New-York tribune., 1903-04-19
long BRANCH MAY HAVE A BOARDWALK.
ONE or THE IMPROVEMENTS POSSIBLE If NEU.
CITY CHARTER Is TAKEN OUT

office by the abolition Of the dual form Of govern
rnent and from those who are afraid of increased
taxes if the city goes ahead and makes the III
provements that have been needed 50 long
It seems likely that a special election will be
called in July TO vote the charter question Al
that time the cottage colony is in full attendance
and a general representation of taxpayers can Dc De
secured. II is possible that it will go over until
fall when the regular election Of village offcers
occurs.
If the voters adopt the city charter many changes
will be brought about. A Mayor and seven coun-
Cilmen will replace the village commlsslon' re-
corder with power dispose of criminal cases anu
divert the revenue from fines into the city treas
ury will succeed the police justice; the limit OF
tax rate will be increased from three-tenths OF l
per cent to per cent. but the assessments can De
lowered; the right issue per cent bonds 10 the
amount Of 15 per of the assessed valuation VIII
be given. and the City Council will be empowered
to acquire land for public parks There VIII De
several new officers, controller and building IN
spector being the most important
OF the changes under the charter act the rlsnt
of bonding the city is most important Long
Rranch.s limit OF credit will be increased from
s1s m 10 more than SI.c00 600. The Improvement
Of the ocean front will probably De the first prof.
ect taken up if the people decide in favor OF the
rev- charter. The front could be taken away from
private owners by condemnation proceedings and
operated by the city for the greatest good OF the
greatest number. Municipal ownership OF water
lighting and sewerage plants would De possible
fer Long Branch is one of the few cities in the
country that owE nothing but the streets
The Long Branch ocean front differs from most
f those on the Jersey coast in that 1t consists OF
q solid bluff from six to fourteen feet IN height
with a beach Of fine sand. which is excellent for
ba+bing Oceau-ave-, one of the finest drlFeWays
in the country, follows the coast near the nIuH'
but bevond the drive is a strip held by private
owners and they have not been particular about
improving IT,
There are few substantial improvements on the
ocean side of the drive There are a few Weather-
beaten hotels of small capacity. some tumoIedoWh
store buildings and strings of carelessly built
hatbhouses This is the place for a boardwalk II
there ever was one. It could easily equal the
length Of the famous Atlantic City walk. and with
The advantage of having the shops across the
driveway. Long Branch cottage resort Is nrII-
" established. but until something is done with
the ocean front it draw its full and right
full quota of summer visitors
There are several large hotels in the OUTSKIRTS
OF the resort but those in Long Branch proper
have outlfved their usefulness They are afiI-
quated. and have not been kept IN gooa repair 4I
There can be no pronounced influx Of capital uIti
the beach front is cleared Up. Inat W9uId
come then is assured. say those who nave mace d
study of the c1ty's future