Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1912-01-02

Legislature, though repeatedly ap-
pealed to. has refused to give the city
power to put in force such measures
of relief as seem feasible and satisfac-
tory to her citizens and, of course, has
done nothing itself toward solving the
problem. Thus the city lies helpless
in this respect as In many others, until
it shall please the Legislature to act.
1.-TWO general measures of relief are
proposed. One would give the city
power to require the building of extern
sions or connections. not to C a
half mile in any case, through streets
where a majority of the property own
ers refuse to consent to the laying of
tracks, and the other would authorize
the city to construct a subway, or sub
ways, to be leased to the trolley COM
pany. The first proposition has many
features to commend it, though there
are some provisions in the bill which
embodies it which I do not altogether
favor. But viewing 1t in its most IA
vorable aspect, it cannot be regarded
as a complete and enduring means to
relieve congestion. The so-calied
HaIf-Mile Bill would permit re-
routing so as to divert a number of
lines from the intersection of Market
and Broad streets. But ever should
this be accomplished. 1t would not be
a great while before public sentiment
would demand the increase of a r on
the lines which would still cross that
corner, and SO, in a short time, the
situation would be as bad as before.
1t must be remembered h a increased
facilities breed traffic, and that the
city and suburbs are growing rapidly,
and furnishing more trolley passen-
gers every day.
"It seems entirely reasonable. there
fore, to conclude that something APP
preaching permanent relief can only
be had by removing the trolley cars
from tle drface of the streets In con-
gested sections. and a subway or sys-
tenn of subways is obviously the most
desirable way in which to accomplish
this result. AS I have stated several
times my idea with regard to subways
is that they should be built and owned
by the city; that they should be leased
to the trolley company on such terms
as would, at least, pay ell interest and
sinking fund charges from the start,
and that the rental charges should be
adjusted at reasonable intervals so
that in time handsome profits would
be poured into the public treasury. I
believe, also, that the city should have
the power to build new subways or ex-
tensions of subways whenever and
wherever it shall so decide, and re-
quire their use under like terms. This
plan. I am persuaded, has the indorse-
ment of a vast majority of the citizens
of Newark"
City plan Commission's Needs.
The City Plan Commission Is referred
to in the message. and Mayor Hauss-
ling points out that soon the prelimi-
work of the commission will be
completed and that 1t will come to the
Council for permanent quarters in the
City Hall. Thu mayor declares that
the commission will ask for legislation
giving it greater power and the use OF
more tina 10000 per year. He favors
this heartily and tells about the neces-
sity of a planning commission. Mayor
Haussling is of the opinion that the
planning commission is essential to the
city. and that not only the esthetic