Perth Amboy evening news., 1920-12-29
Nd TRLLEYS On
THE NEW BRIDGE
No Provision Made for Tracks
of Jersey Central Traction
Company Thus Far.

BY Special Correspondent
SOUTH AMBOY, Dec. 29-The
question as to what provision will be
made for trolley tracks on the new
state bridge across the Raritan Riv-
er, connecting this city with Perth
Amboy. if such provision is made, Is
causing no little consideration on the
part of officials of the Jersey Central
Traction Company. whose cars go
over the present wooden structure.
| In the discussion to date no mention
has been made of any provision be-
(, ing made for the layingaof single or
double trolley tracks. The South
Amboy Chamber of Commerce has
looked into the subject and is now
giving it its attention. 1t has been
their understanding that the tenta-
tive plans and specifications, as APP
proved a. present. make no provi-
sion for any trolley tracks on the
bridge. The secretary of the local
chamber was instructed to secure in
formation on this matter.
In reply to a letter from the
Chamber of Commerce secretary,
State Highway Engineer T. J. Was
ser has declared that the matter of
providing trolley service on the new
bridge is now before the attorney
general and the state highway de-
partment Is now awaiting an opinion
on the matter. Mr.. Wasser's letter
follows:
Dear Sir
II beg to acknowledge receipt of
yours of December %, wherein you
request certain Information as to the
possibility of providing trolley
service on the proposed new state
bridge between Perth and South
I,ta 1pt, ny-r.. f,1t hnc al
ready requested an opinion in this
matter from the attorney general
and | hope to he IN a position to
| give you definite answer to your in
| qlliry as soon as the opinion is hand
ed down.
| Very truly yours.
"T. J. WASSER,
| Highway Engineer"
In answer to an inquiry sent the
! Jersey Central Traction Company by
the local Chamber of Commerce, the
following letter was received:
! Dear Sir:
BEG to acknowledge yours of the
! 22nd in which you state that so far
as your body is aware no plans have
| been made for carrying the trolley
tracks over the new highway bridge
between South and Perth Amboy.
Concerning this matter the
writer has had several conferences
with chief engineer of the bridge de-
partment of the state highway COM
mission, G. A. Meade, with view of
providing for the tracks of this COM
pany on the new bridge. / cannot
say that this matter has been defin
itely arranged, but he has promised
to keep it in mind. and l hope that
satisfactory arrangements will be
worked out.
THE greatest problem in solving
this situation is of course financing
our part of the structure. AS sooh
as plans are in such form as to be
considered for approval the matter
will again be given due consider
alton.
VERY truly yours,
"WM. H. HITCHCOCK,
General Manager"
The contents of Engineer Was
sers letter and that of Manager
Hitchcock would indicate that there
is a big possibility that trolley serv-
ice over the new bridge will not be
provided for in the bridge plans.
Whether a legal fight will ensue If
permission is not granted the trolley
company or If the financial arrange
ment is not satisfactory to the troll
| ley company is a question. The Jer-
sey Central Traction Company, it is
understood. has a franchise giving il
| the right to pass over the draw OF
the present bridge. 1t is not known
whether this franchise will hold
good on the new structure. AS II
only covers the section of the bridge
constituting the draw" however. il
would be useless unless an agree
ment is reached for the remainder
of the structure. A tangle of some
sort is expected before the matter
is definitely settled. No further ac-
ton will be taken until the attorney
generals action is handed down.
P. A. Hdwe. for Window ventilators