Port Authority Balks At Providing Any Funds

Solution of this state’s railroad commuter problem of rising fares and curtailed service, was tackled on three fronts yesterday while the Port of New York Authority, involved in each action, announced it would be impossible for it to provide any funds for effecting the solution.

The Assembly introduced two bills to join New Jersey with New York State in forming a new bi-state agency to draw a long-range plan, while the Plainfield Common Council urged Governor Meyner to veto all new Port Authority projects until the commuter problem was solved.

On still another front, the Public Utility Commission in Newark was told the Port Authority was created to solve the problem and should be so directed by the Governor and the Legislature. This was at a hearing in the application of the Central Railroad of New Jersey to cancel 22 trains.

Lance Suggestion

The Port Authority replied to a request made by state Senator Wesley Lance (R-Hunterdon), who had asked if the Authority might contribute to financing a connection between the Jersey Central and Hudson and Manhattan Railroads. Authority Director Austin J. Tobin estimates the cost of such an undertaking would range from 15 to 40 million dollars.

Tobin said the Authority had been unable to devise any method of financing such an improvement without endangering its financial position.

The first Assembly measure, setting up the agency to plan for getting some 700,000 daily riders in this state to their jobs, is an amendment to a bill already signed by Meyner.

The other would grant this state’s approval for the bi-state Port of New York Authority to borrow 20 million dollars from New York state to buy railroad cars to lease to the New Haven, Long Island and New York Central Railroads.

When the Assembly had finished, both bills were already for passage next Monday. Assemblyman Martin J. Kesselhaut (D-Essex), the main sponsor, said chances look good for passage of both.

The transportation agency would have to be approved by Congress and the rail car bill could not take effect until congressional approval was secured, Kesselhaut said.

Changes in Bill

Main changes in the transit agency bill from the original New Jersey version are:

1. The name is changed from a transit district to the New York-New Jersey Transportation Agency.

2. Each state will have only one transportation agency member, instead of five.

3. An interim plan must be formed by June 30, 1961, instead of July 1, 1960.

4. Each state’s agency has a starter fund of $25,000, instead of $150,000 annually for five years.

5. Connecticut and Pennsylvania are now barred from joining the compact.

(Details on Page 19)