New-York tribune., 1921-01-03
Mayor to Hear
OF Ports Lack
OF Facilities
Asks 4. r. Smith to Lay
E Outline of the Existing
Situation Here Before
the Board of Estimate
Ship Diversion Serious
Marked Shrinkage in Trade
Continues as Result of
Shipping Boards Policy

Shipping Boards Policy
Charges made By Alexander R.
Smith. publisher OF the Port Of New
York Annual. that the Shipping Board 5
policy OF scattering shipping" was re-
Slting in the loss of much trade to
The pert and that the city's failure to
increase the harbor facilities was de-
velopHg i serious situation, are likely
10 be brought before the Beard of Es-
innate and Apportionmen..
Mayer Hyian, replying to a letter
from Mr. Smith outlining the charges,
states that he has placed the matter on
the calendar of the Board of Estimate.
, and that Mr.. Smith will have an op-
portunity 10 appear before the board
and present the situation.
State Action a Possibility.
In lis communication 70 the Mayor
Nr. Smith con-rasted the work of port
Development in Newark with the situa-
tion here, and added:
"Do you think it Will. or do YOU
think that y VIII not be neces sary for
the states powers to be invoked to
insure the retention of New York's
shipping and commerce, since the Cjtv
Of New York so long has shown itself
unwilling to DO so?
Il hope that this matter will COM
H.sad your personal attention and that.
you may be disposed 10 lead in action
tina. Will conround such OF US as have
10 faith in New Tork's intention TO do
more than milk It's shipping of the last
possible dollar in eXcortionate wharf
age charges which the victims. other-
wise known as vessel owners, are will
ing 10 pay, because ofthe singutarlv
mean policy the city has for tifty Years
pursued OF keeping its supply of
wharves far below the demand. seem
ingiy 20 make it easier for the civ
TO exact exorbitant rentals from, shin
pIng-a shipping already beginning 70
vanish"
Ports Trade Diminishing
For months past the proportion Of
the county's exports and imnorfs
handled through the Port OF New YorL
comparison with other ports has
dininlshed. Southern ports, and espe-
c'aily New Orleans. have made marked
gains, particularly in regard to ex-
ports, in the carriage of which the
oHIpping Boards vessels have had a
much greater share than privately
operated American shipping.
Admiral Benson in July last an
nounced that he proposed to break up
.ae monopoly in shipping held by New
YORK BY diverting the boards tonnage
70 otner ports. A marked shr.nkaes
IN the trade here followed almost i'm
Medlate.y and has continued steadily.
Speaking at Charleston, S. c., re-
cently, the chairman of the Shipping
Board stated that "the monopoly Of
overseas shipping heretofore held by
few OF our largest seapcrts retarded
the early development of our mer-
chant marine" 1t was responsible, he
added, FOR shortsignted policies which
prevented the building I'D Of proper
facilities for the loading and dis
charging Of vessels in the most eff
cient manner.
Benson Spreads Shipping
"fhe feeling OF security that these
large ports possessed because of their
confidence that NJ effort could be made
70 spread out along scientific lines the
steamship services" Admiral Benson
continued. had much to do with lack
o. development and proper growth of
the shipping business in this country.
During the last six months have kept
careful watch Of the work involved
IN. spreading our shipping to bring
about the logical development of ali
our ports. 1t is my belief that we
lave made some progress in this di-
Tsctlon and that the spirit Of COM
peNtion between the various seaports
o. this land is TO the benefit Of ALL"
The results showed, Admiral Benson
declared, that the South and the Gulf
ports had done splendidly, and he
pointed out that 101 Shipping Board
vsssels had been allocated to New Or
leans, IS 20 Galveston, 35 to Mobile, 2s
70 eavaanah and % to Jacksonville.
Remedies Seen at Hand
In speech before the American
soc.ery Of Civil Engineers here recently,
~ " Robinson pointed out that New
iorz vas fortunate in possessing large
areas Of unreclaimed land contiguous to
Me city and harbor, where docks and
Fnarves could De built and where rail-
foaa yards could be laid out to any de-
Efed extent. It would be possible, he
sNc with improved modern dredging
machinery, 20 reclaim these areas at
ass cost than the value OF the real
ssAts created. The reclamations that
asa oeen made up to the present, he
..aeed, were small and disconnected and
;0rnsd no criterion Of what could be
s'ae IN comprehensive way with mod
"a acs cnisa class dredges of large power.
easpplng interests" Mr.. Robinson
sadeo, are az present feeling their way
.sard gradual increase in the size
.na capacity Of vessels. and are pre-
s.aaed from taking fuller advantage
= aadouoted economy because Of limita-
..0a q draft Of water, fear Of conges-
..'s' es.ay n port and lack Of facilities
provide full cargoes promptly. These
s.a''atlons are quite renediable, and il
soon The satisfactory solving Of these
ses''ons taat the success Of d great