Perth Amboy evening news. [volume] (Perth Amboy, N.J.) 1903-1959, 1912-08-21
ALDERMEN AND MAYOR
DECLARE CITY OUGHT
TO OWN STREET ENDS
Opinions Obtained by Evening News
on Ferry Companys Action 10 Sc
cure Certain Ri parian Rights.
HOMMANN SAYS CITY MAY LEASE

There seems to be a difference OF
opinion regarding the right of the
city to lease the foot of its streets
for ferry or other privileges and the
Perth Amboy and Tottenville Ferry
Company, which is seeking the right
to use the easterly end Of Bucking-
ham avenue, wants to be sure of its
position before 1t locates there.
Through George 8. Silzer as counsel,
it urged the Riparian Commission
yesterday at Trenton to grant 1t q
lease direct for twenty-five years, but
no action was taken by the board.
Governor Woodrow Wilson yester-
day morning indorsed the action OF
the other riparian commissioners In
Offering to make grants to the city OF
Perth Amboy for the ends Of Buck
ingham avenue, Washington. Com
merce and Fayette streets at the rate
of $40 a foot. This action seems to
be fully in accord with the desire OF
all the city officials. including Act
ing Mayor Garretson and every mem
ber of the Board of Aldermen. Now
their plans are somewhat upset by
the fact that the ferry company lie
adhering to the original plan of hav-
ing lease for twenty-five years for
the foot of Buckingham avenue made
directly from the state to the COM
pany with the city's consent.
Misunderstanding of Matter.
The subject seems to have been
thrown into its present state by a
misunderstanding on the part of city
officials. For the past few years the
city had endeavored to secure per-
petual rights to the ends OF ite
streets fronting on the water. City
Attorney C. c. Hommann had worked
on the proposition and the belief OF
the aldermen was that there were
many technicalities and much red
tape about securing the rights. To
their surprise they learned at the
meeting of the Riparian Commission
in Jersey City July rs, that there
had never been any question or diff
Guilty about the city securing the
grants, as it could have had them a.
any time If 1t would pay the price
| The commissioners were then In
| formed that the city wished the per
petual rights to the ends of the foul
streets mentioned and the application
of the ferry company to the commits
sion for a twenty-five year lease for
the end of Buckingham avenue was
not considered.
The city fathers, and particularly
Mr. Garretson, seemed highly pleased
at the time to be informed that the
city could purchase and control the
grants, and further than that, de-
whatever 1t pleased with them
Messrs. M. F. Mclaughlin and 10
seph A. Birkholz, OF the Riparian
Commission, declared at the time that
the city could do with the land al
the ends of the streets what 1t pleas
ed after 1t had purchased the grants
from the state.
City Attorneys Opinion Given.
City Attorney Hommann has rem
dered an opinion to the aldermen
that In his estimation the city cal
lease the ends of it's streets for ferry
or similar public purpose, despite the
fact that he has been unable to finC
law to base his claim upon. Alder
man F. A. Seaman is of the same
| opinion and all the city fathers de
clare they would prefer to have thu
city own the rights in perpetuity, t
lease and use them as it sees fit.
Representatives of the Perth Am
boy and Tottenville Ferry Compan.
dispute the right of the city to leas
such land and George S. Silzer, fo-
the company, got the riparian com
missloners to admit yesterday tina
there was a doubt as to the city'i
right in that respect. Mr.. SilZel
spoke for the ferry company, favor
ing a twenty-five year lease from thu
state to his company, declaring i
the only visible safeguard to thu
company. Acting Chairman Henr!
r. Caullet stated that the governor
would probably take recognition o
the points given and grant rights
suitable to the company but Nigh
refer it to the attorney general.
Governor Wilson and the othe,
Riparian Commissioners, with thu
exception of NJ. NJ. Mclaughlin, wh'
was absent, went into session In tn
governors office in the state house q
Trenton at 1870 o'clock yesterda..
morning. The local delegation wa
scheduled to be heard at 2 O'Clock
but other matters took up so mucl
time that 1t was 1 o'clock before tn
Amboyans could be heard and as the,
entered the governor went to lunch