The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1889-11-14
BERGHN'S L" RAILROAD
1t Will Take About Two
Years to Finish 1t.
FIFTEEN MINUTES TO NEW YORK
There Are to be Eight Local Sta
tions on lis Line--H0W 1t
is to Be Built

The application made by the Central
Elevated Transit Company to the COM
mon Council, Tuesday night, for consent
to build an elevated railway from the
ferry of the Central Railroad to Jewett
and West Side avenues proves that our
citizens are waking up to an appreciation
of the means to best subserve their own
interests.
In the first place large majority of the
holders of property adjoining the route
have cordially assented to the same, after
prolonged consideration of the pros and
cons. This is the first positive step in the
right direction, the consent of the city
authorities being the second necessary to
be taken in the direction Of realizing this
great boon.
ENGINEERING DIFFICULTIES
But to secure this first step some OF our
citizens have been laboring for years, and
deserve great credit for their staying
qualities. The route is not an easy one
fer construction purposes. The bridge OF
the National Storage Company across
the lower portion of johnson avenue is a
very serious obstacle. To overcome it,
very steep grades and specially high
but short level is necessary. This has rem
dered locomotive elevated railway OF
the type adopted in Brooklyn and New
York out of the question. Our towns
man, E. W. HARRISON, the Chief En-,
gineer of the new Transit Company
has been on the look out for
plans which might meet the difficulty
mentioned and also the necessity OF the
steep grades required to gain the right
elevation at Summit avenue. He made
exploring trips to ascertain what methods
were presented in other places to sur
mount these troublesome features. and at
l4r, hv nnvsxY
which seemed to meet the case.
at was in 1884" said Mr.. Harrison,
when called on him this morning that
the Central Railroad Company objected
to the State valuations because OF the
distance of its ferry from the travelling
centre. / then advised the company to
open up Johnston avenue and make that
a thoroughfare, and suggested that an
elevated road be built across the Hill.
'sFinally after much trouble | sue
ceeded In inducing the company to con-
sent to open Johnston avenue If l could
raise capital suffic1ent to build the .ele-
waited road.
sThe company also agreed to give us
terminal and ferry faculties fit for rapid
trans it and to lease us the right of way
through it's yard for term of ninety
nine years.
~ then began to make estimates and
get capital interested. / sounded the
property owners on the question and, be-
lieving the ma ajoIity were in favor OF the
enterprise, prepared q prospectus ana
presented it to New York capitalists,
The cost was estimated at nearly $1,0G0,
600 without the slightest chance of re-
ceiving for five years the interest on the
capital.
we estimated that it would require an
increase of population OF from $1,000 TO
75.OO0 persons to make it pay at all, but
believed rapid transit that would take q
person from West Side avenue to Broad
way in twenty minutes would bring this
Increase the same as 1t did to Harlem
and Brooklyn.
Jersey City and Bergen Railroad Com
pany and from that you may judge why
It will be necessary TO bring people here,
and, by bringing them. how much the
wealth of the city is increased.
NOT A CENTRAL SCHEME.
ssI would like it to be distinctly known
that the rumor that the Central Railroad
or any other railroad company is behind
this or in any way identified with it is alb
solutely untrue, except to the extent of
the privileges we obtain for value re-
ceived from 1t.
''In the matter of this elevated road
the Jersey City & Bergen Railroad Conn
pany has been very courteous to us, for
Mr. Thurston President of that road.
realizes that the increase of population
the enterprise will cause Will also DenenL
his company in short rides while we will
get our share Of through travel
ORGANIZING THE COMPANY.
when / spoke to A. q. Cheney, Presi-
dent of the Garfield National Bank, about
the matter he became at once interested,
and together with some other capitalists
we went over the ground. The result
was they agreed to take hold of the affair
providing the necessary consent of one.
half of the property owners along the
route was obtained and the Board of
Aldermen granted u franchise.
s.The company was Incorporated with
a capital stock of $3.50. 900 under the Gen
eral Railroad Law, governing street rail
roads. which requires that one half of the
capital shall. in cash, be deposited with
the Secretary of State before any work is
done and an affidavit fled in that Ctfice
that all the stock has been subscribed and
will be paid on demand.
1.-THE incorporators are A. G. Cheeney,
president; Hiram Hitchcock, A. =. Oar
ling, Stephen 0. Jennings, r. I. Harvey,
Charles L Grary, Garret Van n 4orne.
son, John Hilton, George Holmes, j. p.
Ryan and James Raymond"
''How soon will work on the structure
be begun?"
Just as soon as the Board of Alderman
grant the franchise 1t will take nearly
two years to complete it. :"
"How about damages to dissatisfied
property owners; will any be givenp'
IF they they are damaged we can not
help paying them. Judge Knapp will APP
point three Commissioners to condemn
the property, and what they consider
equitable we must pay. The company is
willing to do all that is fair. and If any
owner prefers arbitration to the courts,
the Company will agree to it. However
I do not apprehend much trouble, be-
cause the owners of three-fourths of the
improved land on Jewett avenue have
signed the petition favoring 1t. and that
is the only improved street we go
through"
HOW IT WILL BE BUILT.
The structure will be entirely of iron
with no cross ties except at every eight
feet one of iron This will leave the
street open and light and not like the
elevated roads in New York CITY, Other
wise it will be built similar to the Sixth
avenue road. There will be ut least eight
depots and more should they be required
The road will bring wealth to Jersey
City and convenience to the residents
SOME WHO PROTEST.
Among those who protest against the
proposed enterprise are William NJ
Brush, John j. Siefke, William Kepsley,
James Keller and DR.. Forman, all of
.Jewett avenue.
When / saw Mr.. Siefke this morning
he said he was in favor of an elevated
railroad if it did not damage his property,