The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1902-03-22
ARLINGTON ROAD
Good Government Club Re
plies to H. F. Tor
rey's Interview.
The Good Government Club Of Airing
ton, N. J.

The Good Government Club Of Airing
ton, N. J.
Arlington N. j., March 81, 1902.
Editor Jersey City News
Sir-Afy attention has been called to an
interview with Mr.. H. F. Torrey in your
issue of March 10, headed Arlington
Road" From that I learn that a pro-
posal has been made to improve the old
road from the Newark Turnpike to
Bellevile Bridge" Mr.. Torrey's apparent
advocacy of the route named is especially
surprising as he recently united his eff
forts with mine to secure the improve
ment of a different route. The two routes
are identical in crossing the meadows to
Schuyler avenue, but not beyond that
point I have no objection to the i'm
provement of the road over the hill to
Belleville Bridge, and I eoncede that it is
the shortest route to that point. 1t could
be made still shorter by deep cut or a
tunnel, but l have supposed the purpose
of a pleasure drive was enjoyment rather
than getting to given point in the
quickest time. For the latter purpose a
railroad train is better The Belleville
Bridge road is narrow, with high banks,
and on the western incline is steep. 1t
can neither be graded nor widened ex-
cept at great expense, if at ALL
These facts were noted in my remarks
ON presenting to the Board of Chosen
Freeholders the petition for the Schuyler
Midland avenue route on December 5,
1901 The latter route is incomparably
more attractive. It proceeds southerly
along Schuyler avenue, giving a broad
and elevated view across the meadows;
thence westward through the main street
of Arlington to the top of the hill at
Belgrove Drive. From this point it de-
scends through South Midland avenue by
easy grades and reversed curves, shaded
by beautiful row of trees all the way,
to the Passaic River Road. This slope is
retired and rural and the whole route is
a most enjoyable drive.
An objection formerly made to macad-
amizing the Passaic River Road was that
there was no good road between it and
East Hudson After we had secured that
Improvement it seemed to me the missing
link should be supplied, giving our friends
beyond the Hackensack a pleasant route
from the Hudson Boulevard to one of
the most beautiful drives in the State.
suggested the plan to Mr.. Freeholder
Caparn, who heartily approved it. made
a
owners of more than two-thirds of the
frontage l submitted the plan to the
State Roads Commissioner, who approved
it. thus indicating that when officially
presented State aid could be had. In
offering the plan to the Freeholders
noted that East Hudson, having probably
fifty carriages to our one, would be the
chief gamer by this smoothing of the
way. I said this in good faith and fully
believe it. East Hudson needs this outlet
and would greatly enjoy 1t.
Good roads pay. The Passaic Road was
built two years ago. Last year the county
added nearly half million to Kearny's
tax assessments and raised our county
tax from s24,527 to s27.
Bad roads are poor economy am
treasurer of company manufacturing
metal goods in New York. We have been
seeking a factory site. A property owner
in Arlington made US a liberal offer TO
locate on Schuyler avenue. brought our
officers out to look over the ground. The
only objection they made was that the
road was poor and. unsuitable to carting
our materials and products to and fro.
The same owner made like offers to two
other companies neither of which accept
ed. A factory is now being erected for us
in Essex County. Schuyler avenue is an
inter-county road and the county should
care for it. BY not doing SO the county
lost an opportunity to add to its rata
bles and population.
The Arlington Cemetery Association had
nothing to do with originating the plan
1 have described. but, at my instance,
assisted in obtaining signatures on the
petition and in presenting the same to the
Freeholders. The many patrons Of the
cemetery in both Hudson and Essex
would be greatly accommodated by the
Improvement and that, It seems to me,
should not be an objection. but very
strong inducement to do the work.
The road is not an expensive one to put
in order and. with crushed stone so near,
the cost should be very low State aid
can be had, but application for it should
be made very soon. Hudson County may
well avail itself of the State Road fund
while it is going
j. ALBERT STOWE,
President Good Government Club.