The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1897-04-15
RAPID TRANSIT At LAST
Hoboken Common Council Gives
the North Hudson The Right
to Use Electric ity In
That City.

For over FIVE years the application OF
the North Hudson County Railway Conn
pany for permission to operate trolley
cars on its various lines iii Hoboken has
been before the Hoboken Common Coun-
Gil. The franchise was rsot granted un-
til last night.
The Councilmen met in the City Hall,
ond after concurring on the matter they
passed the franchise on its final reading.
The granting OF the privilege marks the
close of a long and vigorous fight for
rapid transit which has been waged by
the citizens of Hoboken on one hand and
the Railroad Company on the other. The
cause of the delay rested on both parties.
The people demanded that the conn
pany should pay the city for the privilege
or reduce the fares on the cars. This
the company fatty refused to do, and
consequently the Council delayed action.
Public hearings were held, on the ques-
ton, and the opinions of the citizens were
invited. With the exception Of two or
three of the speakers at the meetings,
all were in favor of securing considera-
ton from the railroad company before
the franchise be issued. Still, the COM
pany refused to make such an agree
nlent. It's representatives claimed that
the company was under financial dif1-
culties and could not pay the city any
thing.
The hearings were opened again last
night, but as no person appeared who
wished to express his opinions the fran
ehise was passed free of cost. The only
member who voted against it was Coun-
Gilman Steil.
Over six applications were made by
the company for the franchise at differ
ent times. The last one which was
passed, was presented on March "a, this
year. 1t also permits the company to
construct a trolley road through Clinton
street and Willow avenue. The new
branch road will penetrate the entire
westerly portion of the city, which is
sparsely settled, and will be of great i'm
portance in developing the property.
The company has agreed to equip the
lines with the most improved system.
The new lines will be put in operation
as soon as wires can be strung.
IAN ordinance to regulate the use of
cyclers," was passed by that title. The
nature of the ordinance could not be
learned, as It will not be drawn up until
branched off on the question Of a new
water supply.
Chairman Oferman said that the Wa
ter Works Department was procuring
rapidly with the work or laying new wa
ter mains on River street. Heretofore
the Hoboken Land and Improvement
Company, which owns mains along the
river front, has been supplying the steam
ship companies from their pipes. The
city is DESTROYS of using IT'S own pipes in
that section. as In the event of any
other company securing the water CON
tract the Hoboken Land and Improve
ment Company might cut off the city
from using it's pipes. and. therefore, the
steamship companies would be compelled
to purchase their supply Of water from
the Hackensack Water Company.
To prevent any such occurrence a
large force of men have been employed
by the city to lay new mains along the
river 'front.'. The new mains will be con-
nected with the city pipes In Hudson
street.