Perth Amboy evening news., 1920-11-19

GRADE CROSSING ELIMINATION.

nal that company to elevate its tracks through
Paterson in accordance with the Fielder law Tor
the abolition of grade crossings. the railroad
situation as IL affects Perth Amboy is oace more
brought forward.
II was when Ferd Ga,retson was mayor that
the state legislature passed a law competing
railroads to eliminate all grade crossings within
municipalities where petitions were flel request
Ing tnat It be done. provided that the application
was approved by the Public Utility Commission
Perth Amboy was the first city to file an applica-
ton under this law, but the Public Utility Com
mission felt that the situation In Paterson was
SO much worse than in Perth Amboy and the
population affected was so much greater that
Paterson was given the precedent.
Accordingly. the Erie railroad was ordered TO
begin at once to elevate its tracks through Pater-
son. But the railroads had agreed that the first
company so ordered would make a test case oil
the matter. The Erie railroad carried the mat
ter into the courts. This supreme court up
held the law under which Paterson had acted
and the railroad then carried the matter to the
United States supreme court. But this tribunal Is
so extremely busy and its work is so far behind
that the case has rested there for five years
awaiting a hearing. In the meantime all fur-
Their efforts to abolish grade crossing under
this law has been held In allegiance.
AS far as Perth Amboy's case is concerned, the
Public Utility Commission has not even passed
upon 1t. All efforts to have the matter taken up
by that body have failed. Probably the commits
sioners were waiting for the United States SUI
preme court to decide the Paterson case before
proceeding further.
Should the decision be in favor of Paterson
thereby upholdlng the constitutionality of the
Fielder act. Perth Amboy will still have to wait,
we understand. because the Public Utility Com
mission, In spite of the fact that Perth Amboy
was the first city to make its appeal, has decided
that the grade crossings In Elizabeth on the
Central railroad will have to be abolished before
the Perth Amboy situation is tackled. Now since
Che Central railroad is going to build a new
bridge over Newark bay at Elizabethport the
change in grade at that place will have to be
made at the same time.
AS 1t is estimated that it will cost anywhere
from three to five million dollars to abolish grade
crossings in a city like Perth Amboy it is appar-
ent that the railroad company cannot do
many such jobs at once. The new bridge over
Newark bay will cost many times that much. 1t
is likely. therefore. that even If the decision of
the United States supreme court is in favor of
Paterson, Perth Amboy will have to wait several
years yet before the grade crossings here can be
eliminated.
On this question of grade crossing elimination
hangs all our much desired railroad improve
ment. Perth Amboy needs a new railroad station
badly. But 1t is hardly to be expected that the
railroad company will spend money on a new
station here with tracks at the present grade if,
within a few years 1t is known that the grade
will have to be changed. That would, indeed, be
a waste of money. 1t has been this agitation for
the elimination of the grade crossings that has
prevented the city going after a new station as It
otherwise would. If tracks are to be elevated
or depressed through this city, it is natural to
want the station TO conform Herewith and the
grade of the tracks must be known before the
station can be erected.
But II Perth Amboy could be assured of some
definite time in the future when all these inn
provements would be made it would be a de-
cided advantage. Railroad officials have admit
ted that the station facilities here are inadequate
and not what the city ought to have. They
have gone further and stated that the company
contemplated a new station at Perth Amboy.
But they have been unable to say when it would
be built.
In the meantime, It behooves Perth Amboy 20
secure a comprehensive city plan which will in
clude a new union station suitably located for
all the railroads entering the city, and easily
reached from all sections. Such a station ought to
have a handsome approach so as to be a credit
to the city. A city plan would provide for this
and with such a plan in our possession we could
go to the railroad company when the time came
for the elimination of grade crossings. and insist
that the station be located and constructed to
conform with the general scheme of the whole
city's development.
Instead OF waiting. therefore. until the time
arrives for the track elecation or depression,
Perth AmbOy should be extremely busy right now
with a city plan so as to be ready to advance the
city's interests when the time comes.
The matter of track elevation or depression,
is also something that would be included in a
city plan. Whether putting the tracks above
the streets. thereby dividing the city in two parts
by a great wall of masonry, or depressing the
tracks so that the streets would pass over the
railroad is a question for municipal experts. The
city planners would decide what would be for the
best interest of the city and we could insist that
such a plan be followed. Without a plan the
railroad will do about as it pleases, suiting its
own convenience regardless of the best interests
os Perth Amboy.
While the delay in grade crossing elimination
and all that it means, is to be deplored it is plain
that Perth Amboy In not yet ready for such an