The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1896-09-08

the surface. new sewerage and outlets
would have to be provided; The lowest
feet above tide Such a proceeding,
though possible, do not consider prac-
ticable or expedient in view of the meas
ufe of public safety, convenience or neceS-
siry involved In the avoidance of grade
crossing. The grade crossing of the ave-
nue. would be avoided, but only by re-
location of the Greenyille and Hudson
Railway, the practical destruction of
Communipaw as business or residence
street for several blocks and dam
avenue and side streets. and after coming
up to grade at the Central Railroad the
avenue would still be crossed by the Ma
tionai Docks Railroad at grade as now.
T. therefore, must conclude that no
change of location of the Greenville and
Hudson Railway would have helped the
sonable or practicable method for avoid
ing grade crossing.
In conclusion it it my opinion that the
Greenville and Hudson Railway cannot
yards in any manner sanctioned BY good
engineering, reasonable economical rail-
road management, and without enormous
loss CT value on the usefulness of the
terminal yards and the railroad ap-
proach, to avoid grade crossing OF
Communipaw avenue, except by a change
ing street, involving loss and permanent
damage, direct and consequential, to the
public at large and owners In the vicin-
4ty, entirely out of proportion to the adj
and owners by the avoidance of the grade
crossing proposed, or by grade crossing
of the Newark or New York Railroad.
While the above is true as to the whole
width of the street and the entire traffic,
both on foot and by vehicles, there is
no engineering or practical difficulty to
of Communipaw avenue under the grade
crossing of the Greenville and Hudson
Railroad should it be made,
two "a arched subways with clearance Of
eight feet, lined with white brick and
approached by stairways on either side
of the new railroad. The room outside
to admit Of this. stirways being made
easily and the whole structure being
built within the abutting property lines
These subways would remove very
large percentage of that public risk and
danger apprehended as result of a
grade crossing Of the street.
have given nearest round figures above
tide or near high water.
1 attach to the report a profile showing
line of the Greenville and Hudson Rail-
Jersey to the terminal yard, with the
grade as adopted, in red. The grade re-
ferred to by men as crossing the Newark
The grade as it would be il an overhead
crossing of Communipaw avenue were
made, in green.
When the report was ordered spread
on the minutes, that from Chief Engineer
w. W. Ruggles wes presented. 1t was as
Chief Engineer Ruggles finds that 1t
will be impossible to cross under said
avenue without creating grade crossings
road and Central Railroad, and that it
will be impossible for the Greenville and
Hudson Railway Company to- in the line
nue. overhead without greatly depressing
the present grade of the avenue, neces-
stating a crossing of the National Docks
overhead, and reach it's terminal on any
giles, has been unable to discover any
means save that of a grade crossing of
Communipaw avenue whereby the Green
vile and Hudson Railway can. make any
connection between its present construc-
ton and the terminal.
Complying with an invitation from Pres
ident Brown for any property owner to
express his views, Mr.. George T. Record,
representing many owners near the pro-
pose crossing, said IN substance, after
analyzing the Mayors veto, that the
crossing at grade was unquestionably in
his .opinion for the benefit of the whole
city. The Mayors objection was based
on general policy and public safety, but
the whole question was for experts, and
not laymen to decide. On the ground of
public policy the crossing should be ad-
mitted so that the Lehigh Valley Road
could get freight into its yard where it
lines in the city the better, and when
once here tax them as other property
AS for public safety, Mr.. Record said
that to make the Lehigh Valley cross the
avenue in any other way than at grade
meant that it cross at grade the two rail-
roads, Newark and New York and Cen
tral Railroad, and that notwithstanding
the block system the public might be
treated to another Atlantic City disaster
Between a dangerous crossing over two
busy railroads and a crossing over a lit
hesitate. He urged that the veto be not
sustained.
Mr.. Robert o. Babbir, also representing
property owners, was in favor of the
the city in a few years would be devoted
to railroads and manufactures AS resi-
dental place lower Jersey City was
doomed: 1t was PUBLIC policy to admit
city's treasury by taxing them. The opin-
ions of the two engineers that crossing
in any other manner than at grade was
impracticable and dangerous ought to in
fiuence all fair-minded people. The COM
pany ought to be permitted to reach its
yard
A young resident of Communipaw ave-
nue. was the next speaker, and he said
that those who had opposed the crossing
had seen the error of their views and
were now in favor of it and were anxious
to take off their names from the rernon-
STRANGE which they signed. He believed it
would benefit Lafayette, bringing in more
people and filling their deserted houses
and bringing back trade.
The Commissioners listened to these
views, and then without taking any ac-
tion dived into routine business.
MANGLBD ON The RAIL.