Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1911-11-22
TO THE PUBLIC:

Or the 10Th of February, 1908, the first tun-
nels under the Hudson River were opened to
public use. Twenty-six years had elapsed since
the work was begun in 1882. Two disastrous
failures had occurred and many lives had been
lost in the attempt to master the extraordinary
difficulties involved.
The initial operation was between Hoboken
ard 10Th Street and Sixth Avenue. A few
months later 23d Street was reached; and two
and a half years later November 10, 1o10l
trains began to run to SD Street.
Prior TO the advent Of the tunnels, any one go
ing fren Hoboken to points on 9th Avenue, pail
3 cents TO cross the river by ferry, changed In
New York TO the surface cars and, for an ad-
ditional fare of 5 cents total 8 centsl was de-
livered to his destination. This is true as TO
every one except the railroad passenger. whose
ferriage is included in his railroad ticket, but
who, nevertheless, indirectly pays the ferry
charge.
Before the Tunnels were opened, the rate Oh
fare was seriously discussed by the Company's
directors. They believed that at LEAST the same
fare as that charged by the ferry and the trolley,
namely g cents, should be paid for the superior
tunnel service.
After long consideration, however, it was de-
termined 10 try a uniform rate of 5 cents
although the Company had the righr at that
time to make it s cents) with the hope that suf-
fcient traffic would be developed between New
York and New Jersey TO justify it. After almost
four years Of trial, it has been clearly demon
strated that the Tunnel Company is not justified
in carrying passengers between New Jersey and
9Th Avenue points, or uptown New York, for a
scent fare.
Since the uptown tunnels we're opened, the
Company has extended its service to the Erie
ard Pennsylvania Railroad stations and TO Grove
Street, in Jersey City. From all of these points
to 9th Avenue, New York, the rate by ferry and
trolley was previously, and is today, 8 cents, not
withstanding the Tunnel Company voluntarily
made the rate S cents.
In the near future the tunnel service will be
extended 10 Summit Avenue (the Heights Sec
tion) in Jersey City. Between this section and
9th Avenue points, the present combined rate by
trolleys and ferry is 10 cents. 1t is the intention
of the Tunnel Company to make the rate 7 cents
between these points.
The tunnel service has marked advantages
over the ferry and trolley service. By ferry and
trolley from Hoboken to 33d Street the time is
30 minutes against IA minutes by tunnel; from
the Erie station TO 33d Street it is 80 minutes
against 10 minutes by tunnel
Thus we have the unusual and anomalous
condition of the superior facility receiving a
lower rate than the inferior facilitys
The tunnel system is now practically COM
pleted, with the exception of the extension from
SD Street to the Grand Central Station. The
entire interest on its bonded debt and all fixed
charges must within the near future be charged
against the earnings from the Railroad and the
Terminal Buildings.
On the business thus far developed, and with
a uniform, Scent fare, the Company has not
earned interest on its bonds, taxes and other
fixed charges.