Perth Amboy evening news., 1920-03-02
-<E8~
CHANCES FOR THE TUNNEL.

what form the Vehicular tunnel under
the Hudson river shall take get busy
pretty soon and show the people that
they know what they are talking
about, they may fnd that the people
have decided that there will be no
tunnel of any kind, at least not for the
present.
Judging from the way some Of the
New York newspapers are discussing
he matter, they seem to thing that
all that remains to be done is 10 de-
eide on the details of the construction.
AS a matter of fact. the people Of New
Jersey have got to pass on the matter
before a bond issue is authorized ana
il is certain that the tunnel can never
be built without a bond issue.
When II IS realized how much de-
bends on the favorable action OF the
people 1t is surprising that the com
mission is so secretive about the whole
matter. Most Of their meetings have
been held behind closed doors and
while 1t was quite evident that there
were differences between the mem
berg of the commission, nothing def
mite was learned until 1t became
known that the plans for the pro-
posed tunnel which had been drawn
by General George w. Goethals. the
builder Of the Panama canal. were to
be rejected and the plans of G. M.
Holland, consulting engineer OF the
board, were 10 be substituted.
The public in general do not claim
10 know very much about tunnels,
but they do know a great deal about
General Goethals and they have great
confidence In his ability.
But whether the Goethals plans or
the Holland plans are finally adopted
ig not the question at issue at the
present time. It is first necessary to
get the consent of the people to BOND
the state for the necessary amount to
construct the tunnel.
Various estimates r given as to
the possible cost OF the tunnel. What
eyed the expenses, 1t is to be divided
syenly between New York and New
Jersey. 1t is plain, however. that
New York win be far more benefited
by the tunnel than will New Jersey.
Under the circumstances 1t Is not sur
prising that the New Workers are the
most anxious. It has been the New
York representatives, however, who
have been opposed to open sessions
of the commission and who have
ahown considerable indifference as to
what attitude the people in general
soight take of the project.
Originally 1t was estimated that the
sunnel would cost about $12,000,-
500" This sum has now grown so
that in a report recently submitted
TO Governor Smith. Of New York. by
the New York commissioners the
estimated cost is $2Ss .000. With
each state bearing half the expense
this New Jerseys share will
be s14.S34,500.
Now. the same commission has In
view the construction of a bridge
across the Delaware river between
Camden and Philadelphia, which 1t is
estimated will cost fully as much as
the tunnel. This mean a total OF
ssO, 600. 900 that the people of the
state will be asked to authorize at the
coming election. The state constitu-
ton forbids the bonding OF the state
Tor more than $1,000 without first
securing consent of the people
through q referendum vote.
The plan for the tunnel provides
that y toll shall be charged and the
income from this toll is expected tc
pay for the tunnel within twenty
years and yield o handsome profit tt
the two states besides, But this Il
promising something for the dim and
distant future. Tolls I Very un'
popular, whether they be for roads
bridges or tunnels. It is very probable
that once the tunnel is completed G
aght will be started to have the tolls
removed. leaving the whole cost to b'
paid by the taxpayers.
But this $4,000. 900 for the TUNE
and bridge is not the only proposition
Shat is likely to be put before the PEG
pie at the coming election. There 1:
the demand for $40. 600, 900 for the
proper care of state charities, the
money TO be raised through a bond
issue. Then, 1t is proposed TO give
war bonus to the boys who went from
New Jersey into the Great War. Thi:
would mean another bond issue Of
$4,000. 900. In addition to all thi.
ts the proposition that the state issue
bonds for ST. 00o, 600 to carry out 1T
part in the construction of the shiI
canal by the purchase Of the right OF
way across the state. This makes
total Of some ss5. 900. 900 that It Il
proposed I 0 bond the state for.