Perth Amboy evening news., 1922-10-28
NEW HITCH ON
FERRY PROJECT
company Refuses to Accept
Franchise as Amended
Action is Surprise

SOUTH AMBOY, Oct. 2S-The
Jersey Coast Ferry Company, |
through William T. Van Brlnt, pro-
moter, advised City Solicitor Francis
p, Coan that they would not accept
the franchise as amended. This
action came as a surprise. since it
was generally conceded that the
ferry company had temporarily
agreed to the provisions as out
lined in the amendment to the
original franchise. i
From the company's star dpoint
the franchise as amended Ia con-
sidered unreasonable. AS has been
told before in the advent of the
ferry company agreeing to the
amendment, it would rIean that
they would have to pave John
street from Broadway to the shore.
This cons deration On the part of
beating about the bush. on the part
the city officials came after much
beating about the bush on the part
of the ferry company as to just
where they wanted to land The
while idea Of the ferry seemed to
have beer. given birth over night.
Consequently when the promoter
came to this city in quest of a suit
able landing place, every street on
the water front seemed TO please,
but when matter of selecting one
came about that was a horse of
another color.
Henry street was considered at
first, David street next, John street
came in its turn, then it Was finally
agreed that Henry street would be
the street needed. Consequently
the council passed an ordinance
granting a franchise to the Jer-
sey Coast Ferry Company, giving
Henry street as the terminus in this
city. Circumstances sort of again
switched the wind and the ferry
company cast an eye On John
street, and in accordance with its
wish, requested the council for that
street as Part of its terminus.
The council body then on the ad-
vice of Mayor Stanton agreed to
the arrangement, but said as fol-
lows: For this right you will have
TO pave John street with cement
from curb to curb" 1t seemed to
meet with the company's approval
hut not until the matter was consld-
cred as the only way to get the
John street water front. The eoun-
ell at its last regular meeting intro
duced the ordinance pertaining &c
the amendment of the original fran
chise, making plain the agreements
OF both parties.
Everything went along smoothly.
The councilmen and mayor were
being congratulated for its stand on
the matter, although there were
some who thought that the coun-
ill was hard in it's demands when 1t
asked the ferry company to pave
John street. Whether or not these
same people forgot that the street
in question would have to be upset
with so much traffic continually on
it, and whether or not they did not
look into the proposition as a prop
erty owner or resident of this par
licular street. with h inconVenl-
ence of dust and dirt thai necessar-
lily follows the use OF a dirt street,
or whether these people thought
The taxpayers should pave the street
is a matter not as yet answered.
There are a great number, many
Of whom have Iauded the city body
for their stand in the matter, VINO
can see no benefit from the ferry
unless some substantial returns are
made for the franchise. Others feel
that it will be a benefit to the city,
but no substantial reasons nave as
yet been advanced.
Someone has said that the ferry
was more of a local project than
anything else and should be encour
aged, instead of discouraged.
1t has been stated that the city
would have to bear the expense Of
moving the sanitary system
from where it is now located. In the
original franchise this matter Is
given consideration, and it states
plainly hat the piping of the sewers
will have to be protected by the
ferry company.
Work on the bulkheading at the
foot of Henry street is being cons
tinued at this time, and is expected
TO be completed shortly. Another
proposition is expected by the ferry
company at anytime. The ferry was
supposed to have been put into OPP
Grafton by Decoration Day, of thls
year. Whatever interest was being
manifested by the people seems to
have died out almost entirely.