Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1910-01-08
tcontinuea from First Page,

respects. The advisory commission,
with this latter plan before it, ex-
amined into the subject again. but re-
ported that it found no reason for
adopting Mr.. Adams's Idea. taking is
sue with him on several important
propositions. Mr.. Adams replied to this
report in a letter, a cop OF which l
transmitted to the board.
Shortly thereafter, in a special mes
sage. to the board, l advocated that the
engineers who had studied the question
and the members of the commission
be called to confer with the board,
other city officials and representatives.
of the Board of Trade. My idea was,
that to have the experts In free and
informal conference would enable those
without engineering knowledge to set
tie the points at issue and to arrive at
a better and surcr conclusion than 9TH
erwise. In the same message, / sug-
gested that the interest of the city re-
CURED the purchase of the entire
meadow tract, including the whole of
the frontage OF Newark Bay, to the
end that 1t might be claimed and de-
veloped, with shipping facilities by rail
and water provided in a manner such
as would most thoroughly benefit the
whole community. This suggestion. 1
may say, was Endorsed by the Board
OF Street and Water Commissioners at
once, and subsequently by q confer
ence of officials and citizens called by
that body.
Now, it seems to me that it is still
important that a conference or con
f%erences on the preliminary plans
should be held, for whether or not the
city will be enabled to accomplish the
purchase Of the whole tract of meadows
and its development is still a question,
though one which l hope will shortly
be answered in the affirmative. 1t
would seem that the city is bound to
carry out such a scheme of develop
ment as can be comprised by the orig
inal appropriation of S 1000. 900 author
lied in the act adopted by popular vote,
and 1t is highly important. that.
whether we can go further or not, this
development shall be of the proper
character. AS for the proposition that
the whole meadow tract and bay 'front.'
age shall be purchased and developed.
extended consideration has fortified me
in the view hat it is not only highly
desirable, but almost a necessity, in
view OF the present situation of the
WY diio tiC dtlilulluS WHICH tire DOuiltl
to be made upon it in the near future.
We must provide sites and shipping fa-
cilities for the manufacturers who are
constantly seeking to locate within our
borders. We must secure the bay
frontage, and after development hold
it for the purpose of producing revenue
for our children and Il chlldren's
children. Again, and perhaps this is
4 ~ao1Ixr 4t.- ,ank,A ,.1-sr, 30 al me
must reclaim the meadows in the in
terest of public health.
An Additional source of Revenue.
Increase in population and develop
ment in other ways, we've welcome
they may be from some points OF view,
bring with them certain problems which
are common to all progressive munich
palitieS. Newarkswill soon find 1t neceS-
sary to discover sources Of revenue in
addition to the tax levy and the exist
ing system of licenses. / nave already
shown how, In my opinion, the bay
frontage could be developed in eon-
ilection with the reclamation of the
meadows so hat 1t might furnish a
large and perpetual income to the city.
Another source of revenue. which would
become increasingly important as the
years pass would result from the leas-
ing OF van privileges or space under
the sidewalks of our public streets.
Many cities now derive substantial
sums in this way. / am not certain
what the exact legal aspect Of the stu
alton is in Newark. ! would recon-
mend, however, that investigation be
made and that the city, if it has the
power to do so, arrang to charge for
the spaces under the sidewalks now
occupied by private individuals or con
Germs. If it should be found, upon in
vestigation. hat this right does not
now exist, / would suggest the secur-
Ing of legislation necessary to empower
the city to condemn the vaults which
are now in existence and to charge for
them and for such others as may be
constructed in the future. An equitable
| system of rates, which should be sub
ject to revision at reasonable stated
intervals, could doubtless be readily ar
ranged.
City Planning.
Newark has reached a point in popu-
lation and volume Of traffic where the
improper planning, or rather lack of
| planning of her public highways, Is
dCultiy ItdliLcu. III lllhIly oSStiOiiD tliC
streets seem to have been laid out abso-
lutely at random, so little relation have
| they one with another. The results are
f~ar-reaching and varied in character.
Traffic is impeded, for it canno pursue
| direct routes. but must make detours,
and centres of congestion are created;
the construction Of handsome buildings
is discouraged, n the u~nsightly APP
pearance of such districts not only
tends to prejudice visitors against the
community. but to lower the civic
pride of our own people.
Such a situation is ommon to most
American cities, but the experience
of a number OF them a shown it to
be perfectly feasible to alter existing
systems OF streets in such q way as to
facilitate business and to add greatly
to the beauty of the districts treated,
the enhanced value of the property
affected paying ultimately the cost
through taxes and assessments. This
can be best accomplished by
of a city planning commission, which
should consist of a limited number of
persons to be appointed by the mayor
and to serve without pay, but have
power to expend stated amounts OF
money for the services of experts to
prepare necessary plans. estimates and
the like. While the idea is that the