New-York tribune., 1905-01-16
INDIGNANT At DELAY.
On'onport and West Chester Want
Trolley Service Reneued.

For some weeks now the trolley service IN Union
port ana West Chester has been cut on By reason
Of the grading OF Westchester-aye ana ravidor+s
OF the two villages anxious 10 learn how long
It VIII be before the service is resumed st,,nidit
or indifference on the part OF the borough autbor
tiles. II is declared has dictated the work of grad
ing and widening the avenue, Just as The TTnio,
Railway Company was ready TO lay its tracks on
the bridge crossing the Bronx River AT West
chester-ave.
II is now nearly eight years since the state
legislature passed measure providing for the
construction OF a bridge over the Bronx River and
the New-York. New-Haven and Hartford Railroad
tracks Year after year the residents or West
Chester and Unionport waited patiently for the
local authorities to give out the contract for the
building OF the two bridges. The subject dragged
along without any action by the borough officials
About a year and a half ago the people OF the
two villages became angered The delay and
several mass meetings were held, which Borough
President Haffen rouudly denounced and at
which il demanded that he at once take up
the building Of the bridge. Mr.. Haffen was asked
10 be present the meetings but remained
dscreetly away He sent some OF his close political
associates TO plead for him. At two OF the meet
ings the gatherings became demonstrative when
Haffens followers attempted to speak for him that
the presence Of the police was necessary TO main
tain order.
IN the agitation it was openly said that at one
meeting Haffens followers packed the hall 10 pre-
vent the adoption Of resolutions condemnng him
10Y MS apparent indifference 20 the needs of the
community. The various meetings had the effect Of
spurTng Haffen into action. and some months later
work the construction OF the bridges was start
eo They finished.
But trolley tracks cannot be laid across them
until Wetchester-ave. IS graded and the approaches
10 the structures are built. The building Of the
bridges was designed 10 give a trolley service into
the village Of West Chester without a change Of
cars Ever since the Union Railway Company has
operated a line 20 West Chester its patrons were
compelled TO leave the cars at Westchester-ave and
walk over the wooden bridge across the Bronx
taVer and on the other side board another car for
Unionport and West Chester. This entaiIed long
waits. and in stormy weather without shelter
passengers were subjected 10 annoyance and dis
comfort
NOW they are without any service whatever. ex-
cept by roundabout route by way Of the West
Farms Road, a trip requiring nearly an hour
longer 70 cover than the direct Westchester-ave.
LlAe Partial rapid transit for West Chester and
Chohport loomed up when the viaduct extension
q lhe subway was opened The yiaduct runs along
" Meslchester-ave 10 the Southern Boulevard and
ffiIrs. Persons who live in the two villages counted
Oh AAAlils the NeSIcneSter-aVe. the South
ern boulevard after reaching that point by means
OF lhe SUBWAY viaduct. The cutting off of the
Nestcnester-ave " line makes this time saving plan
impossible at least for the present J. c. Rodgers
ing OF Nestchester-ave. said last night that II
Wouio require year to complete the job, and that
u Wou4C pe May OF this year least, before cars
could again be run over the avenue.