The New York herald., 1922-01-01
PORT DEVELOPMENT
Plan IS ANNOUNCED
Improvements Now Under
Way Are Made Part of
Endorsed Report.
QUICK RELIEF URGED
Manhattan Motor Truck
Service Favored Until
Completion.
NARROWS TUBE OUTLINED
Growth of Trade Provided For:
Argument for Diverting
Business Silenced.

The comprehensive plan for de-
vefopment of the port of New York
was made public last night after it
had been submitted to the Governors
of New York and New Jersey and
copies of the report had been sent to
every member of the Legislatures by
the Port of New York Authority. The
report was in the form adopted by the
commissioners and approved by the
advisory council OF chambers of COM
merce and civic organizations within
the port district.
A compact between the States of
New York and New Jersey, approved
by the two Legislatures, established
the Port of New York Authority and
directed it to draw up a plan for port
development. This plan has been op-
posed by Mayor Hylan, who has other
proposals designed to bring about the
same ends.
Some additions are made to the ten
tative forms of the plan submitted to
the council December by Chairman
Eugenius II. Outerbridge, and several
changes in the transportation facii-
ties proposed are indicated, but none
affects the general structure of the
plan.
The large municipal port, terminal
and waterways improvements now un-
der way are made part of the report
and their relationship to the whole
plan is indicated. The much discussed
Narrows tunnel from Staten Island
to Brooklyn, which under existing
legislation the city is authorized to
build, is likewise shown. 1t is pointed
out, however, that under the bi-State
compact which created the Authority
exclusive control is reserved to every
municipality over its own properties
and entire freedom in its local de-
velopments. Consequently, the Mar
rows tunnel can be made part OF the
comprehensive plan only if the city
consents.
Plans for Immediate Relief.
A special part OF the report deals with
a plan for Immediate measures OF relief
for Manhattan Island during the period |
railway system is being constructed. |
Tho emergency plan calls for the estab-
llshment OF a motor truck gervlcc be- !
tween the railroads of the port district |
and Manhattan Island. This service. to
avoid delays which make for the present
high trucking costs, says the report. !
may properly utilize the principle of a
container and may either be performed |
by motor trucks with detachable bodies |
serving as containers or by motor trucks |
whose bodies carry containers.
Other features OF this plan would in |
volve union freight stations on Manhat-
tan. served by all the railroads OF the |
port district and located at such points
as would minimize the truck mileage be-
tween the shipper and the consignee and
the freight station. and facilitate store |
door delivery, TO which the report gives
emphatic support.
"a map gives the location OF the pro- !
posed stations and shows highway con- |
nections such se the contemplated Hud- |
son River BRIGGS, the proposed four bor- |
ough bridge over the Harlem and He'll !
gate, and other facilities designed to
improve the transportation OF commodi- !
ties and foodstuft.
This system a. outlined will reduce
tho present use OF Manhattan's streets
and waterfront for freight purposes:
VIII reduce congestion and will reduce
existing costs" saws the report but
as the tonnage OF Manhattan grows the !
cost OF operating under the system will
grow-the congestion of streets and
waterfront will recur and n better system
should supplant H. The automatic cleo
tric system offers a better and cheaper
method between Manhattan and the rail- |
roads. rs It's tonnage cxrands its oper-
ating cost lesseis. It's tunnels are far
below the ctys streets and its terminals
ere inland from tho congested water
front"
Several Years of work Needed.
The report points out. however. that
" will take several years TO build the
automatic system. including the four
tunnels under the Hudson River and
twelve terminal warehouses in Manhat-
tan. In view Of the time element, and
since there cannot be an accurate fore
cast as 20 tho effect upon Manhattan
traffic OF the plans provided for Brook
lyn, Queens and staten Island. which it
Is believed will divert much freight now
taken 20 and from Manhattan. the Au-
thority recommends adoption OF the tenn
porary plan as an evolutionary step
toward tie permanent solution Of the
problem.
IN its report on the port plan as a
whole, covering the entire district the
Authority lays special stress upon its
outstanding Characteristic. the connoc-
tion between the two sides Of the port.
This As o belt line connecting an OF tho
nine railroads on the westerly side OF
the port. with a tunnel under the Upper
Tay from Greenville 20 Bay Ridge 10
connect with the three trunk lines on the !
casterly side OF the port
'"This tunnel will develop indua.~y and
commerce and waterfrorts in both
states, which under tne existing system
~ water transfers are held back" says
the report.
The report describes in detail series
or railroad belt lines and marginal rail-
waya 70 serve all parts OF the port dis- /