-
cpment OF private initiative and opera
iao OF us various parts upon some
leasing plan. or mixed private and
pubic operating companies.
me TASK Is, an enormous one. Int
.ns american people have shown them
. seIves capable of dealing with greas
sasks and successfully solving comnii-
ca'ea problems. Only by the solving
1Y,,t me problem successfully can the
NN NM States and the greater Port Of
t Msw York adequately participate in
m rms ocean commerce Of the world and
x;s.I 81 mat merchant marine that is
70 our prosperity and prestige"
Polish CL: 60