New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1901-10-06
ON THE JERSEY CENTRAL
WHERE MANY COMMUTERS
FIND PLEASANT HOMES.
WELL DEVELOPED SUBURBAN TOWNS
CARING FOR THOUSANDS WHOSE
BUSINESS Is IN NEW YORK.

The several lines of the Central Railroad of New
Jersey play important part in making up the
complicated network OF railroads which covers the
upper part of the State and make it most populous
On every working day the road brings thousands or
business men and women to the island which is
not large enough to provide them with homes
although 1t affords them opportunity to make the
money with which 10 keep up establishments in
New-Jersey. Most of the commuters live on the
main line of the road between Somerville and Jer-
sey City. with Plainfeld and Elizabeth furnishing
the largest delegations. Then there is the line
which goes down the coast, through Perth Amboy,
Eatawan and Red Bank, until it strikes the ocean
beach at Long Branch. These trains fairly
packed with commuters in the summer months, but
the number of ll-theyearrounders has been stead
fly increasing for the last five years, and is now
considerable factor
The commuters who hold the pink monthly tickets
issued by the Jersey Central not radically
different from other New-Jersey commuters They
carry bundles, kick against the railroad. run for
their trains in the morning, and each thinks that
the particular in which he lives is far ahead
OF any other in the mosquito State. They well
acquainted with each other and manage to liven up
the daily trips and from the city in various ways
They used play cards, but they do not do so any
more and thereby hangs a tale.
Two Plainfeld who came over on an early
ferry afternoon this tried TO hold seats
for their whist partners who were coming later
The filled up and there were more
Two commuters who live in a ne.ghboring
town, who do not play cards. insisted taking
the which the card players were holding. After
a few volleys of words had been exchanged there
a fight, which the trainhands stopped with
difficulty Later on there was an arrest on the
charge of assault and one of the had TO pay
fine. But in the mean time the fight in the car had
been reported the traffic officials and the order
went ont that card playing would no longer be
allowed on the trains of the Jersey Central. or
course. the company could actually force the
passengers put up their cards. but 1t could and
did prohibit the baggagemen from furnishing
boards on which to play. The baggagemen sor-
rowed for il meant serious loss Of personal rev.
enue A few commuters who had been playing cards
on the trains for years tried carrying card packs
and folding boards in their pockets. but IT was too
much trouble, and card playing has practically
ceased.
Most OF the committing places on the Central are
well developed suburban towns. with water and
lighting systems of their own The commuters fnd
them comfortable places in which 10 live and raise
their families 1t IS said that there is not Lonely
Vile" on entire road. although several of the
smaller towns have made-to-order appearance
which Is suspicious.
You won't find a happier lot Of commuters about
New-York than Central crowd" said Somer-
VILE man to Tribune reporter a few nights
''Of course, happy. and for several reasons
Take the way in which most of the towns have de-
veloped the club idea. There is hardly place that
does not support clubhouse OF some kind and the
bigger towns like Plainield. have two three.
This suburban club idea has done more TO make
commuters happy than any other one thing that
OF. 1t makes the social lie or a Sn1ali pace
spirited and interesting There is always some place
10 go when you get tired staying at home and do
feel in the humor for calling your nsighbors
The clubhouse is always open and e friends arrive
Unexpectedly you take them there TO dinner.
The club gives several dances month during the
season, which pleases the young people and IL one
wants TO entertain the club be secured for the
purpose. It is not very expensive. this club MEM
bership, and 1T solves many OF the problems that
used trouble us seriously"
The towns along the beach from Asbury Park
to Long Branch have long been known as summer
resorts. but il is only within the last few years
that they have been considered seriously perma-
nent places OF residence for the committing class
OF their summer ctions there is doubt. and
the who 1--we there think that the winter is
just fine. The weather is usually mild. and, Of
course, the summer crowds wanting
which is not altogether disadvantage The COM
mutation trains are high speed. and il takes
only little over an hour to get to the city. Long
Branch and Asbury Park have the largest number
OF regular commuters but Elberon. Deal Beach and
Allenhurst are rapidly building up with substantial
homes. which kept open every month in the
year. Red Bank Matawan and the Amboys
muters call home
Lakewood. winter resort in the Jersey pine
forests. has just opened for another season and
will shelter more commuters than ever this year
OF pine forest weather and at the same time have
the one subject Of conversation among Lakewood
commuters. who interested in the game that
with snow.
On the main line the first big committing town is
Bayonne which sprawls out on the shore OF Newark
town than has Jersey City for several trolley lines
connect the town with the ferry terminals The
And commuters are numerous In proportion to the
population. the commuters are sadly in the minor
whose tickets read to Eliza beth. the town is like
Which does not commute It is pretty place in
spite Of its streetcars and general tendency to
Then comes series of towns which are very
much alike-Rcselle. Crawford. Westfeld and Fan
town and the few buildings devoted to business
cluster around l. The shops are not pretentioas
of the city. Many OF the commuters have car
RACES %aae fer mem we 'sg tons during
the rush hours is striking -Westield has reputa-
women than any other Of its size in the subur-
Then comes Plainheld which is twenty-four miles
out, and has regular daily delegation Of one thou
nished by the company The people who live in
Paintield believe that IL the pretiest town IN
Sashon Which gives the opportunity for many
striking residence positions Rows of ancient trees
town has the added dignity Of age. The streets
stance Every hol:se IS detached and surrounded
with or less lawn, which is seldom fenced IN
brick which any architect might be proud of:
plaster houses. which used 70 be popular: big,
look al. but which must make comfortable homes
OF course Plainield has its society; WHICH is we'll
divided into sets apd ciiques. The F, r. Ps-Ffrst
be exclusive The lines We're more closely drawn
before golf jumped into favor Now they have
rival GOLF clubs. but tournaments and the subse-
quent golf hops bring the members tGsether las,
the Park Club. and both have arranged series
anartnent house mountains from the Harlem to
Twenty-third-st. may. scott all they please at their
latter do not really mind. for they nave nearo
+1,a. haOi Sphg