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

lie comfort stations where it may seem
desirable.
b Celebration of independence Day.
Sentiment in favor of what has been
aptly termed a "safe and saner celebra-
ton of the anniversary of independence
of the nation has been growing through
out the country within the last decade.
The number of persons killed or iseri-
ously injured, many OF them young
children, and the property loss through
fire resultant upon the explosion of py-
rotechnics. have awakened the public
to the consideration that there is a bet
ter way of observing the national birth
day han by killing or manning the citi-
zens and burning their houses. A num-
Der of cities, particularly in New Eng
land, nave offered as a substitute, with
notable success, public pageants illus
trating events in municipal and ma
tional history and other subjects. The
official celebration of the day in Newark
was confined, until the ear just ended,
to the setting off of fireworks in the
evening in q convenient place. The last
celebration, under the auspices of the
Common Council, was upon a somewhat
more extended scale, but it did not en-
brace the idea of q pageant such as /
have described. This idea, | confess,
appeals to me very strongly, and /
would like to see it tried in this city
Doubtless the cooperation of the schools
and OF many societies. patriotic and
otherwise, could be readily secured. AS
properly TO organize a pageant that
should do credit to the city would re-
~.t-N - 11-ll1-,L IT,
I would suggest hat this recommended
ton be taken under early consideration.
Official journal.
1t is a common saying tina Newark
is by no means as well known through
out the country as her population,
unique location and environment. her
vast business interests and her poten-
tial wealth warrant. Even among our
own citizens there is considerable ig-
n~orance with regard to the city's insti-
tutions and resources. A great many
other municipalities have obtained q
large measure OF profitable advertising
by means of official publications issued
at regular intervals and containing
statistics and other data in convenient
form. Among such may be mentioned
Denver. Philadelphia, San Francisco
and Cleveland. l recommend that the
Council consider the ACCESSIBILITY of
such a journal in his city. II need not
in any way conflict with the praise
| worthy effort which the Board of Trade
is now making to advertise the city's
advantages. but could be conducted in
such a manner as to be Of effective aid
TO that campaign.
Dental Clinic.
An association for the purpose OF
maintaining dental clinics was or
ganiZed during the year. and 1t has
shown itself to be of great benefit to
the city. Its sphere of usefulness, how
ever, is limited by the fact that 1t has
insufficient equipment. / would recon-
mend that the Common Council, IL 1t
finds 4 has the power, make a suffl-
Gent appropriation to provide the
necessary equipment for this p%rganiza-
ton.
Duties Unperformed.
1t becomes my duty again to call
attention to the fact that the city gov
an has failed to take any steps
looking to the establishment of q plant
for the lighting OF the streets by cleo
tricity, in accordance with the wish of
the people, as evinced by popular vote.
IT seems to me that this vote was rather
mandatory than permissive. and that
we are nianifestly derelict in postpon-
ing action beyond a reasonable time.
An especially urgent need of the
city has also been neglected. I do not
feel that ] am ~eXtravagant when /
say that it will not only be exceed
ingly wasteful from a purely business
point of view, but almost criminal in
a moral sense If we proceed much
longer under our present building code.
No one can estimate, with any APP
proach to accuracy, the number of
dwellings. factories and commercial
structures which will go up in this
city in the mex five years. Certainly
they will aggregate thousands. Every
improper construction not only multi
plies the fire hazard, but imperils life
and health. We cannot afford to trifle
with this subject any longer.
A Word to the Public.
In concluding this message / desire
to remind the citizens generally that
q duty rests upon them, as well as
upon the officials. to make whatever
preparation lies In their power for the
vast increase of population which we
may reasonably expect within a few
years. There is an opportunity, as I
see it, to make Newark unique among
great manufacturing cities. Manufac-
turing Is the very life b of our exist
ence as a city. but we can, without
hampering u great industries, devise
means to render their operations free
from the customary annoyances and
discomforts. The home of the work.
ingman cannot, In the nature of things,
ever be. palatial. but 1t can be neat and
prepossessing. Our merchants can be
made to realize that u%nslghtly billboard
advertising is harmful to the whole
community, and ultimately TO them
selves, and that dingy places of bust
ness will not attract new custom.
There has been a remarkable awaken
ing of civic spirit in Newark recently.
but our progress will not be so fast
and SO satisfactory until every resident
puts his shoulder to the wheel. Yours
very truly,
IACOR Navor