Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1910-06-09
HAUSsL|NG
REPEATS REQUEST
FOR MEADOW LAND


venture to suggest to your honorable
body that the project for the reclama-
ton of the meadow land and improve
ment of the shipping facilities of the
city seems to nave fallen somewhat in
allegiance. I would be far from i'm
putting any degree of neglect to your
honorable body, for l appreciate the
vast number of matters to which in
slant attention must be given by you.
But the meadow reclamation project
occupies such a commanding position
In the present situation of the city,
and will have such a t~ranscendent in
f1uence upon her future progress and
prosperity, that 1 feel that it should
receive just as much consideration and
attention. as is possible, with a view to
its early Inauguration and satisfactory
contamination.
II take the liberty of recapitulating
to some extent, the stages of the pro-
ceedings so far as they have gone In
order that l may make clear the points
which I have in my mind. When the
report Of the Advisory Commission. ap-
pointed by your Honorable body, was
submitted, there was some disposition
to criticise the project embodied there
with. Taking note of this, 1 secured
the authority to engage two engineers
of established reputation to examine
the report of the Advisory Commission
and to present their own conclusions
with regard to the general situation.
One of the engineers was substan-
TALLY in accord with the Advisory Com
mission; the other differed sharply on
matters. which 1t was obvious, We're
of considerable moment. A further
and the letter in answer from the en-
gineer in question were subsequently
submitted. Their conclusions were as
much at variance as before, and they
left me, at least, in doubt as to which
course should be adopted in the inaugu-
ration of this great work.
"A layman may, without embarrass-
ment, confess to some confusion when
experts differ. After a full reconsidera-
ton of the subject, l was led to. the
belief that we, could make up our minds
as to the points at issue, much more
readily, II We could have a conference
or series of conferences at which the
engineers Of the advisory commission
the engineers appointed by me, perhaps
other experts and members Of the
Board of Trade engaged in a study OF
the problem, could meet, maxi inqul-
rfes and exchange views and discuss
the subject matter informally. In the
same message, ! gave it as, my settled
conviction that the city should acquire
the whole OF the meadow tract, to-
gether with the bay frontage, for uni
form treatment and the highest char
acter of development for manufacturing
and commercial purposes.
Suggestion Not Followed.
Your honorable body itself, and a
conference of officials and citizens
called by you. Endorsed the suggestion
for the purchase of the whole meadow
tract in such terms as left no doubt OF
their approval. To this phase Of the
subject | will recur later.
There has as yet, however, been no
conferences on the preliminary plans,
although 1 renewed my recommends
ton to this effect in my last annual
message in as strong terms as / could
command, all things being considered.
! now repeat this recommendation and
recall to YOU minds the necessity of
starting this mammoth undertaking in
the best way. / would point out to you
that we gain nothing by delay in con-
sideration, | would be the last person
in the world to urge haste in the be-
ginning of operations before feeling
assured that the plan of procedure was
the best, simply hat it might. be said
that a start a been made. On the
other hand. when | had become CON
WINGED that the right way had been
found. | would not be deferred from
proceeding by merely captious criti-
cisms. !,
such protests are always heard
when any matter of magnitude liz
preached. !, for one, am thoroughly
convinced that the people at large of
Newark are in favor of reclaiming ire
meadows, that they want the work