The New York herald., 1867-02-12
OUR FERRIRs.

OUR FERRIEs.
Meeting Of the Ferry Investigating Com usis-
tee mt washington Hall, msbura-Ths
Williamsburg Ferries-The Evidence. &c.
tho Committee on Commerce and Navigation met yea
terday at Washington Hail. Williamsburg, for the pur
pose Of receiving evidence in reference TO The alleged
mismanagoment Of the williamsburg ferriea A large
number OF gentlemen appeared 70 give testimony and
the session OF the committee unusually lengthy
At the suggestion Of the chairman Mr.. Charles ".
Briggs managed the evidence behalf of the people,
90 as TO avoid confusion and repetition Of the same ac
Mr. Huntley appeared in behalf OF the Ferry Company
Judge Thomson said he believed the chief grew
ances Of the passengers upon the Williamsburg
ferries were that the rates charged by the company
were excessive and extortionate, and that there
were not SUFFICIENT accommodation Now.
70 satisfactorily clear up these questions information
was required which the company alone could furnish.
For instance to ascertain whether II the rate Of fcage
reduced the ferry would be remunerative 70 the
company would be impossible unless the books Of the
company subjected to a close and careful exam-
nation
Mr. Scoes said he wished call the attention Of the
committee to the fact that these ferries farmed out
which imposed, practically tax upon the citizens Of
Long Island. New York claimed the right to farm.
prior TO the Revolution. The ferries were farmed
out TO the highest bidder and not 10 the person
most O he pUc TSs psors o
Long Island had been taxed for anording all kinds Of
facilities TO reach New York. canals railroads, &c. and
then they were again taxed in the most unjust and Of
fensive manner when they wished 70 get across the
river to New York. History had shown that monopoes
pressive and inquitous methods Of taxation. the
great evil In New York tenement houses
and yet New York laid tax upon The only snectual
means Of relieving itself from this evil he regarded
Brooklyn as really part Of the city Of New York and
every possible facility should be afforded nhabi-
ants TO reach that city. 1t the interest the
ferry company to carry few people possible over
the ferry when they approached the end of their lease
able price, II they were to give the public better ac-
commodations the traffic would be large enough 10 in
would have 10 dispose Of their boats and ferry houses a.
great sacrifice. loud applause
Mr. Oakey-How, then, would you run the ferries,
Mr. scolesIt would be the better plan for the Corpo
ration of New York to let the privilege out TO the
pany who would give tho bast accommodations the
public for certain rate Of feryage The Corporation
should name in granting the lease, specifically
than at present the in which the ferry should
be run, and the accommodations be afforded the
public
Was resident of Brooklyn and frequently crossed the
Williamsburg ferries; the chief ground OF complaint
which he had against the ferry company that there
not sufficient number Of boats to convey vohicles
the river from about eight to ten O'Clock in the
morning the teams were greatly delayed sometimes for
shape ice; this frequently resulted In accidents;
ness had been thrown out OF buggy which occurred
s S na n se
frequently out OF orders while being repaired the slips
could not be used and the supply Of boats was conse
quently decreased the charges Tor errying teams
high witness used 10 b,y tickets three or four years
ago at dollar for ten now ticket cost twenty cents;
the Jerry at present refused TO issue commulauon
tickets; some Of the boats were nearly new; tho
ferry houses were not very clean the
m of tha mi
esed in the ferry residents OF New York; the boats
we're now furnished with life preservers, the general
opinion Of the citizens Of Williamsburg ID reference
the ferries very unfavoYabe the chief groonds Of
complaint the frequent dstenons the rates Of
cent that was whsn there was an opposition lne the
opposition line started by the citizens themselves
insufficient ferry accommodations prevented many
people, witness believed from coming 70 Williamsburg
manufacturers, for instance -
pany was generally understood to have lease 10
be running on . merely nominal lease; the south
Seventh street ferry had changed It's terminus much
the inconvenAnce OF the public; we'll known that
one Of the tracks at the Roosevelt street slip had been
broken down for considerable time-a year al least
had been the practice to hitch hawser from sple
close up TO the ferry house to the boat and prevent
her running aground on the sunken rock az night he
the filthy condition of the boats and ferry houses
notorous the people Of Williamsburg thought they had
right 70 demand better accommodations for their
money; ten years ago the company issued Communication
tckes at $40 per year. but this had been abolished;
single passage three cents; the only show Of beraty
made by the company to sell eight tickets and
ought regulate these matters but his only hope
in the Legislature, which might perhaps bring me cor
poraton to their senses
john II. Tobit sworn-Witncss appeared TO represent
the great mass Of workingmen who lived In Williams
burg; he had twelve in his Office who lost great
deal OF time in the year by deentions the ferry As
the request Of witness that portion OF lease granted
TO the company slipulating that they shall boats
from sunrise to sunset every I'VE minutes was read,
no hoafs or ra M haif
the ferry management ten years much superior
70 what ii now in respect to cleanliness and accommo
daon.
Calvin Klein sworn-Reside in Williamsburg: had
crossed the ferry with horse wagon loaded lightly
from Grand street, Williamsburg, 10 Grand street, New
York, few weeks ago, and had been charged fifteen
cents the ferry between Jersey City and New York
they charged, for the same wagon twelve cents =
charged twenty cents; two days later he was charged
thirty cents for the same vehicle; there was little
difference in the load which he had in has wagon ~
these times but when he had tho heaviest load he had
been charged the lowest rate. Qaughterl
Gerrit Polhemus, sworn-Between eight, and ten
O'Clock In the morning extremely difficult for
hiccs get across the river It would save time, ~
down town rather than wait to be ferriod across at
Grand street; the charge for double horse
forty ns; some four or five years ago u was only
twenty five but had bcen gradually raised the charges
were the the Grand street and Roosevelt
FERRIES sometimes there was man at the ferries 10
ing to It's number whom this not the tho
biggest teams got through first and light wagon had no
chance; be had sometimes paid man double ferrages
for his ticket 10 waiting carriages got in
jured by pushing through; he had lost tins way
than by the wear and tear Of regular work.
Alderman Fisher. sworn-Hs Office overlooked tho
entrance Of the ferry II was very common thing in
the morning for the whole space between she ferry
house and the to be entirety flied up not
only to obstruct and make dangerous for passengers
70 on but also TO blockade the track many aec
dents grew out Of this crowdng he had had charge Of
suits arising from accidents thus created
Dr. Leonard W. Bacon, sworn-WilDess wished to
make two statements reference the ferries
In the Interests OF humanity and decency; the
grade OF the bridge leading from the thai
excessively cruel driving and great deal Of hard
ing necessary get the teams up 10 the street,
was also q source Of delay; he had knowu
boats delayed, especially the Division avenue
ferry, for quite . long time from this canse; in
such cases the passengers expected 10 help
up the teams and, ~ thoy were Interested
in starting they generally did so; witness
was so impressed with the nuisance that he wrote
the SncletA for the Prevention