New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1922-01-08
Metz Declares
Port Plans Are
Almost Alike
Non'Partisan Chairman Die.
covers Projects Virtually
, Il in 35 Important
respects, He Announces
PRIMARILY a Rail Problem
Most Desirable Remedies
Will Involve Cooperation
ct los Municipalities

ne Committee on Non-Partisan
faSts' q which former Comntro,,or
herman A. Metz is chairman. finds that
instead Of being worlds apart and
'rreconcltahle,' tho Port Authority
pan and the New York Board of Es-
innate plan arc alike in at least thirty
I've important respects Mr.. Metz has
sent memorandum CARRYING this in
formation to legislators and citizens.
In making it public he said:
The nation, as we'll as every one Of
The 1o5 municipalities that make IN
The Port of New York. needs united ac.
;icn this winter rather than dixunitine
controversy. Corporation always starts
ny omphasizing similarities; conflict
eeos on differences. Two plans for
helping commerce that are alike in
thirty-tive important respects can be
worked over into one plan for united
action if only all sides will emphasize
engineering and economic similarities
before splitting over political differ
enccs"
Among some of the moro important
smilaritics noted by Mr.. Metz were:
Both plans declare that present con-
ditions are not only costly and confus-
ing. but menacing to the future pros
peritv of New York City.
Both plans declare that, unless pres
emit conditions arc corrected. the Port
Of New York, and New York CITY in
particular. Will progressively lose in
pre- emneuce and will be progressively
stunned by world commerce that
seeks utmost dispatch and efficiency ct
port terminals.
Conditions Are Remarkable
Both plans declare the present in
tolerablc conditions arc rcmediablc.
Both plans show that the most de-
sirablc remedies will involve the CO.
oneIa:ion Of l05 municipalities. two
states and the Federal government,
witch have jurisdiction over different
parts Of the Port of New York.
Both plans insist that the port prob
lem is primarily railroad problem
and cannot be solved without proper
arrangements for the quick and easy
handling of rail cars and cargoes.
Both olans agree that, while funda-
mental remedies will take several
wears, there are a number of easy-to-
take steps which would afford immcd-
ate relief. such as oscillation of car
floats ightcrage services and init
terminals.
Both plans declare that all freight
other than fast freight, and such so.
CA ed slow freight rs originates in or
is defined for the consumption of the
lowe Manhattan district should not be
allowed to enter Manhattan and should
be earlier diverted and routed to the
Bronx. Queens, Brooklyn, Staten Island
and upper eastern Manhattan water
fronts.
Both plans provide for a so.called
bet lines being almost Identical from
Central Railroad of New Jersey line
norrhWard.
Both plans have three belt line. in
Brooklyn which are almost identical.
bota plans connect their New Jersey
outer belt lines with the Brooklyn main
belt line, BIZ. by dtferen. tunnels.
Both plans have their classification
yards before traffic reaches Brooklyn
congestion.
Both plans have an almost identical
bet line around Jamaica Bay.
Both plans have identical Brooklyn
waterfront belt lines.
Bronx Belt Lines Identical
Both plans have belt lines ir the
BrenX East River which are PRACTICAL
ly Identical
Botc plans have practically identi-
cal belt lines around Flushing Bay.
Botn plans utilize the city's present
and projected Staten Island improve
ments.
Both rl~ns would defect the greater
part Of INC New York Central's freight
traffic from the West Side to lower
Brony. upper east Manhattan, Long
island ard Staten Island.
Both plans insist that they will not
only solve difficulties and cut present
costs, but VIII also finance themselves
out of earnings.
Both plans promise profits to the
consumer III the form OF cheaper foods
and cheaper products made possible
~ lower trans portation costs.
Botn plans promise increased profits
to the railroads and steamship COM
nanies by insurlng greater volume of
business, lower costs Of operation and
release of vast capital now tied up in
DUPLICATED shore and yard properties.
Both plans promise increased profits
to owners Of real estate by developing
heretofore undeveloped areas by re-
leasing for manufacturing and ship
ping purposes areas now used or
affected by railroad occupation, and by
increasing the ports business.
Both plans promise reduced taxes by
insuring increased revenues from taxes
on port improvements.