Palisadian. [volume] (Cliffside Park, N.J.) 1906-current, 1915-11-27

DNI HUVY hGyuTU IL Ms
STRONG OPPOSITION
The taking over of the old Bergen
Turnpike was brought about last
Monday afternoon at the meeting
of the Board of Freeholders. And
though there was some objection, the
measure was put through by vote
of 16 to Z, l pass, absent. Some
speculation has been raised as tC
why the Public Service wanted the
county to take over this road. The
principle reason was that it would
not maintain itself from the tolls
collected, and there was no other
source of revenue. The county was
entitled to a better road, and while
it now has only the right of way
and road in very poor condition
it can go ahead and give the public
what it has long desired and is en-
titled to. Taking the road by con-
demnation proceedings would have
been folly, because it would have to
pay a large price for the privilege.
AS it is, the county gets the prop
erty without paying a dollar for it.
There is a bond issue of $1,000
900 against the Bergen Turnpike
Company, but this will not fall on
the county, as Public Service Rail-
way Company has assumed this debt
and will give a $2,O0O,000 indemnity
bond to the county to protect it.
NeftIler the co1nty nor any of the
municipalities will lose anything in
the form of franchise taxes as the
railway company will continue to pay
the per cent. tax on its gross re-
ceipts the same as it has been doing.
With the requirement of the road
by the Freeholders, the county will
be able to have a first-class public
highway from the county seat to
Hudson county and New York in
stead of having the main Connection
with the metropolis toll road and
in poor condition at that.
Following an agitation OF twenty
five years or more and after bitter
fight had been waged by the oppo-
sition, the Board of Freeholders on
Monday last adopted resolution
taking over as county road the old
Bergen Turnpike. Their action ellml-
mates one of the oldest institutions
in this county and state, and wipes
out toll road that has been in ex-
istence since 1902.
The road extends for a distance of
seven and one-half miles, from
Hudson county on the south, north
erly, through the boroughs of Fair
view, Ridgefeld, Ridgefield Park,
Little Ferry to Hackensack.
The action of the Board can be
credited to Freebooter Martin j.
Brestel, of Hackensack, who for
over four years has worked for the
adjustment of the toll gates. Asso-
ciated with him were A. V. Morri-
son of Ridgefield Park, through whose
district the toll road runs, and Philip
P. Cluss, of Ridgeield township, who
was also interested in behalf of the
residents of his section.
The passage of the resolution was
strenuously opposed by Freeholders
John T. Harrop, of Garfield, and John
Van Bussum, of Hasbrouck Heights.
The Director contended that he
had rendered his decision on advise
of counsel, who held that majority
vote of the members present was
sufficient in accordance with the law
under which the Turnpike was trans
ferred.
Those voting in favor of the reso-
luton were Messrs. Bender, Blau-
welt, Brestel, Cluss, De Leeuw, Fox,
Gantert, Garfield, Greenin, Lohan,
Morrison, O'Hare, Oliver, Polmann,
Wostbrock, and Young. Opposed
Messrs. Glover, Grain, Harrop,
Hecker, Hutton, Linderman, and Van
Bussum. DeGroot passed and the
rest were absent.
The fight started on the introduc-
ton of the resolution, Harrop con-
tending that it was unreasonable tc
suppose you can reintroduce the same
resolution at every meeting" He
held that it could not be taken III
for year following the former in
PRODUCTION.
A. V. Morrison declared the reso
luton an entirely new one, contain
ing a different proposition, although
the same subject, from that intro
duced on October Is.
Counsel Mackay verified this b.
saying that the procedure was en-
tirely different.
After considerable discussion, whicl
consumed the greater part of tn
afternoon, vote was called TO
which resulted as before stated.