The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1895-10-03

EXPLAINED
: IN
Engineer Harrison Talks
About the Boulevard Con-
structlon and Work.
BEFORE THE GOO coo CLUBS.
Says That tho Work Was Hindered
by Legal and Other Pro-
ceedings-Mr. Harrison
Praised.

Praised.
A special meeting of the Good Govern
ment Gu No. / was held lasta nighteat
Areanum Hall for the purpose Of hearing
what Edlow w. Harrison. the Chief En-
| gineer of the new County Road had to
say for himself in regard to the construe-
ton of the road. 1t was nine o'clock
before there were enough people present
to call the meeting to order.
There has been more or less dissatis-
faction among the tax payers of the
county in regard to the Boulevard con-
struction work and Mr.. Harrison had
been invited to appear and explain.
Mr.. Harrison was on hand last night
| promptly at eight o'clock and was in
troduced by President Myron j. Furst.
In the first place, Mr.. Harrison said.
that although the people of Hudson
County had bonded $1,000, 900 for the con-
struction of the Boulevard, yet he did
not believe that there were over one
dozen people who called into his office
to inquire how the road was progress
ing or to get an account of the expendi-
lures. The only people who ever came in
at all to see him in regard to the Boule-
ward were those who had direct business
with him: such as construction work.
men.
The Chief Engineer then Owed into
ancient history, in which he referred to
the year 1860, when "a, 00O,0 0 was bonded
for the construction of a Boulevard
through the county, and after spending
a hundred thousand dollars it was dis
covered that there was a flaw in the
act, and the constructing of the same
was dropped. He then mentioned the
acts of 1875 and 1888, and how they were
| upset by flaws.
Not until the act was passed, he said,
fixing the tax SO that the county at
large would be assessed, was final action
taken. That act only allowed the ea
penditure of 81, 900 for grading and
building of bridges. The property bene-
fitted would be assessed according to
the benefits derived.
CONDEMNATION TROUBLES.
There were 977 cases of property, he
said Including 2,271 city lots consumed.
SiNtyzseven buildings were bought out
right and .17 removed from the line.
They thottgYa that they could condemn
as the city could, but found that they
had to proceed as a railroad corporation.
0niy.sthe railroads could buy outright,
DuC I1Sy cOulQ not.
He said that the Court demanded that
they should find out the owners of the
property to be condemned and that in
volved a vast amour of searching. He
arranged a series of maps and cafeful
estimates of the costs of each road built
on those particular lines and expended
had to be made, he said. owing to pro-
tests, and that involved the spending
GOOD FOR THE LAWYERS.
The legal expenses were S143, 973. 81. OF
that S., sS1 was for searches, S4O,sli Tor
| LSS2.sS for typewriting, $11 366. IS for
condemnation proceedings, etc; $4,526S g
for legal expenses OF appeals; a. 45lSo
for Sheriff fees, court expenses, etc.,
s~l.s7o.sS.
Commissioners amounted to about s6su.a
| hundred and thirty property owners APP
| pealed, and the courts awarded them
$1o9, 444s 8, which was s43; 900 IN to+ excess enso,,O OF
of these cost vas ss55, 764.M with inciden-
tan expenses of s143, s73.S !, which %equalled
| about $142 for each, case. lie consloereu
thae CeATJSEs OF DELAY.
In explaining the delay in the construc,,
ton. he spoke of the fights they naaonnaaai
| that during the first 100 working days the
men had. the county could rot place its
bonds owing to the straits OF the n money ass
niarke Than again they could not crush
stone except from the trust and TIE
quantity they used s5ln was |, 50 fa aafg eno ouai .ae
of Tq the give wo Ghe he he said aid that if ali The
erash heIla ss S}nek that b wo wad b Sss 5'oo Sa FEET Pq long q
| 81 feet wide and 20 feet deep; go
IN constructing The u II, roa n &c sect saaa 'ho Of
,orts Of the road were finished SO much
Sooner than others was because houses
were not rem t6s ho 1 ! e to Be removed
tMhav Started up other seetiona, and OF,
| fen finished them before the houses hao
been esgn yWsTRTaFTcHED SECTION.
He was then asked by the. member
how it was that the road in the BERGEN
section was In sucn a Poo +on dress.
no Had not vet been put on, and that
thev were waiting until the entire road
was completed be before ora dP befor s0i they Would
he able to lay the top dressing. When
| that was on there would be no ruts OF
holes of any kind zoe
very glad that he had had the emporium
Eity to explain the delay and cost Oh con-
Several others then asked him what
bic IDEA Of a GOOD sidewalk would be.
He thought tina about six feet Of as
phalt granolitnie pavement EN- eo,' wfvio he ee sa ID
ese,ld nav for it. as those who used it
s Wno1,ld not be property owners. but the
vast throng of people who would prom,
enade the Boulevard for the want 81 a
seemed to be perfectly satisfied with Mr..
Harrison's explanations. and at the close
thanked him for his address ana con-
eraflilafed him upon his excellent work
1nder the difficulties which he had to
Icontend with.
a9sa9ssss5 ENEMIES OF TREES.
I'D .bssBss 49,
jbD t.GEp4a ora do;pc ON un11e11al amount