The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1892-05-19


the Stevens Ferry at Hoboken. by which
the Delaware, Lackawanna and Western
Railroad have for years carried their pas
sengers between Hoboken and New York,
are being carried ON by several interests
which are anxious to buy this valuable
property. It is positively asserted, how
ever, by those who are in a position to
know, that in all probability the sale will
be made to one of the parties in the near
future.
THE CHIEF PURCHASERS.
So far as can be learned the probable
purchasers will be the Delaware, Lacka-
wanna and Western Railroad Company.
1t is rumored that the Central Railroad
of New Jersey and the Philadelphia and
Reading Railroad Company are ASSOCIATE
ed with the Delaware, Lackawanna and
Western Railroad in the proposed pur-
chase. The Delaware, IIackawanna and
Western Railroad, however. will be the
chief principals in the purchase, should 1t
be consummated.
They have formidable rivals for the
control OF the ferry, however, in the
North Hudson River Railroad Company,
which is also In touch with the managers
of the ferry, and an eager contest for the
possession of this valuable river frontage
and privileges has begun.
PRIVATE SYNDICATE ACTIVE.
Besides, there is private syndicate
who see large future gains for their in
vestments who are feeling their way.
and only this morning some of the men,
bers of the syndicate approached those in
possession OF the ferry TO discuss the
terms.
The Stevens estate is one of the richest
in Hoboken and in the State, and this
popular and central channel into New
York is one of the most valuable of It's
possessions. A reporter started out
that the Delaware, Lackawanna
and Western r ilroad. with the Central
and Philadelphia and Reading Compan-
les. were negotiating for the purchase of
the ferry
NOT WILLING TO PAY THE PRICE
S. Bayard Dod, one OF The managers OF
the Stevens estate. and director of the
Hoboken Land improvement Company.
denied the rumor that there had been an
actual purchase. He was sure that no
deal of this nature had been consum-
mated, nor had he heard of any likelihood
of such combination. The Delaware,
Lackawanna and Western Railroad Com
| pany were, of course, anxious TO purchase
| the ferry, if possible, but SO far no price
| had been ma NJ ed between the parties, and
! the price was the tifing that kept Them
apart. The company did not want to
| pay as much as the managers OF the es-
| tate asked AT present the North Hud-
son River Railroad Company were after
| the ferry, and he thought it possible that
| they might purchase. Mr.. Dod said that
| only today he had been approached by
| mem bers of private syndicate, who had
asked him to put price on the property.
| This he had not DONE as he thought such
| q matter should come from Colonel h.
| A. Stevens.
When Mr.. Dod was asked what was
| the value that was put on the property.
| he declined to give EN- estimate.
| THE D.. L. AND W. S LEASE EXPIRES SOON.
The Delaware, Lackawanna and West
ern Railroad has had the right OF taking
| it's passengers over the ferry for many
years and inherited it from the Morris
and Essex Railroad when they purchased
the latter road. The company paid Il
lump sum for the right every year The
Delaware, Lackawanna ana Westerns s
lease will expire in April of next year /,
and this has made the directors naturally
anxious to effect purchase. Nothing OF
Importance had. however, been done by
them yet towards settlement.
Mr.. bod spoke as though in his opinion
there was wide margin between what
the company wanted to give and the price
that would be accepted. Mr.. bod ad-
mitted chat Colonel Stevens was willing
to sell but did NOT think that he was
anxious to do so.
OFFICIALS DENY THE RUMoR.
Several prominent officials of the Della
ware, Lackawanna and Western Com
pany were seen this morning. They one
and all declared that they had not heard
of any such combination of railroads for
the purchase of the Stevens Ferry; but
they admitted that the company would
purchase, II it could get the ferry at a
reasonable rate. Each one declared that
| if there was anything in the negotiations.
John H. Starin would be sure to know.
Mr.. Starin, who is connected with the
Transportation Department Of the Della
ware, Lackawapna and Western, and Is
supposed to know everything in connec-
tion with the roads affairs, was seen.
| The reporter asked him'-"Is there any
truth in the rumor that the Delaware,
| Lackawauna and Western Railroad,
either singly or assisted by the Central
and Philadelphia roads, has purchased or
is about to purchase the Stevens Hoboken
ferryW
JOHN H. sTARIN NoN-CoAtMITTAL.
A look of amazement spread over Mr..
| Starn's face. and he said: "What?"
| The question was repeated and he re-
piled: "Oh, nonsense. l don't know any,
| thing about 1t. Why do you come to me
about it!" Then he turned his back and
walked away. He neither affirmed nor
denied the truth of the question put to
| him.
| OIIlC1alS COQueCleu Will Gue ScuLEul
Railroad and the Philadelphia and Read
| ing Railroad were seen and asked about
| the proposed purchase. They all ex-
pressed ignorance of any such transac-
| ton, and did not think it likely that there
was any truth in it.
| 1t was noticed, however, that all asked
| that their names should not be published
| in connection with the rumors.
COLONEL STEVENS ANXIOUS TO SELL.
| A gentleman who is posted on the mat
ter, as he has long been connected with
those VINO are now negotiating with the
| managers of the Stevens estate for the
| ferry, ventured to talk with the reporter
| after q promise had been made that his
name should be withheld from the public.
He said:-''W While perhaps as yet the ferry
| has not been sold, there is little doubt
| that it ultimately will be sold. The fact
| is, that Colonel Stevens is desirous OF sell
| ing. He feels that none of the other heirs
) of the estate will take an active part iu its
| management, aud il anything should hap
| pen to him there void be no one left TO
| manage affairs except Mr.. Dod. The lat
ter has now all he can do with the prest-
| dency Of the street railroad and his direct
orship of the Land Improvement Com
pany. Colonel Stevens. therefore, thinks II
better TO sell the ferry. if possible There
| is no lack of purchasers; the only differ
ence of opinion is the price.
AT LEAST 5000, coo ASKED.
From what / have been told. the
minimum price for the ferry alone Will
he e, 600. 600 aud the maximum 81, 100000
l Il. . l..