Perth Amboy evening news., 1924-05-22
STATEN ISLAND
SPAN IS TOPIC
Of VAN bUSK|RK
N. Y. Port Authority Head
Raises Question of Con-
struction Cost of Bridge
BEFORE S. |. ASSOCIATION
Questions Whether Income
Derived Would Pay inter-
est Charge of Project

Dewitt Van Buskirk, chairman of
the New York Port Authority as
the principal speaker at the annual
dinner of the South Shore Protective
Association at the Oakwood Arms,
Staten Island, last night, discussed
the matter of the proposed two
bridges which according to the acts
of the recent legislature of New
York and New Jersey, will be erected
over Staten Island sound between
Staten Island and New Jersey at
Elizabethport and Hollands Hook
and Tottenville and Perth Amboy
Mr.. Van Buskirk dwelt considerably
on the cost of construction and
questioned whether the income that
would be derived from the two struc-
lures would pay the interest charges
on the principal in the stated time.
Mr.. Van Buskirk asked the ques-
tion whether this could be done and
| If the present ferries to Staten Is
land were paying their way. He
spoke of a third bridge which he
said could be built from Bergen
Point to Staten Island on the north
side of the island to be coupled up
with the vehicular tunnel PROPOSE
ton proposed by the Port Authority
New York City. Mr.. Van Buskirk
spoke at considerable length on the
subject and of the legislative action
which would have to be taken up
again next year.
Assemblyman Thomas L. Hanson,
of this city, was also a speaker at
the dinner. Mr.. Hanson told much
of the legislative work in getting
the bridge bill through the New Jer-
sey legislature this year fr both
bridges to connect up New Jersey
with Staten Island.
Chief Engineer w. W. Drinker, of
the Port Authority, spoke briefly
with regard to the bridge PROPOSE
ton and what his department Is do
Ing in the matter of getting every
thing in readiness for the proposed
landing places on each side of the
| sound.
Borough President John A. Lynch
for the borough of Richmond, Sem
ator Mark Allen and Assemblyman
/ William l.. Vaughan and Augustus
G.. Marscher president of the asso-
citation were also called upon to say
something. Mr.. Lynch spoke of the
local Improvements on Staten Is
land, while Mr.. Allen and Mr..
Vaughan, told of their part in hay-
Ing the bridge bills put through at
Albany. Mr.. Marscher told of the
work of the association for the past
year. Henry w. Bridges, a vice
president of the Staten Island As
sociation was the POSTMASTER.
The dinner began at 0 o'clock ana
1t was after IL o'clock when it was
finished. The Oakwood Arms or
chestra furnished the music for the
occasion.
Mr.. Van Buskirk in his remarks,
said that the Port Authority well
comes the opportunity to confer with
Staten Island and learn their views
and that no prejudice or jealousies
should interfere. He pointed out
that the interests of New Jersey and
Staten Island are similar and closely
knit together, adding that naturally
Staten Island is part of New Jer-
sey.
"The Port Authority has not tax
ing power, it can construct the
bridge only on borrowed capital. IL
has not assets as collateral There
fore. to build either bridge 1t must
be demonstrated that they Will be
self disappearing" Mr.. Van Buskirh
said. Facts in this connection are
wanted. the speaker intimated, also
! questioning whether the present fer
ries to Staten Island are paying their
Way. He also asked whether it has
been determined, if the bridges are
built. where the income is to pay in
| terest, etc.
Assuming two bridges will cost
100000, interest VIII be at least
| s1.4OO a day, cost of maintenance
500, making a total of $500 day.
| Can it be shown that at least 5000
vehicles will pass over the bridge
day to bring in the required ex-
! penditures? ?"
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