Bridgeton pioneer., 1896-08-13
BOARD OF PRBEHOLDERs.
Special Meeting to Consider the Bridge
Matter.

A Special Meeting to Consider the Bridge
Matter.
The Board of Freeholders held a specia1
meeting Wednesday at the Court House.
The meeting had been advertised for the
purpose of considering the application of
'ne traction Company for the privilege
OF crossing the Broad street bridge, with
trolley ears.
All members were present at ten o'clock
together with a number of interested citi-
zens.
Director Harris was in the chair when.
the meeting was called to order.
After the roll CALL the minutes of the
last meeting were read and approved.
After the petition Of the Traction Co.
filed at it's last meeting had been read.
W. Ell. Bacon, Secretary and Treasurer of
the South Jersey Traction Company,
made an address. He said that he had
made so many speeches before the Board
OF F'reeholders that it seemed unnecessary
to say but little.
he briefly and concisely reviewed the
history of the trolley road in this city to-
gether with the operations of the road be-
tween this city and Millville.
This was the third time the Traction
Company was before the Board asking to
cross one of the city bridges, that car SER
vice might be given to all the city rather
than portion of the town.
He said frankly that the business of the
Company was bad. In fact the Company
was not paying interest to bond holders,
and the position of the Company was that
it was ready to cross the bridge if it
should be allowed.
While the Company was operating the
Atlantic street line, the operating ex-
penses were 81 per day, and the receipts
$3.50 per day.
City Council of Bridgeton wanted the
cars on Atlantic street; wanted the COM
pany to either run the cars or take up the
tracks. The Company was in this posi-
ton. 1t would cost just as much to take
up the track as it would to cross the
bridge. AS an officer of the Company he
was not presen to urge the Board to grant
the application. 1t was a matter that
was entirely in the hands of the Board.
Mr.. White, representing the Third
ward people, said that the people wanted
the trolley to cross the bridge and he
hoped that the trolley would be allowed
to cross the bridge.
Court Crier Clevenstine, and Frank
Eggman, Atlantic street residents,
strongly urged the Board to permit the
Company to cross the bridge.
Frank Pennell, Trustee of the South
Jersey Institute, Third ward resident
and prominent business man, advocated
very strongly the trolley for the Third
ward.
VIM. o. Garrison made a very good
argument in favor of the trolley crossing
the bridge. Mr.. Garrison called atten--
ton to the fact that the Third ward was
paying One-tenth of the entire taxes of
the county, and yet there was not a car
wheel turning in this important part of
the city.
B. B. Elwell, president of the Agricul-
tural Society, thought the trolley should
enter the Third ward, and knew it was
great benefit to the organization he rep
| resented.
r believed it was better to allow the
cars to cross the bridge than to allow
them to stand on either side. He wanted
the Traction Company to use a flat rail
across the bridge. Mr.. Elwell was firm
of the opinion that street cars helped the
city, and what helped the city necessar-
lily helped the farmer.
Sheriff ShinD, large property holder
of the Third ward, was very favorable to
the trolley service, and urged the Board
to grant the permission.
! The discussion took general turn, and
then Mr.. Harris offered the following
resolution:
"ResolUed, That the Bridgeton Rapid
| Transit Company, and its lessor, The
South Jersey Traction Company, be per-
| mitted to locate, construct, operate and
maintain street railway over and across
the Broad street bridge, Bridgeton,
operated by the overhead trolley system,
| for the period of five years. That the
| Company shall lay two flat rail tracks,
and the construction shall be under direc-
| tion of the Committee appointed to build
the Broad street bridge, and the petitioners
| shall provide for an electric current for
| an electric motor to operate the draw of
said Broad street bridge"
Mr.. White moved the adoption of the
| resolution.
After some debate Mr.. Harris withdrew
his resolution, and on motion of Mr..
Leach the Company was granted permis-
sion to cross the bridge with single
track road, subject to restrictions to be-
imposed hereafter.
1t was then ordered that committee
of five be appointed to prepare restric-
tions and conditions upon the company,
and submit the same this afternoon. at
1.30 o'clock.
The Board then adjourned.