The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1894-01-08
FIVE RASCALS Meet.
Contractor Condor Tells Them
Of Their Negligence Mayor
Wanser's Veto.

The Street and Water Commissioners did
not convene until noon today. They did not
act with the same confidence which has
marked their proceedings in the past.
Contractor p. ]. Condor, whose delay in
the matter of the construction of Public
School No. rs cost him more than a thous-
and dollars, in a communication to
the board declared his intention
of suing the city for damages.
Condor secured the contract for the con-
struction Of the big G~reenville which
was to run under the tracks of the Central
and Iehigh Valley Railroads and Morris
Canal. He was to complete the work in
three hundred days, it being agreed
that the city would secure for him the right
of way and prevent any Instructions, which
the above mentioned corporations might
place in his way. The trouble
between the railroad companies and Con-
tractor Condor has been told in THE JERSEY
CITY NEWS. After reviewing his troubles,
Mr.. Condor concludes his communication
with these remarks:
CoNDON'S REASONS.
eth city has in its possession a large sum
of money due to me for retained percentage.
The city has also recently compelled me, in
other work, to pay large damages for delay
in cases where | was not really responsible.
1t is a poor rule that will not work
both ways and | now notify the city and
your Board that | intend to hold you for all
damages and lost of time, and materials
which | have sustained by reason of the
failure of the municipal authorities to OBJ
tain for me the necessary consents so as to
enable me to proceed with the construction
of the sewer, and I also now cali upon the
city for the retained percentage upon this
work as well as $4,000 for pipe laying on the
ground for over a year, which | have been
unable to use through the city's neglect. |
am compelled to pay cash for my goods and
1 cannot see why the city should make me
carry such a burden without REIN bursting
me with interest"
The communication was referred to the
law officers of the city.
permitting the Delaware, Lackawanna and
Western Railroad to lay tracks across
Nineteenth street at Jersey avenue, as am
nounced in THE NEWS, on Saturday, was re-
ceived. In vetoing the ordinance the Mayor
says:
THE MAYORS VETO.
"I herewith return without my approval
the resolution passed by your Board on
December rs, 1898, granting permission to
the Morris and Essex Railroad Company
and the Delaware, Lackawanna n West
ern, its lessee, to lay down, maintain and
use additional tracks across Jersey avenue,
between Nineteenth street and Hoboken
dfeuuts dU x dACt L hLOl 0tO1 III iA1oBSSNlOh
of the viciniry, that said companies now
nave two tracks across said avenue at that
point. | nave been unable from inquiry
made of property owners in the ~Leighbor-
hood and from the companies
to ascertain the history or authority OF the
railroad to use the street at this point.
Originally the main line of the old Morris
and Essex Railroad ran across Jersey avenue
at this point, with two tracks, and thence to
the Erie tunnel. The use of this line, now
ever, except for terminal purposes, was
practically abandoned upon the opening,
some twenty years ago, of the new tunnel
through Bergen Hill, which is reached
through a system of tracks crossing our
streets overhead. Since that time the rail-
road has shifted its tracks across Jersey
avenue on the old line a number OF
times for various purposes. At the present
time there are two tracks crossing the street
near Nineteenth street. A little to the north
there are three more tracks, which are laid
up to the street upon either side but do not
cross, while still further north the tracks
through the chicken freight house
run to the westerly side of the street
but do not cross. Your resolution covers
the middle set of tracks. Jersey avenue is
an important ~thoroughfare between this city
and Hoboken. As the bridges of this COM
pany cross Henderson and Grove streets with
only about ten feet and six inches of head
room, all vehicles with extra high loads
are compelled to use Jersey avenue
where the bridge is much higher. We have
grade crossings enough in Jersey City, and
while others may be forced upon us, the city
should never voluntarily add to the number:
We cannot, in fairness, ask one railroad
in this section of the city to raise its tracks
and permit another to add a grade crossing.
The city should be consistent in such mat
tiers. Moreover, if l can judge from the
surrounding, it is the intention OF
the company to SO arrange
its tracks as to make our street a part of its
terminal yard. To that 1 cannot consent.
While | am willing to grant every facility
to the great corporations which are conferred
in our city, l cannot consent to give up. such
an important street unless the necessity is
more clearly shown than in this case.
"Very Respectfully,
'P. F. WANSER, Mayor"
The veto was filed.
DRIP PANS wANTE
A resolution was adopted requesting the
Pennsylvania Railroad to construct drip
pans under trestle at all street crossings.
AT this i%l1ncture a recess was taken,