DOCK FACILITIES IN NEW YORK CITY. 49 
industries of the East will more and more drift directly from Boston to the West. 
You cannot segregate the facilities of the water front, or separate our coastwise 
commerce either by rail or steamship from the nearby warehouses. They are inter- 
dependent, one upon the other. 
The second point I would mention is the absolute necessity of New York having 
a proper deep water outlet to the east via Long Island Sound. The Metropolitan 
City of the United States needs a double exit to the sea both for war and commercial 
purposes. It can be accomplished at minimum expense, considering the advantages 
to ensue, by widening and deepening the channel through Hell Gate as far eastward 
as the Brothers. When that is accomplished, much of the local business can be 
handled both by the existing railroads and by future docks in the neighborhood of 
the Harlem, while battleships will have a double means of approaching to and from 
the sea. 
There is till one other point I would like to touch upon, and which is referred 
to by Mr. Barney. 
Granting that we are a commercial people, and need many dock facilities, we 
are also citizens of the chief city of the western continent. As such both from 
patriotic, state and civic pride, we should do more to beautify our water front. This 
can be accomplished along Riverside Drive, giving to the populace a playground 
without interfering with the present park system; simply by filling the shoals now 
unkept and unimproved. There, also, should be built a fitting reception pier 
and water-gate to receive distinguished naval officers and to provide accommo- 
dations for our enlarged navy. Between 72d Street and 125th Street, should be 
placed all the marine public institutions. 
The need of such an artistic improvement was shown some few weeks ago when 
our own large fleet, being second only to one in the world, was anchored in the 
Hudson River. The people, not only of our own State, but of the whole country, 
endeavored to obtain access to our war vessels at a spot where no proper means was 
supplied for them todoso. While we are all advocates of commercial development, 
we also believe that it is essential for a great marine port, in order to retain its 
supremacy, to enhance its artistic possibilities. The question has been agitated 
ever since the Spanish-American War by various organizations, such as Columbia 
University, Fulton Monument Association, the Navy Alumni Association, Naval 
Militia, and the New York Central Railroad; all of whom are ready and prepared 
to do their share. 
May I express the hope that all who hear me will assist in this laudable endeavor. 
Mr. W. D. Forses, Member of Council:—This paper suggests to mea story told 
of Sir Alexander von Humbold. He was invited toa dinner and was seated on the 
right of the hostess, and in the good old German fashion she was to do the carving. 
She turned to him and said, ‘“‘Sir Alexander, I understand you are the best educated 
man in the world; please tell me all you know while I am carving this fowl.” 
It seems to me we have to consider a great problem in a very short time. Itisa 
