Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1911-04-27
TRACK
RAISING RAISES A
STORM IN BOARD
Frederick W. Kelsey Says Lack
awanna and P. S. Should
Pay, Not Taxpayers.

Some opposition is expected to arise
in the Board of Freeholders' meeting
this afternoon, when a resolution pre-
pared by the committee on roads and
assessments asking that $12, 800 be pro-
vided for in the May tax levy for the
purpose of aiding in the abolition OF the
Bloomfield avenue railroad crossing in
Montclair comes up.
Frederick w. Kelsey. of Orange. has
addressed a letter to the board in which
he takes the view that this expense
devolve on the Delaware, Lacka-
wanna and Western Railroad Company
and the Public Service Corporation. and
that the taxpayers should not pay for
any part of the Improvement.
Director Wallace Ougheltree. of the
board, n Walter A. Evans. of South
Orange, chairman of the committee on
roads and assessments, differ with Mr..
Kelsey. and think the improvement is
a public one, and that a portion of the
expense should be borne by the county.
"wouId Be Defeated by Vote"
Neither, however, would discuss the
matter previous to the meeting this
afternoon. Mr.. Kelsey's statement, in
part. follows:
This present attempt to compel the
taxpayers of the county to contribute
in assisting the D., L. and ". Railroad
and the Public Service Corporation in
reconstructing their own property is
merely another chapter of the same old
story. The children in the public schools
will soon know it by heart. If the
electorate of the county had an OPP
---4x-f4,, - 49, -. - - a.. In -a1xr
/ question but that 1t would be over
whelmingly defeated by a vote of three
or four to one and the interested cor
porations be compelled to promptly
change that and other dangerous cross
ings at their own expense.
Five years ago the efforts by the
same interests had but fairly begun in
the Legislature from the back door en-
I trance to secure a law that. like the
Bloomfield avenue scheme before you.
would compel all municipalities to par
ticipate in the cost of rebuilding the
railroads own tracks in grade crossing
elimination throughout the State. Pub
lie opinion was not then aroused as
now on this question.
Aroused Storm of Indignation.
6Ntn Will a puDiiS utillllco DOatd
extremely friendly to the corporations
and one of the members openly favor
ing such legislation at Trenton last
year, and again in that boards Official
report. the bill roused such a STORM
of Indignation and protest that the
scheme fell fat. The recent perennial
attempt to try again met in both houses
of the Legislature a similar fate.
THE oft-reiterated contention that
needed improvements will be held ur
by the corporations unless a bad prece-
dent and worse principle becomes
your rule of action is again heard In
this matter. Does not this threat Of
itself make one of the best of reasons
why you should not yield to it?"
Today's is the final meeting of TIL
board before the close of the fiscal yea
on Wednesday. May 10. On that date
the tax budget for the year will be
made up and adopted. Today's ses-
sion will be mainly devoted to the
passing c bills for payment before
the end of the fiscal year.