New Britain herald., 1927-11-10
THE PORT OF NEW LONDON

Ever since the Connecticut IcgiS- la'ure appropriated $t,0oo."oo to es- lablish an ocean steamer torminal at | the mouth of the Thames at New London that city has been patiently waiting for the steamships.
 Some critics say that New London needs another Byran r. Mahan, who sold the port idea to Governor Simeon F.. Baldwin. After the Leg islaturo had appropriated the cool million it was widely held that tho governor would not sign the bill. ATr. Mahan, then senator from the Sth district. had few sessions with the governor. however. and his only regret later was that the ap- propriation was not for twice or three times as much. The governor, claiming 10 possess good cycsight, saw nothing but the proverbial brilliant future" for New London l as a great seaport.
 The rosy dreams of 1911 did not 1 come true. as everybody in New ] London realizes. Now another at tempt is being made to interest great ocean steamship companies to con slider New Londons peerless advan- tagos. The enterprise has the back ing of enterprising and practical men; all it needs is the steamships calling at the pier
 We would be glad to warm up to this New London project, revived after 16 years. if facts were not so stubborn. In 1910 Captain Thomas Hamilton and others compiled in tcrcsting statistics" about the ad- yantages Of New London as a port over New York. These statistics had considerable influence in obtaining the million dollar appropriation next year. We are glad to refer to the statistics.
 New London offers quicker, cheaper and better facilities for handling transatlantic commerce,
 runs the statomcTt A deep and commodious harbor, unobstructcd
 channel to the sea, cheap wharves
 upon which freight cars can be run
 to the side of ships"
 The harbor IS deep and commoli-
 GUS, all right; but the advantages oi
 freight cars being able to run tc the sides of ships needs analysis
 How do the freight cars get to New
 London? They come either from tho
 wcst-through the port of New
 ! ork-Or from the north and north
 east from points in New England.
 Freight coming from the west 1,
 lishtered through New York harbor
 some folks seem 10 think froigh cars arc hauled through tho Penn
 syi'ania tunnels under Manhattan
 but these tunnels arc reserved 10 | laSscnger trains only. Frright ar . living from the west at Jersey Cit,
 or IIobok"u would be ligh"rcd r. Long Island and there changed [, /, 'ho Now Haven railroad for trns |, portt,ion 10 New London. The light . crtng a, New York runs into none | and causes delay.
 'rrisht from the north and north :, east has 10 compete with the allure . mcntS of the port of Boston. whic , claims to have some advantages and freight from Canada would hay , 10 compete with the port of Mon Y. troal, likewise no mean port. , The Hamilton statistics say tn . most important consideration is th $ lower cost Of shipping freight q $ New London. Somehow no shipper
 have been able to figure ont an
 savings in costs. Freight from th
 west would be subject 10 ligbtcrin l charges at New York. or at lea. this is counted in with the trmspor r. tation costs; and there is extra rail road transportation to New I.oudo.
 Freight from Canada would nc , cost I'ea 10 indulge in a long rail ! road uip down to New Lonlot l There is a possible saving frol