The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1906-03-13
TROLLEY
MEETING
The Morris County Traction
Conpany's Plans for its
Road Scheme.
LARGE MEETING OF CITIZENS

The rooms of the board of aldermen
were not large enough to hold all who
attended the public hearing on the
application of the Morris County Trac-
tion CO., for trolley franchise on
Speedwell avenue last w ednesday even
ing. As a consequence, after the
meeting had been called to order and
the ordinance read for information,
the meeting adjourned to the hall Of
!. the Y M. G. A., which also was filled.
Ex-Judge Cutler, counsel for the
company filed the proofs Of publica-
tion and posting Of notices. also con-
sents for s, 1886 feet of a abutting prop
erty out of total of about $4,000,
stating that he had more at his Office,
which would be filed later. He also
stated that the company would pay
the expense not to exceed 800 for an
investigation of the consents.
Alderman Rutan presented an ordi-
nance submitted by the company
which was read. 1t provides for a
franchise for term of fifty years,
with the privileges of renewal for an
other fifty years on terms to be agreed
upon. In case the town and company
cannot agree upon terms, arbitrators
can be appointed, but the company
may remove its tracks and other con-
struction if it does not care to accept
41a< fra ;, otico
A tax Of two per cent. Of the gross
earnings of the line for which the
franchise is asked for the first fifteen
years of the franchise three per cent.
for the second fifteen year period and
four per cent. for the balance of the
life of The franchise. But all taxes or
other assessments are to be deducted
from this amount.
Rails are to be steel side-bearing
girders, laid with the upper surface
even with the surface of the street.
The company is to maintain and keep
in repair the roadbed between the
rails and for twenty-four inches OUT
side of the rails. The double track
construction is not to be over fifteen
feet in width and here the company is
to macadamize the road to the full
width to gutter or curb lines within a
year after the construction Of the road,
but will not keep in repair except
between tracks and two feet outside
of rails. The macadam is to be of ma
tive stone covered with trap rock.
Provision is made to save the town
harmless for any damages that might
arise through the building of the line.
Poles called for are Of wood, painted
and not less than twenty-feet high
and to be as few in number as is posi-
BILE consistent with safety. The troll
ley wire to be eighteen feet above the
surface of the ground.
In removing snow from the tracks
it must not be piled in heaps, but
evenly distributed. fthe authorities
think the snow removed an obstruc-
tion it must be removed on forty-eight
hours notice.
Cars are to illuminated with electric
lights, properly warmed provided
with proper tenders, and headlights
with gong or whistle to be sounded
to signal the approach of the car. A
fare of five cents along the line Of the
road applied for is provided for, with
fare of three cents for children un-
der SIX accompanied by elders. The
speed is not to exceed twelve miles per
hour and the cars are to be provided
with gates SO that passengers can only
get on or off the right hand side of
the car. Cars are to have enclosed
platforms and are to be Of the most
approved style.
Between April first and November
first the streets are to be sprinkled at
least twice day. In case of failure
to do SO the town may do SO, or may
make needed repairs to the road if the
company does not and collect in an
action for debt.
Work is to be started within one
year after the passage of the ordi-
nanc, provided the county authorities
give consent, and completed within
six months.
Cars are to be run on week days
from a. m. to p. M, on a schedule
of one car each half hour and on Sum
days one car an hour, but more FREE
quently if the company elects.
The company to give a bond OF slO,-
900 for the proper doing of the work
and maintenance Of the street,
The meeting was decidedly pro troll
ley. Nobody opposed the trolley prin-
ciple, but the discussion hinged on
the terms.
r. r. Kellogg for the Civic Associa-
tion, said that the association is not
opposed to the trolley, but it is op-
posed to some features Of the ordi-
nance as introduced. The present APP
plication is important in that it sets a
precedent for future franchises and
the counsel should avail itself of the
privilege Of taking counsel from the
experience Of other towns. In the
first place the percentage payment is
indefinite and too small Other mum
icipalities have become involved in