The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1898-04-12
THE TROLLEY PROJECTS.

THE TROLLEY PROJECTS.
Tuesday was the day fixed for the con
sideration of proposition to permit
trolley company to lay its tracks on thu
roads of Burlington county. In Response
to call for special meeting to discus
the subject, the entire Board OF Free
holders met at the Court House in thu
morning.
The call having stated that the public
was invited to be present and participate
in the discussion, there was large gath
ering of taxpayers, the majority cominS
from the sections through which the roaC
is likely to run.
Freebooter Jones read the report of the
committee to whom was referred the sub
ject on its introduction. The proposed
routes had been reviewed and after a con
ference the committee had decided tc
offer four ordinances. The first referred
to bridges. 1t recited every bridge anc
culvert over which the trolley is to run
38 in all-and provided for division o.
expense between the company and coun.
ty where bridges are to be built. Gull
verts and small bridges to be strength
ened at the expense of the company,
which must also pay one-half the salary
of draW-tender.
The ordinances for the road-beds re.
cited the roads which the trolley proposes
to occupy. The track is to be single, five
feet wide, rails to be in conformity to
rules prescribed by the municipalities
through which the road passes. The
trolley company to keep the road in re-
pair Is inches on each side of the outer
rails. For the first five years no rental to
be charged. For the next FIVE years $25
per mile per year is to be paid, after that
$50 per mile per year. Work to begin
within 80 days after acceptance of con-
tract, the road to be completed in one
year or the ordinance to become null and
void, unless the building is restrained by
an order of the court or by lawsuit. The
county to be rendered harmless from
damage of all nature. Failure to run
cars for 80 days after completion of the
road to give the county the privilege Of
removing the tracks.
After the reading of the ordinances,
Director Mitchell stated that discussion
was in order.
Ex-Freeholder Stewart, of Riverside,
asked a question. He wanted to know
whether the clause in reference to keep
ing the stone roads in repair applied to
those to be built as we'll as those already
constructed.
Freebooter Evans said it was agreed by
the traction people that the ordinance
should apply to all roads in course of con-
struction or contemplated.
Solicitor Chambers said that at the con-
ference between the committee and the
traction company the agreement was as
stated by Mr.. Evans, but there was some
doubt how to get it in the ordinances.
Mr.. Stewart then asked another ques
ton. The $25 or $50 per mile was all
right for the county, but where did the
property owners come in? They had
paid large portion of the expense fol
stone roads. The least that could be done
in justice to those people would be to re-
fund the ten p er cent. thus paid.
Samuel w. Beldon, of Bordentown.
counsel for the Monmouth Traction Com
pany, explained the application of thai
corporation. By the ordinances the rails
will be practically laid outside of road
ways. At Delanco it will be necessary to
run through the middle of the street, but
in that case the company will pave eight
feet on each side of the rails. AS a mat
ter of fact the centre of roads will scarce
ly be touched except in towns, on curves
or in getting to bridges, all of which cases
will be few in number. The offer of this
company is in good faith. The line will
be built and a bond of $4,000 will oe
given for the faithful performance of the
work, if the franchise is granted. AL
that is necessary for the county to do Is tc
tell what is wanted, and the traction
company will meet the proposition.
IS - I'D
if the necessary consent OF 30 per cent. o.
the property owners along the route had
been secured, but no answer was given.
Philip H. Brakley, of Bordentown, en-
tered protest against the traction com
pany crossing the culvert at Mile Hollow
and Horner's bridge, both near Borden.
town. There are steep hills and narrow
approaches to these bridges, and when
heayily-loaded teams are about to cross
they must have roadway free from OBJ
structions, as it was next to impossible tc
stop such a team when once started down
the hill. In busy seasons at least l,OOC
loads of truck for Messrs. Brakley cross
these bridges. The speaker thought the
trolley company should build its own
bridges.
Mark R. Sooy, of Mount holly, said he
did not appear as an obstructionlst, MOI
as the paid attorney for any corporation.
but as the representative of taxpayers
who want fair contract. Certain roads
have been built of stone and the Board Of
Freeholders has maintenance and support
of them which implies the right to use
them for purposes other than travel. They
are the property of all the people. The
franchises in them are valuable, and an
electric railway company is asking fol
them because they are valuable, offering
in return a mere pittance. Statements o.
the business of electric roads show thai
there is an average net profit OF Us, O0O tC
$4,000 per year in their operation. The
Monmouth Traction Company proposes tt
pay this county nothing for the valuable
privilege they seek for the first five years
and almost nothing the balance OF tht
term of the contract. 1t would be CRANE
mistake to grant this franchise perpetu
ally. Nobody can tell how valuable i
may become, and the county ought to re
tain control over it. Limit the franchise
to a term of years and charge lump sun
for it. A trolley road is an encroachment
an encumbrance, danger, and source
of delay. Mr. Sooy repeated Mr.. Brock
question with reference to the filing o
the consent of so per cent. of the proper
ty owners, but it was not answered.
Senator Packer referred to the severa
clauses in the ordinances. One was "worl
to begin within 80 days" "What be
comes of the ordinance" he asked, 81
they do not live up to that clause? |
should become null and void. We do no
want to give any corporation the right tt
hold up line"
Mr.. Beldon replied that the consent 0
each municipality must be obtained OF
the franchise. An injunction or certior
ari must necessarily stop work.
Mr.. Crowell, the new member iron
PALMYRA, again asked if the necessar.
consent of property-owners had been Sc
cured. Notwithstanding this was tn
third time this question was asked,
answer was given.
Prosecutor Budd was the next speaker
His argument was on the line of treatin
the proposition in business-like manner
Mr.. Beldon said the request of the trolle
company was a business matter but i
Mr.. Budd's opinion the request was not {
business nature, as it asked the grantin
of much for nothing. The true bushes
method would be to delay granting an,
privilege to the Monmouth Company III
til it has been discovered what some othe
corporation will give. Would the mem
bers of the Board of Freeholders dispos
of their property to one bidder If ther
was possibility of another man oferin
more for it The county business shout
be transacted with the same care tina
charaeterizes the conduct of the priyat
affairs of members.
A. S. Bullock, of Florence, said Their
had been great deal said about anothe
company, but had anybody heard OF a
offer from second corporation?
This question met with prompt re
Spouse from j. Blair Macafee, who, as
representative of the New York and Phil
adelphia Traction Company, said he wa
prepared to make application for a trar
| chise hafnra this meeting adjourned.