The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1898-02-05
PAGAN'S SWITCH.
Conference Today Between
Directing Citizens and
Representatives of
the Company.
TERMS OF A NEW AGREEMENT
No More Objections Will Be Filed
Because of the Con-
cessions Made.

Mr.. William d. Edwards. counsel for
the Pagan Iron Works, Company. today
effected a settlement of the differences
between the property owners in the
n~eighborhood of Fourteenth and Mon
mout hstreets and the company relative
to the laying Of a switch from the Erie
Railroads Weehawken Branch to the
c~ompany'ss works. A public hearing was
to have been heard in the Aldermanic
Chamber at ten o'clock, but after the in
terested persons had talked the situa-
ton over they concluded that a hearing
Q be unnecessary. The subject was
discussed in the private office of the
Street and Water Board. All the mem
bers were present. Mayor Pagan was
ais on and So were Andrew j. Corcor-
an, John Casey, Counsellor w. n. Speer,
Jr., and M. r. Connolly.
The company proposes erecting a large
plant on the meadows, at Monmouth and
Fourteenth streets. In order to compete
with similar enterprises in New York
and neighboring cities it was found nee
essary to have Increased railroad facili-
ties which would do away with consid-
cradle expense trucking. When the com
pany decided to locate its plants in the
meadow lots which it had improved, prop
erty owners were joyful. The moment the
company asked a favor some of the
property owners who are not vitality in
terested raised a howl and finally created
some opposition.
1t was originally planned to have a
spur run from the Weehawken branch of
the Erie across Fourteenth and Fiji
aa3,f 81 ,af 80 ~u~lz T = $500
that the plan as mapped out would al
low the company to use what may some
day become a portion of the sidewalk of
Monmouthsstreet. The original ordinance
was Withdrawn and a new one presented
whic ibid away with every objection rails
ed by the protestants.
1t went further, making concessions
which We're not asked for. Again objec-
tons were raised and a few days 6
a stormy meeting was held before the
Street and Water Board. The upshot of
it was an agreement to. have a hearing
today. 1t was commended at the last
meeting taht a shorter curve, which
wuold take up very little of Monmouth
street, than the one suggested by the
company, could be operated. Mr.. Ed
W "A hcPatSo tAF Jill SiiOi Giio Z
Van Keuren decided against MI. Edwards.
Today, however, he was Unable to estab-
fish his claim and an amicable adjust
ment followed. =
One great objection raised was that
the iron works switch would shut out
any other enterprise north of that place
from getting d switch. Mr.. Edwards and
Mayor Pagan declared at once that they
wished to encourage enterprises to locate
in that part OF the city. They said
they would welcome new indus
tries and would raise no iobjec-
tons to any concern using or con-
Meeting with their switch. if such con-
GERMS using or connecting with it would
bear their part of the Expense of keeping
it in repair.
This declaration astonished the protest
ants. They We're knocked out completely
when Mr.. Edwards volunteered to insert
a clause to that effect in the agreement
for the switch between the city and COM
pany.
It was finally agreed that the branch
from the Erie tracks shall be laid from
the connecting point at Fifteenth street
diagonally across Monmouth street at
grade. thence into the works at Four
tenth street. The property owners ave
also consented to allow the company to
1ay9and maintain several sidewalks which
will greatly facilitate the handling of
freight.
In accordance with the agreement ar
rived at. Mr.. Edwards will on Monday
next present a new ordinance to the
Street and Water oBard. 1t will be passed
as soon- thereafter as practicable. No
more objections will be filed.
Michael 7. Connolly, an owner of three
fourths of the property in the ~neighbor-
hood of the switch. says the location of
the iron works there will nhance va1ua-
tons and make houses up that way COM
mand better rents.