Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1914-10-01
CITIZENS OBJECT
TOSTREET CLOSING
Courts Might Be Resorted to it
Harrison Thorcughfares
Are Vacated.

Intimating that the courts might be
resorted to, should the Harrison
Town Council vote to vacate portions
Harrison, for the Otis Elevator Co.,
former Assemblyman Joseph A. Rior-
dan, of Harrison, appearing before
the street committee of the council
at a meeting held last night, protested
against the council passing an ordi-
nance providing for the vacating.
More than dozen other property
owners protested against the vaca-
ton.
The matter has been hanging fire
for several months. The Otis COM
pany offered the council $1,000 for the
street rights. Members of the coun-
Gil, especially Councilman John J.
DAILY bitterly fought against accept
ing the offer. Mr.. DAILY declared a
representative of the company had
offered him $4,000 for the streets. BY
majority vote, however, the offer
of $4,000 was accepted.
When a notice of intention was pub
lished by the council there was
strenuous objection Forthcoming from
residents of the town and at the fol-
lowing meeting a petition was filed
with the council. in which the many
signers protested against the street
vacation. The petition was ordered
received and the matter of passing an
ordinance was deferred until those
who signed the petition were given an
opportunity to present their case.
The street committee notified those
who signed the protest to be present
last night. MIR. Riordan was among
the first to take the stand. He en-
phatically stated that by closing the
streets in question, the council would
cause an injury to property in the
Ineighborhood. He pointed out thai
those who owned property In the Sec
ton would probably not have pur-
chased 1t had they known there was
any chance of closing either of the
streets.
mo price that can be paid the towr
by the Otis concern can recompenst
the property owners for the damage
done,' declared Mr.. Riordan. The
speaker referred to the fact that the
council had gone on record as favor
ing the locating of farmers market
in the southwestern section of the
town. He pointed out that farmers
who would enter Harrison by way oil
the Bridge or Clay street bridges
would find First street the most con-
venient to reach the market. Mr.
Riordan pointed out, however, thai
should Middlesex street be closed, tbs
farmers would find it inconvenient tt
reach the market.
IF you sell these Streets" said Mr.
Riordan, you are shutting q door t.
the farmers, and the matter Is very
serious one." Councilman Clarence T
Van Deren, chairman of the street
committee, said he believed the farm
ers could use New Jersey Railroad
avenue, but Mr.. Riordan insisted
it would be almost impossible for two
wagons to pass each other on the
thoroughfare in question, because OF
its narrowness.
The former assemblyman also
pointed out that IL the freeholders
of Hudson and Essex counties decide
to erect a bridge across the Passaic
river at Hunterton street, congested
conditions would result from the
closing of Middlesex and Somerset
streets. Mr.. Riordan declared he had
been led to believe the Otis concern
had received sufficient brick at theiI
plant to proceed with the work OF
paving the streets they are seeking
That 1,849 persons had traversed
MiddleseX street and 1856 vehicles used
the thoroughfare in one day. was de-
clared by Mr.. Riordan, who had beer
supplied with figures by persons who
had kept tally.
In concluding, Mr.. Riordan de-
clared those who protested bore nc
spleen or malice, but were simply
anxious about the progress of the
town. "If the council puts through
this matter we will be compelled tc
resort to the court. I. trust you gen.
tlemen will not put us to this ex-
pense," said Mr.. Riordan.
Mr. Van Deren declared he was
anxious to see the town progress. He
declared he was responsible for bring
ing the big industries to the town
and he was ever willing to help them
when they desired to increase the size
of their plants and thus provide more
employment to people of the town
Mr.. Van Dercn also pointed to the
fact that farmers would always
choose paved rather than dirt streets
Charles Biegner, former School
Commissioner John J. Malady, James
Mclaughlin, Charles Barrett and
George Fixter were among those who
spoke. At one point of the meeting
Councilman Edward ]. Rice, mem
her of the committee. declared he did
not propose to defend the Otis con-
Germ. ''If the people don't want us
to vacate these streets / will not
help the Otis people out" said Mr..
Rice. At the conclusion of the meet
ing Mr.. Rice declared IT will be regu-
lated and governed by the wishes of