The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1896-05-04
CHEAPER FERRY FARES.
The Board of Freeho1ders
Believe the Act of 1897
Still Holds Good:
THEIR DEMAND TO TIE COMPANIES
A Public Meeting Contemplated
and Litigation Intended to
Determine the
Question.

Question.
1t will be remembered that some time
ago a legal opinion was given the Board
of Freeholders that they had a right to
regulate ferry charges between points in
this county and New York. At first the
idea that the several railroad and ferry
companies Were practically under the
control of the Freeholuers SO far as the
fixing of tolls is concerned was not re-
garded seriously Subsequently the subject
was taken up and rigid investigation of
existing laws made. The result was so
gratifying and full of hope that Director
William Heller appointed Freeholders
Klumpf, Keating, Kenny, Bindernagle
and Cullen committee on ferries. That
committee has held meetings and the
views of prominent lawyers procured: IN
nearly every instance it has been decided
that the Freeholders have the right to re-
The investigation of the law on this i'm
portant subject was brought ABOUT Dy the
action of certain members of the Assem-
bly, during the last session. When the two
cent ferriage bin was introduced the adj
vocates of the measure, and they were
many, were told that additional leg sSia-
tion was unnecessary, that he relief they
sought was obtainable through the Board
of Freeholders.
The law under which lawyers, particu-
larly ex-Jndge Noonan, contends that the
power to regulate ferry tolls is vested in
the F'reeholeers, was passed in 1871. No
advantage was taken of the statute it ap-
pears until 1913 when the Freeholders at
a meeting held on August IS passed an or
dinance fixing rates of ferriage between
this city and New York. For adults the
price fixed was 4 cents and other tolls for
wagons, trucks, horses, live stock and so
on. were established in the same ratio.
existing ferry companies. The courts up
held the ordinance. The case was appealed
to the Supreme Court and the lower court
was sustained in its ruling. To the Court
OF Errors and Appeals the issue was car
ried and not until 1858 was final decision
given. Ii was again in favor of the ordin-
ance.
The right of the several companies to
fix rates to suit themselves appears not
70 have been disputed again and apparent-
ly there was no agitation for reduction
from three TO TWO cents until within the
past few. years. So far as diligent search
reveals the act of 1897 stands it never hav-
lng peep repealed: Ferth,egrm.ore, no de- @
found setting aside its cons stitutionality
or denying. the right Of the Freeholders to
fix rates of ferriage under it.
The Freeholders committee has held
many conferences with prominent law
yers with the result that today letters
were forwarded to the several ferry COM
panles requesting that the following in
formation be sent in to the committee
5s5cEe its next meeting, which is
TRANSPORTATION Of freight and passengers
touching in the County of HUDSON.
The value of ferryboats, docks and
terminal property used in connection
The approximate number of foot pas
sengers carried daily;
The net recsipts derived from the
transportation of passengers and vehicles;
The approximate number. of passen-
gers carried from Hudson county daily.
excluding those who are transferred as
fro f1r.raor n
cars:
The rates of ferriage charged for the
transp portation Of persons who are pas
sengers on railroads or trolley cars and
purchase tickets to New York or else
where;
THE rates of ferriage per capita
charged to any railroad or trolley COM
pany for the transportation of passen-
gers coming in on such rail or trolley
roads:
The present schedule of rates of fer
II any of the companies reply that 1t
is impossible to give the desired infor-
nation IN the time specified an extern
So1ee son 1s to be granted, ed There Is belief
the demand viii be entirely ignored
IT this happens a public meeting is to
pe s called and i1Y any action suggested by
ordinance reducing the serriage to two
cents will be passed and all other tolls
reduced in the same ratio of one-third.
and have the constitutionality of the
old law determined once for all it is to
be arranged to have man or men de-
mand transportation at the price named
in the ordinance. If this is refused a
suit viii be begun in the name Of the
county. Long and expensive litigation
Is anticipated but it is thought by the
F'reehclders that the expenditure will be
approved by the people. because of the
object.
The testing Of the law, even if it does
not bring victory, will at least deter
mine where the people must look for
relief in the matter Of cheaper ferriage,
The question is one which will doubt
less be made an issue this fall on the
Democratic side. The Republican Legis-
lature refused to give it to the people.
and as consequence a Democratic
Legislature would appear to be the only
salvation. Director Heller almost daily
receives letters from people asking him
to rush the matter along.
The FrNeholders also want to find out
how many companies have procured
charters for the operation OF. the new
ferries which have. sprung mto exist
ence in recent years. There lis one in.
particular that is to be looked into and
It Is that one which is said to be run
for the accommodation of New York
sports who frequent the little saMontsS
Carlo" in North Bergen.