New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-12-29
PURCHASE PLAN LIKED.
Considered Easiest Solution to Morris
Canal T'angIe.


The fact that the Newark Board of Trade was
represented at the meeting of the Morris Canal
Commission in Jersey City few days ago excited
considerable comment among those who were
present. The surprise which expressed Imme-
diately after the meeting that the Board of Trade
which II known had taken as great an inter
est If not a greater In the proposed abandonment
OF the Morris Canal and which had led up to the be-
lief that it would be strongly and ably represented
at the meeting Of the commission. was not so repre-
sented. not so general, however, as might have
been expected. after the had been generally
talked 1t recalled by those who were
familiar with the situation that. although the COM
mittee appointed by the Newark Board Of Trade
had prepared and submitted the entire board and
to the citizens report in which, 1t supposed,
set forth the views and desires of the city of
Newark the report not accepted and the
committee was instructed to revise its report
before it presented to the Canal Commission.
1t was also remembered that. although the orig
insl report Of the committee of the Newark Board
Of Trade had been prepared In consonance with
the desires and TO the wishes of certain
corporate interests, well with the expecta-
ton that it would convey to the commission the
cooperative sentiment OF the citizens of Newark,
IL had been opposed by citizens whose influence
with the Board OF Trade commanding, and
had been referred back to the committee for re
vision upon lines in respects quite different
from those Of the original report The recitation
Of these incidents after the meeting OF the COM
mission by those VINO were fdnllar Win tne slt-
uation resulted in the conclusion that the COM
mittee OF the Newark Board of Trade had not
fully completed the revision OF its original report
and that it would be ready to be heard at a SUP
sequent meeting OF the commission. This conclu-
sion later strengthened or confirmed by toe
announcement that the committee Of the Newark
Board OF Trade would submit its revised report to
a meeting of the full board during the present
week The line OF recommendation and argument
which the revised report Of the Board of Trade
7orta
although there was some speculation as 10 the
course which the committee would recommend to
the commissioners.
STATE PURCHASE SUGGESTED.
T, was ct TINS point, whether a coincidence or
otherwise is as yet, and must for the present re-
| main matter of theory. that TO one of the re-
| marks of William H. Corbin, as counsel for the
Morris Canal and Banking Company and for the
Lehigh Valley Railroad Company the lessees of
the Morris Canal, attached by those who had
| heard this remark peculiar significance BY
some il regarded because OF the existing rela-
| tons between the railroad company and the Public
Service Corporation portrayed tn the original re-
| port Of the committee OF the Newark Board of
| Trade as being il: measure inspired by advance
| information OF coming events. The remark made
! by Mr. Corbin was the effect that the more care
fully he studied the matter at issue 0he abandon
ment of the canaD the more he became convinced
| that the problem never would be fully and satls-
faetoriy solved until the State exercised its power
| OF eminent domain. The suggestion OF State
ership involved In this remark was. by what to
! some seemed to be a striking coincidence. made
| the more interesting. If not the more probable. as
the ultimate desire and intention Of the essees of
the canal and all the other corporate interests, by
! the inquiry of Senator Gebhardt TO whether the
/ Morris Canal and Banking Company and the les
sees would dispose of their property to the State
for S. 10000 that being the estimated value of the
| promptness with which Mr.. Corbin had replied to
/ 10 make Won a handsome Christmas present be-
| sides" stimulated in measure what had at first
been only suggestive into belief upon the part Of
some of those who discussed the matter that State
ownership of the canal would be the easiest and
course would be satisfactory than any other.
Which op pc to be from the Burdens Of the
canal under existing conditions, but also to those
whether the citizens of Newark. who virtually
gest TO the commissioners through their Board of
| Trade the solution OF the problem through State
: ownership one who discussed the matter seemed
TO be prepared to say but the opinion was ex,
presseG tnaI by bs tn SGsI Of b
State, and probably by the individual owners OF
yidfng for the abandonment OF the canal that ever
had been presented to the legislature.
QUESTION OF COMPENSATION.
Going further into the discussion while the prev
| alent opinion appeared to be that State ownership
Of the canal might safely be regarded as the most
practical solution of this question OF the abandon
Inen OF the canal opinion was widely divided upon
the compensation which the State would be willing
TO pay for the canal property. 1t was seemingl
agreed quite unanimously that the state as the
owner of the canal would be In a better position
to make settlements than the canal company. and
that those interested would be better content to
leave these settlements in the hands OF the State
than at the disposal OF a corporation. By il
/ was contended that the State could dispose OF
the canal property in parts or lots 10 the corpora
tons which might wish TO pursnase certain sections
of IL that the cost to the State would enable it
deal literally and satisfactorily with the individual
property owners al Lake Hopatcong and Greenwood
had made investments in the Musconetcong Valley
/ This opinion carried with IL the prOviso that
! price paid by the State for the canal property
should be reasonable, so reasonable, In fact that
! traitor the result of its ownership and at the
time be able TO dispose Of the with
out any loss 10 tho State. possibly by the
! ing of a permanent fund TO be known Canal
upon the receipts which the purchasers of certain
parts OF the canal for trolley or other PURPOSES
should receive or by deposing therein the rrfce of
purchase outright Tor single or several State pur-
/ poses.
In order 20 determine or fix the cSrnpensstio, a.
/ argued that, upon agreement uroDe-i,
made between the state and the canal company Il
| would be feasible Tor the legislature reaDDoint
with the approval of the Governor, either The Drcs
ent commission or q new one 20 mako
appFals OF the value Of all the properties I'm
elsewhere and OF the value OF the canal proDertV
IN its present condition to the Morris Canal
| Banking Company and the Leigh Valley Railroad
Company. and upon such appraisement q repOrt -
the conditions end price upon which State owner
ship Or the canal property should be contaminated
PLAN GENERALLY APPROVED
The discussion OF this method OF procedure toward
The settlement or the complicated Interests as re-
lated 10 the abandonment Of the canal went far
efeid By some It was held that many compIica-