CHAPTER VII
Conclusions and Remedies

In order to bring together in compact form the evidence
upon which my conclusions are based, I shall briefly sum¬
marize the preceding chapters.

The importance of New York City as a center of popu¬
lation rests primarily on the natural advantages and peculiar
character of its site. As the direct result of the natural
position of the city it was particularly benefited by the open¬
ing of the Erie Canal and the development of steam trans¬
portation. Thus the port of New York is the natural gate¬
way to the continent.

In the 19th century there began in the United States, as
well as in other countries, a movement of population to the
cities. In New York City, and especially Manhattan, it
has been greatly accentuated by the arrival of crowds of
immigrants. Here the phenomenon of concentration, be¬
cause of geographical limitations and the lack of transit
facilities, has finally become a phenomenon of congestion.

In consequence of the commercial advantages of the port
and its wonderful transportation facilities, ocean-going and
inland. New York City has become the market-place of the
New World. Owing to the same causes, together with the
abundant and diversified labor supply, it has become the
chief manufacturing center of America. Hence a second
kind of concentration has been going on, namely, that of
factories, which has finally led to congestion in the Bor¬
ough of Manhattan.

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