Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1913-11-06
TRACTION GRANT
PUZZLES SUMMIT
Council Wonders If Public UtiI-
tiles Can Change Sched-
uIe of Cars.


This matter was brought to the at
tention of council last night. when
President Debevoise made a report
on the question of the Morris County
Traction Company's trolley service
here. Mr. Debevoise stated that. o.
g. Schultz, president of the traction
company, had informed him that the
corporation is DESTROYS of maintain
ing the present half-hour schedule
between this city and Maplewood and
Madison, and hourly service between
Summit and Elizabeth, except during
certain hours in the morning and
evening. instead of q flfteen-minute
service to Madison and Maplewood
and a half-hour schedule to Eliza
beth, as was provided prior to Octo-
Der 1.
Because of a complaint against the
withdrawal of the quarterly and half
hourly schedule, council some weeks
ago directed City Solicitor Cora N.
Williams to take the matter up with
the traction company, as 1t is con-
tended that this city's franchise re-
quires a half-hour service to Eliza
beth. Mr. Schultz advised President
Debevoise that his company is await
ing the decision of the Public Utili-
ties Commission on several matters,
and il is believed the franchise Is
liable to attack.
would Watch Commission.
For this reason Mr.. Debevoise be-
lieved City Solicitor Williams should
keep a careful watch on the doings
of the Public Utilities Commission
If the Utilities Commission has the
power to order the provisions of a
franchise abrogated or amended, then
Mr. Debevolse said he considered 1t
useless for q, municipal governing
body to devote its time and study In
preparing franchises or contracts.
Mr.. Schultz is to present to council
In writing the traction company
side of the reasons for the change |
in the time schedule, and 1t is ex-
pected at the next meeting of council
definite action will be taken.
wants Complaints Filled.
Smarting under the criticism and
comments directed against the pres
ent Republican local administration
of city affairs during the political
campaign, President Debevoise had
resolution adopted reqesting all citi-
zens to file any complaints they may |
entertain against the administration |
with Common Council
False Criticism.
Mr.. Debevoise stated that while he
did not object to criticism made on |
definite basis he was unwilling TO
have his motive or the motives of
his colleagues impugned by irrespon-
sible criticism
'This council is composed or seven |
;ndependent men who are serving |
the city without pay. and who give
their time and honest effort for the
interests of the city. No good citizen
would stand on a street corner and
criticise the city's governing BODY.
"Among the charges made against
tha council said Mr.. Debevoise. Is
one that a bond issue Is to De nlaue
70 secure money to pay the Guys
current expenses.
Admits He Made Assertion
Councilman Pringle. the lone Demo,
cratic member, promptly ADMIRED
that he had made such charge. Mr;
pringle pointed out that the proposed
hond issue of $4,000 Is to be made
for the purpose OF acquiring money
necessary to pay the city's share OF
nubIic improvements in the form OF
cover construction. Such expense,
the Democratic member insisted,
should be levied in the tax budget
each year, and not spread over
series OF years for future citizens TO
bear. as Is the case when pondS are
issued.
18th the end of the present admins
tration. January l. there would be no
Incomplete contracts or large I'M
nrovements to be made, and the In
coming body would have a clean
slate and should prove q good ad-
ministration
To Fight Assessment.
After months of controversy and
desnite the protest of practically
every resident affected. the assess
rnent of So per front foot levied
against property -owners In that sec
lion for the West Summit sewer sys-
tenn, Council confirmed the assess
ment as levied by the Board of As
sassors The matter will be taken
into the courts by the property
owners. who maintain such an as
sessment Is Illegal and unjust.
To Investigate charges made by
candidates of the Progressive party
In the political campaign that there
, is a system of unequal taxation FOL
lowed here, President Debevoise was
empowered to appoint committee to
investigate such complaints. Mr.
Debevoise named Councilmen Pringle
and Knight, Receiver Schultz and AS
SCISSOR stephen r. Mullen, and will
ask Bert E. Underwood and Romeyn
Kerry. who were the Progressive cam
/ didates for mayor and councilman at
large. respectively, to complete the
| committee.
All complaints against tax assess
ments are to be filed with Common
| Council, and win be referred to the
special committee for investigation.
For the purpose of improving sani-
/ tary sewers In Hawthorne place and
Euclid avenue and Riverside road
and the Springfield avenue storm
sewer the sewerage and drainage
committee was authorized to expend
$500.
To Clear Title. /.
To clear the title of plot of ground
in Hillcrest for Charles p. Kimball
trustee of the Mary T. Martin estate,
Council voted to adopt an ordinance
vacating a strip of land which had
been decided to the municipality In
1871 to be opened as a thoroughfare
The street has never been opened. Mr..
I<imtaIl wrote that he had contracted
to sell the land to Frederick H. Ship
man. president of the New York Life
Insurance Company.
Mr. Shinman would take title to the
property, on which he intends to erect
costly residence, as soon as the
cloud In the title is cleared.
The city clerk was directed to con-
vey to former Councilman William B.
I.yall a vote of thanks for his gift OF
large American flag. which is to
adorn' the municipal building.
Councilman at Large elect Clement
K. Corbin occupied seat In the
Council chamber during the session
and followed the proceedings closely
McAneny Jerseynan
JERSEY CITY. Nov. 6-George r.