The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1893-06-13
RAPID 4RANSIq'S DEATH.
S. and W. Commissioners
Tell Why They Voted
Against the Franchise.
COMPANIES CAN'T PAY THE TAX.
Jersey City, Say They. Will Be
Kept Behind Because of
the Demand.
COMPANIES CAN'T PAY THE TAX.

The impression of the Street and Water
Commissioners is that Jersey City mas
lost her chance OF securing rapid transit.
The action of the Board yesterday In re-
calling the ordinance of the North Hud-
son County Railway Company and tax
ing the ordinances of the Jersey City
Rapid Transit and Consolidated Traction
Companies ont of the hands of the COM
mittee to which they haI been referred
virtually places the rapid transit problem
pack where it was before the question
was agitated.
MR.. DUGAN's STATEMENT.
Commissioner Dugan, who is q rapid
transit enthusiast, in speaking of the
question this morning, said:-
..Those bad citizens from all parts Oh this
city come to me and ask me TO exercise
my influence ana raise my voice against
granting these companies
They argued that our city would never
var and improve like other cities un-
til means were provided whereby the CITY
could be harvested in a short time.
Citizens who are now complaining about
these rapid transit ordinances. came be-
fore our board time and time again. and
almost begged us 10 provide better street
car service, and the minutes of u board
will show that we passed resolutions at
various times requesting the Jersey City
and Bergen Railroad Companies to run
cars oftener. Mr.. Brush. of the North
Hudson County Railway Company, when
asked to pay to the city 5 per cent. of the
gross receipts, said fatty that his CON-
pauy could not afford to do iJ, and that II
no other arrangement could pc effected,
he would. without arguing the matter,
further withdraw the Company's petition.
We held caucus after caucus on this sub
ject. We went over the ground care
fully, and we finally came to the con-
clusion thai the city would be amply
protected by compelling the companies
TO pay 500 per mile for every mile of road
operated. / think Mayor Wanser was
aware of the state of affairs. and l now
further believe that il an adjustment of
the difficulty is not effected and soma re-
duction made in the amount OF percent
age demanded, that this city will con-
tinue TO nave the same morse car service
that it has Today.
HOW THE COMPANIES STAND.
1.-THE Jersey City, Hoooken and Ruth
erford Company will pay 8 per cent, the
North Hudson Company will not, the
Consolidated Traction Company Will not.
and there exists some doubt as to
whether the Jersey City Rapid Transit
Company will pay it. l believe that
rapid transit has received a setback from
which it will not recover in a long time,
if at all.
when it was proposed to operate the
trolley system on Grove street, | objected
AT first, but when saw that a majority
of the property owners wanted 1t with
drew every objection at once."
MR.. COOKS D OF IT.
Commissioner Cook states that the
Jersey City. Hoboken and Rutherford
Company will pay into the city treasury
less money under the 5 per cent. basis
than if 500 per mile were charged.
"We need rapid transit in Jersey City"
said he. ST will improve property and
help our city along. Ii the people, that
is, If the directors are TO be called the
people of our city. still insist upon a pay
ment of 5 per cent. of the gross
receipts for franchises, l don't know
when we will get rapid transit. 1t is an
assured fact that other cities do not have
the trouble we do over matters which
everybody should favor and aid along.
Il this CITY is to have a future rapid
transit must be afforded but such set
backs as the companies received yester-
day ana such opposition as they have
met with on every hand will drive these
corporations out of The city."I
RAPID TRANSIT WANTED.
s'The people OF this city want rapid
transit" said Commissioner Somers, but
when they hear that the cars are to pass
their houses they rise up in a body and
say that they favor rapid transit, but ask
if the cars can't be run down another
street. Jersey City will never, 10 my
opinion. get rapid transit if 5 per cent of
the gross receipts must be paid to the
city for franchises. That is virtually
mortgaging a business. aud business men
don't do that kind of work"
President Madden u Commissioner
Voc are also of the opinion that rapid
transit is a dead issue.