The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1896-12-07
.OBS7RUC7 ELEVATION
Queer Action Of Erie Railroad
Agitationists- Brunswick
Street Vacation

John j. Neyin, Mayor Wanser's secre-
tary, went to New York this afternoon
to confer with the officials of the Erie
railroad on the subject of the elevation
of its tracks in this city from the tun-
mel to the trainshed A final agreement
Is to be arrived at this afternoon, and il
is pfobabie that the necessary cove
nants Will be drawn up and entered into
before the end of the week
Inc agreement would have been signed
some weeks ago, it is said, had not op-
position arisen from the most unexpected
official that two men who have been
bowling loudest and longest for the eleva-
ton of the tracks are the very ones who
nave Tor weeks been combating the i'm
pfoVement from selfish motives. Both
happen to own lots near the railroad
which they acquired recently at ridicu-
lously low prices, and now they demand
rlQlculously high damages.
1t has been question for some time as
to whether it would be possible to pre-
vent the closing up of Brunswick and
Montgomery streets if the tracks are ele-
waited. The companys engineers for a
long time held out for the vacation of
both streets, but TO this Mayor Wanser
would not consent. His objections were
based on the fact that he had been advised
by engineers that Monmouth street could
be left open if Brunswick street were
closed. The Mayor was agreeable to the
closing Of Brunswick street, and every
thing seemed bright for the elevation of
the tracks until the two public-spirited
property owners began to kick. They
objected to the closing of Brunswick
street unless they were awarded
damage which, the company contends,
are excessive. From an engineering
point Of view, 1t is said, it is an utter inn
possibility to elevate the tracks unless
Brunswick street is closed Not wishing
to antagonize any of the interested prop
erty owners the Mayor withheld his ap-
proval from any agreement until assured
that the closing of Brunswick street was
an engineering necessity. He has now
consented to the vacation of the street
and has authorized his secretary to say
to the company's officials that the street
VIII be at their disposal, unless they have
Wlthln the last three or four days dis
covered some plan whereby 1t will be
possible to keep the street open
According to an Orange despatch pub
lshed in this mornings New York .sTrl1b-
une, Mr.. Duncan /. Roberts, General Pas
senger Agent OF the Erie Railway, Is cred
tied with having made the statement that
the management of the company had de-
cided definitely to elevate the tracks and
terminals of the road in Jersey City, to
abandon the use of the tunnel under Ber-
gen Hill to the freight traffic, and to take
the passenger traffic over the top of Ber-
gen Hill by the elevation of the tracks
ana an open cut on the surface. He said
that this solution of the problem of
handling the business of the road had
been forced on the management by the
fact that the extreme limit of accommo-
datlon in the tunnel had been reached.
Mr.. Roberts said the Improvements
would be begun in the near future, and
that the plans were now being carefully
prepared