New-York tribune., 1903-02-09
SlRoAGLl FAVOR A RAILROAD COMMISSION.
SENTIMENT OF NEUv- JERSEY PEOPLE TON fPD
ESTABLISHING ONE rs GROHYNG
GRIGGS FAVORED 1T.
ISoioc. HIhAe Gouernor. He Urged
Legislation for Commission

Trenton Feb 5 SPECIALIZATION asked yesterday
for an expression Of his views on the appointment
q FaiiToad commission for New-Jersey. ex-
Tinted states Attorney General Grisss said that
lie was quite certain that he had spoken of this
matter On At least TWO occasions
II roa viii look up my messages to the New
Jersey legislature in 'Se7 and 1925 he said YOU
VIII ma therein my views upon the subject then.
and they have not been changed by the fact that
tho state is still without such commission
IN lss1. when Nr. Grizgs was the Governor Of
NeV-jersey IN his first annual message to the legis-
iatuTe re took Up the subject of q railroad com
mission and said, In this connection also IL
may not be out Of place Ia say a word about the
preseTVs ton Of citizens from accident at rail
Ny crossings IL small cities and rural neigh
corhoods the dangers great but that
accidents readily can be avoided - the cities
grow IN size. however the dangers increase
cur populations are growing very rapidly. 50 that
i7 Inc large cities, like Newark and Jersey City it
seems imperative that grade crossing ct streets
where travel Is largest should be soon abolished
As other cities grow, the same need viii be ap-
parent III them. The subject Is difficult TO deal
with by specific legislation. but system Of grad
nal and progressive Improvement might be inau-
euTated.
Tt IS doubtful" Governor Ciriggs continued.
whether the Law PASSED last year is adequate TO
compel an unwilling corporation 10 elevate lower
rs tracks II Is quite certain that. or later.
~ shall need body similar to the railroad COM
missions of oDr sister States. in which shall be
posed The power 10 decide when any particular
grade crossing shall he abolished. and the manner
and terms what part Of the work shall each
instance be done by the city and what by The rail-
rlaL company. and also the power 10 regulate the
manner ia which railroads shall the tracks of
ether railroads, and 10 supervise the establishment
os crossings for routes Of railway The great
Segregation Il people that in the next quarter OF
century VIII lave crowded northeastern bor
6=rs near Ne7-- York wilI form q continuous and
connecting system Of towns and boroushs sepa-
rated only by impercepible boundaries. and form
rsrfa.- aarf-1f 1frr1iTz * 1pl
look ahead 70 such Z condition and 70 provide,
as far as possible. that mistakes in the construc-
rlon OF sewers. railways and ether works shall not
he made which viii have 70 be afterward at great
cost corrected.
In his last message 10 the legislature Governor
Grfcss added 20 his discussion Of tho sewerage
question tho following remarks
In the same class Of subjects and OF great i'm
orranc- 70 the public IS the presery alton OF the
safety cf citizens from accidents at railway cross
incs while travelling in railway trains and trolley
cars. 7 recomnended 10 the last legislature that
fhe~ should deal bv specific legislation with this
subject. The present laws seem to be Inadequate
and fnee5 .ient I respectfully refer YOU 10 what
said upon this subject in my last ann1al message
Although Governor GriSgs endeavorcd TO impress
on the legislature the Importance OF proVloiTS some
method in The form Of railroad commission or
something rIze Tor The protection OF the travelling
public by rail nothing then came Of his recon-
-1en5atIou has any adequate step IN the oirec-
+fr1 referred 70 been taken since that time The
q
has -.avv become more impressive and important
Than il was then. recent interviews published
by The Tribune have clearly shown--so clearly IN
<s-t hat further TO delay action this matter
i= almost certain TO be offensive IN large and
growing public sentiment and 70 be rebukeo ny
ne people.
]. was said ia Jersey City yesterday by Demo
- who Is in position 70 make accurate political
statements that nls 5ortE all, OF the Dem
o-rz-fc r7ernbers Of The legislature from Hudson
Comfy =-ere favorable 70 q railroad commission
for NCe7y-Jersey. and that they would vote for d
biz proriding for such a commission. This Is
not z political question from any point Of view,
he said but q question OF doing the Just
and the judicious thing at the right tine notice
That Senator HUdspe1h and ths other Democratic
Senators spoke out quickly and favorabiy in The
Tribune Of the advantages which d railroad CON-
mission would give 10 the State in general and
10 the reople H'ho travel by rail Any one who
cares look into the subject viii learn that the
rI,I-nhe Of people who cross the state of New
Jersey by rail is something enornous. The statis
rics are surprising even in through travel but in
the case N the commuters on the railroads run
ming cut = 1Iew-YoTk 10 suburban towns and VII
lsees. who go and out every day, the amount
cf travail on what are known as the short trips IS
s-uTendous. and makes the average man pause in
wonder and contemplation No State in the Union
50 greatly az New-Jersey needs q railroad COM
mission of coqrSe 5ere @ ne sn 81 etf9Ft ,o MADE sle
mission, for there are Goth Democrats ana Re
never Sc btp introduced in the legislature viii
asking. What Is there in II for
ueT But ! an sure that Governor Murphy may
missioners such able faiT minded and honorable
men Is would be satisfactory 70 the people--sucn
men would be assurance, in TACT 10 the STATE
thai beth the people and the railroad corporations
Mould he sure of equitable and Just consideration
.-No I 90 not approve CT the choice OF the com
ruissioners by & popular vote. Senator 6eoharot
of F7urrerdon County. advocates some people GO
the extremity % idea once II gets hold OF
To some OF them the vote o. the people ana
others the referendum the Only safe meth
DDS u zcNerlrlenI- but believe that the majority
- the people willing 70 lntrust their hl1 ON
Gals - do their duty honestly and patrioticalIy
railroad commission DC appointed hF
he Governor. I he should fail 10 meet the popu-
Ia e1uectatiou-I do not believe he ~oglo-he
YOU'D make the mistake Of his public life The re-
-r9usirttv would be upon him. and not upon the
PEOPLE. With State railroad commission mace
Nf-CzfI or Others Of their known integrity ana
zHElirv and courage. NeTv-Jersey would have a
-rrrrriEsior which would crafty the people ana
should with the approval OF corporations
1Ten rhc name OF Mr. Corbin mentioned il
~rrsTleS that far back 1881 be INTRODUCED
= biII into the House Of Assembly which provided
state railroad commission. but II was not
emitted 70 pass I Is generally believed that
now The subject was newer then. and not only
have the people TO understand y peter. buL
.e 6er1s I'd FOR commission Is infinitely greater
= useless and not pertinent 70 me Irescrt llIIIt
=lre responsible in year and the Democrats In
iroLler for the defeat OF proposed
eycarf a. a reminder that there Is now a PETER
md rsrs ndirlg between the railroad companies aiio
growth 81 the STATE has created q demand where
some years ago there was little more thsh a
sentiment 70 support the lcea and Plan or d Seats
Talro4C c1-lnlSSiur-