Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1911-03-13
PROTEST
AGAINST PASSAGE
| OF TRANSIT BILL
IA --a------
West Hudson Mayors Object to
4 Several Provisions OF
Measure.

At a conference of the mayors OF
West Hudson held yesterday at the
Nome of Mayor Joseph p. Riordan, I'll
North Fifth street, Harrison, a strong
protest was lodged against the pass
Age OF Assembly bill No. 81, which, X
passed, would allow the establishment
III d rapid transit system in the eastern
section of Hudson county. A certain
Der cent. of the assessment would De
Revfed upon West Hudson, although no
benefits would accrue. Mayor Corne-
Gus A. McGlennon, of East Newark.
and Mayor Louis M. Brock, of kearny,
we're present at yesterdays conference.
Text OF Protest.
The protest, a copy OF which was
Addressed to the Legislature OF the
state, is as follows:
I'VE, the undersigned, mayors OF mu-
Inequalities in Hudson county, desire
TO protest against the passage OF As
sembiy bill No. 81, providing for rapid
transit railroads, In first-class coun-
tfes, for the following reasons:
'ift Because IL requires the entire
oosr lover and above that paid by in
DOME from the road to be raised by
tAxation on the county at large. In
that respect 1t is unjust to some parts
a. the county, which will receive little
ur no benefit from the road proposed.
"l2) Because it disregards the in
crease In values which VIII accrue to
nroperty along the line, and does not
uroyide for such properties bearing
sny greater proportion of the cost than
those not SO benefited.
- ~ -s
Gives Commission Unusual Powers.
"(S) Because it gives the commission
szbsoiute power TO make plans, let con-
tracts, construct the road and issue
nbnds as It sees At without any control
u the voters or any body representing
the voters, except that general routes
rAust be approved by the Board of
chosen Freeholders. The limitation on
expenditure contained in the bill is of
itktfe value, for as 1t Is drawn. the full
amount authorized may be spent m
Yartiai construction and the county
Mould then have to authorize a further
expenditure for completion.
TOO Because 1t gives the commission
ABSOLUTE power tt make operating con-
Tracts or leases without the consent or
appYovAi of the voters or OF their rep
H&sentafives. or OF the Public Utilities
Commission, and it allows the commits
u&on to award a contract for construc-
ton and operation, which 10 practically
~ grant of a franchise without such
cpnsent or approval.
%"{9 Because 1t limits the commits
don to subway construction.
90 Because in other respects the bill
Il defective and does not properly pro-
ttct the interests of the public.
1--WE do not believe that the objec-
tons to the bill are obvia'ed by the
provision for submitting It te the voters
&8r adoption. Such a referendum would
not be a fair presentation of the ques-
ton. The voters would be required
either to vote against rapid transit or
ID vote in favor of obtaining 1t in the
particular way provided In this bill.
An Affirmative vote would bring upon
the county the evil stated above, and a
negative vote would delay a proper So
ihtion of the transit problem by at least
p year or more.
Favor Properly Drawn Bill.
IF other parts of the county are in
need of increased transit facilities, we
flvor the passage of a properly drawn
Ill which will provide for obtaining
such facilities. Such a bill should pro-
yide for exempting municipalities not
benefited by the road from bearing any
Part Of the cost; for assessing a part of
the ost on lands especially benefited,
for a preliminary investigation and ac-
cprate determination of the cost, CIV
ing the voters (if they so desire) an
opportunity to vote on the proposition
sitter all plans are prepared and the
entire scheme formulated. 1t should
permit either subway, elevated, surface
a. combination construction and it
ghould contain such provisions as are
NECESSARY to protect the public and give
the people control over the acts of
the commission.
I'VE, therefore, believe that the pas
sRge Of Assembly bill No. 81 would be
detrimental to the interests of Hudson
county, and W. urge that 1t be not
passed.
I'VE are totally opposed to the Simp-
Rpn bill, In It's present shane, or any
other bill which would include a taxing
of the West Hudson towns for such a
pfoposed rapid transit railroad"
III