The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1908-02-19
WANTS Is RIVER BRIDGES FREED.


Another determined effort is being
made to have New Jersey and Penn
sylvania buy the bridges which span
the upper Delaware River between
the two States and throw them open
to the public free of toll. There are
thirteen OF these inter state bridges,
and it is estimated that their acquisi-
ton would cost something like
100000. which it is proposed shall
be borne equally by the two States.
The first bill introduced in the New
Jersey Legislature at the present ses-
sion provides for the freeing of the
bridges. 1t was offered by Assem-
blyman Oliver c. Holcombe, of Hun
terdon County.
The proposed legislation would af-
feet the following bridges:
Calhoun Street Bridge, Trenton, to
point in Bucks County, Pa.
Trenton to Morrisville, Pa.
Wilburtha, N j., to Yardley, Pa.
Washington's Crossing, N. j., to
Taylorsville, Pa.
Lambertville, N. j., to New Hope,
Pa.
Stockton, N. j., to Centre Bridge,
Pa,
Raven Rock. n. j., to Lumberville,
Pa.
Byram, N. j.. to Point Pleasant, Pa.
Frenchtown, N. j., to a point op-
posite.
Milford, N. j., toa point opposite.
Riegelsville, n. j., to Riegelsville,
Pa.
Phillipsburg, n. j., to Easton. Pa.
Belyidere, N. j., to point oppos-
lite.
Counties which would directly ben
eft by the freeing of these bridges
are Mercer, Hunterdon. Warren and
Sussex in New Jersey, and Bucks.
Northampton. Monroe and Pike, in
Pennsylvania.
Payment of toll upon these bridg-
es' said Assemblyman Holcombe,
"has become serious burden and tax
upon the residents of the Delaware
valley in the two States and should
be abolished. The levying of toll for
crossing bridges or driving on turn
pixies is relic of the past and there
is no good reason for its continuance.
fake, for instance, the bridge
connecting Lambertville and New
Hope. For the privilege of walking
across it person must pay . cents
and as much more to return. Driver
OF hay wagon or any other double
team is taxed "a cents toll one way
and an automobile so cents. Many
persons live on one side of the river
and are employed in tho town on the
other side. The tax on these resi-
dents in the course of n year amounts
to considerable. TO save toll many
farmers drive to our town, where
they leave their teams behind and
walk across the bridge to New Hope,
where they may have business to
transact. Farmers from Pennsylvan-
III likewise leave their teams in New
Hope and walk over to Lambertville.
Stock in the companies owning
these bridges pays large dividends.
While the par value of the stock of
the bridge connecting Phillipsburg
and Easton is $50, it has been sold as
high as $500. Stock of the bridge
between Lambertville and New Hope,
the par value OF which is $50, is worth
5000 share"
If the New Jersey Legislature shall
pass the Holcombe bill it cannot be.
come operative until similar law is
passed by the Pennsylvania Legisla.
ture. Under the Holcombe measure
not more than $500, 900 is to be paid
by New Jersey for its share of the
purchase or condemnation of the
bridges. and the amount to be ex-
pended for the purpose each year is
limited to 800, 900.
Last year the New Jersey Legisla-
tire passed bill similar to that now
pending, but it was vetoed by Gov
ernor Stokes upon the ground that it
was unconstitutional Mr.. Holcombe
has eliminated this year the parts
which were declared defective. The
Pennsylvania Legislature passed a
bill and it was vetoed by Governor
Stuart mainly because the New DER
sey measure had failed to receive ex-
ecutive approval. If Mr.. Holcombe
succeeds in having the pending bill
passed he will again endeavor to OBJ
tain concurrent legislation in the
sister State.