New-York tribune., 1873-03-13
LETTERS FROM THE PEOPLE.
THE NEw-JERsEY RAILROAD PROBLEM.

IHE NEW-JEhSEI hAlLJNNhD hODibhh'
METHODS FOR ITS soLUTIoN-A PLAN FOR CUT
TING A PASSAGE THROUGH THE BERGEN
HILL - BENEFITS OF GOVERNMENTAL IN
TERRENCE.
TO the Bdffor Of TIE Tribune.
SIR: Whatever may be the result OF the
present contest the Legislature of Newersey on the
railroad question: the people will not forget your recent
timely and forcble article the subject Your interest
In the matter natural one and not secondary TO that
OF our citizens Practically, all land communca-
ton from Nev-York both with the South and West,
be across NewJersey territory, and it is perhaps
not venturing too much assert that any measures
looking the increase Of facilities for this purpose or
the removal OF existing obstacles, must be consum-
mated IL they are not originated by the enterprise aud
capital Of NewYork her interest in the question being
the greater.
The first great impediment to Western travel from
New-York is the Bergen Mountain, now passed by
means OF the Erie tunnel the Bergen cut and the pass
age used by the Newark and NewYork Railroad. One
Of objects Of this communication Is 10 suggest tht
an open cut Of say 800 feet width be made through the
hill which would afford space for at least l2 double
track roads The enterprise might be carried through
by private capital or be made State alr conducted
by trustees appointed by NewJersey. The owners Oh
the low ground lying between the hill and New-1erh
harbor and Others would doubtless buy the raprock ex-
cavaed at remunerave prices for filling ana for ROAD
and when 1t remembered that the Delaware and Lack
awapna Railroad Company is new paying 100000 per an
nu 70 the Erie for the use Of tunnel but little doubt
entertained of the profitable character Oh 'he un
The Bergen Hill difficulty disposed Of, the main ques-
ton of the greatest amount OF railroad accOnno
ony ri1ains IN he considered Your articles urged the
granting OF the charter OF the National All Line hoa
and that is defeated, the passing OF gehera
road law. Either OF tnese measures Moit y. 49, 1ar
produce immediate good effects and prepare tne way i9
permanent system. The history OF rallroadiuS IN ts
country for the past 30 years proves anost
that effective step can be taken 10 prevent comona
tons or consultations while the business remains e4-
clHsively n private hands Indeed the stronsest op
ponents Of consolidation are not prepared 10 say nna
taking into consideration the question o safety W
human life, such prevention is desirable.
Another object of this communication is to suggest
that the remedy for the difficulty may De ouna IN IN Go
ernmenta interference Let as suppose thaa N 'G %
of NewJersey the State should purchase one OF
better-buy up the unfinished West Line road now said
be under foreclosure and probably TO be had at
reasonable figure The road might be built according 10
its present projected route aith0ugh very adYah,
ageous deyau0n from It's present line cond Oe poheu
ou west line road to the Delaware WIN soutner @
branch starting in Somerset County anu so
intended route of the National Air Line 10 PnuaueP
An act Of incorporation might be passed ae roau
in hands of managers TO be appointed annually III
classes by the State, but TO be prohibited from holding
stock The distance rayersed by Doth branches woud m
be about $50 miles, requiring an outlay OF say SlOCOO
The OF freight and passenger fare should De so
graduated that not more than seven per cent per annm
should be divided the stockholders besides the
reservation OF such surplus fund as experience might
show be To provide Tor contingencies vi
the $40 100000 stock s0OOOo could be hed by the
state, the dividends which could be invested as
sning fund for the gradual purchase by the State OF
the entire stock OF the road - after the requirement
by Of the whole stock the dividends 10 DO dc
voted 10 the cause of public education.
The benefits which might be expected to accrue from
this measure would probably be threefod.
First: The establishment OF a state railway which on
the one hand being in danger OF consolidation. would
serve as Trustworthy exponent OF railway expense and
regulator and fares and on the other hand being
free frou the fear Of competition would al ways maintain
track equipment service and executive at the maxi
mum of efficiency.
Second The formation of the first section OF great
national system OF railroads radatng from the CONNER
cial the Union.
Third facilities afforded by such system to the
General Government for transportation OF troops and
munitions of war, In OF foreign invasion. A r.
Huady. M, March 9, 1873.