New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-02-05
TROLLEY FRANCHISES IN NEW-JERSEY.


A few months ago The Tribune commented on
the agitation in Union County, \. j., to have the
county build a trolley-lne between Elizabeth
and Plalnfed with the intention OF leasing 1t
ut n rental sufficient to cover all the cost of
construction. The idea Of county ownership
was first suggested through consideration of
ways and means 10 prevent the destruction OF
one Of the finest roadways in county noted for
its good roads. People wanted and still want,
the trolley, and yet TO lay double track on
Westfedave. rs it now Is would Involve prac-
ticay the ruin OF the avenue. Then 1t was
that Frank Bergen came forward with MS
scheme He proposed that the avenue should
be wldened by adding to It enough ground for
the trolley tracks and ut the same time proyld-
Ing for n bicycle path This work, according TO
the Bergen plan. was 10 be done by the county,
and the trolley road. when completed, leased at
n yearly rental guaranteed to pay the interest
on the construction bonds and redeem them az
maturity This proposition rather stunned the
conservative, easygolng burghers' who had
come to look upon franchises as valueiess things
TO be distributed as gifts. Naturally there was
opposition from interested parties, but besides
these many taxpayers were fearfu that Mt.
Bergens roseate expectations would not ne
realized and that they might be called upon
to foot heavy bills in the near future. 80 the
matter rested for awhile; one element mean
while kept up its demand for transit accommo-
dations between Elizabeth and Plainield, while
the other insisted that Westield-ave must be
wldened without expense to the public. At this
iuncurc John Kean offered the County Board
of Freeholders 100000 for the franchise. In
his letter TO the Board Mr.. Kcan makes these
statements:
IN q ronort made on November 80 last by q
committee OF citizens to meeting held at the
courthouse II appears that the cost OF widening
Westield-ave from Sayre-st; In the CITY OF l,iiz
abcth 10 Watchung-ave. in Plainfleld would De
about 100000. II the avenue can be wldened
for about that sum I think It is very important
that the work should be done at once. as II VIII
be manifestlv impossible to do so except at great
cost after n few years . . II the avenue can be
widencd and a street railroad constructed on IT,
substantially according to the plan reported by
the committee to the meeting IN November, IL
would be a very great benefit TO Union County
and the benefit would be derived az once am
not in favor Of the construction or a street rail-
road by the county but l believe the avenue
should be widened and a street railroad con-
structed on II at the expense OF some person or
company willing to undertake the work.
No matter whether the Freeholders accept Mr..
Keans offer or adopt Mr. Bergen's plan. 1t IS
reasonably certain now that there will soon be
n trolley between Elizabeth and Plainfield that
It will be built without infringing upon West
feld-ave and that bicycle riders Will have
path for themselves-all without any cost to the
taxpayers And as this offer Of Mr.. Kean's Is
a new departure on the part Of street railroad
magnatcs asking for franchises, It is likely 70
mark the doom of the old policy OF giving away
those franchises without substantial compensa
ton to the public.