Jersey Blocking Transit District

TRENTON, June 14–The proposed New York-New Jersey Transit District will not become a reality, at least until 1959, it became evident here tonight.

Leaders of the State Legislature seem determined to block approval of the bill that would assure the establishment of the new interstate agency. The lawmakers are expected to recess Monday night until late September.

An identical measure has already been approved by the New York Legislature and signed by Governor Harriman. But, it would become effective only if and when the New Jersey bill is enacted.

The proposed new body would be authorized to draw up a master plan for the integration of existing commuter rail facilities in the metropolitan area with the New York City subway system. It would have thirty-two members – sixteen from each state.

Fourteen of the members would be chosen from New York County and one each from Orange and Rockland. In New Jersey, there would be two representatives each from Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Middlesex, Monmouth and Union Counties and one each from Mercer, Morris, Passaic, and Somerset.

The governing body would be required to seek further legislative approval for any specific project it ultimately decided upon. The governments of the counties involved would also have to endorse all projects.

The New Jersey legislation was introduced by State Senator Walter H. Jones, Republican of Bergen County. Monday he plans to make an eleventh-hour attempt to obtain passage. However, to accomplish this in one day would require a two-thirds vote in both the Senate and Assembly. Mr. Jones is not optimistic.

The majority of Assemblymen and nearly all of the Senators from North and Central Jersey counties, excluding Bergen, that would participate in the transit district are strongly opposed to its establishment.

They reason that any rail commuter service devised will be a deficit operation and that it will be incumbent upon their constituents to finance it. They are strongly supported by officials at both the county and municipal levels.

Many of the legislators in question say the Port of New York Authority should underwrite at least some of the cost. Assemblyman William V. Musto, Democrat of Hudson County, has introduced a bill that would require the Port Authority to assume all of the tasks and financial responsibilities envisioned.

There appears to be virtually no chance that this bill will fare any better now than the Jones measure.