Perth Amboy evening news., 1911-03-22

In commenting yesterday on the
commerce that would run through the
Delaware and Raritan c%auas IL that
waterway were thrown open for the
free use Of vessels, we referred to the
fact that several Erie canal boats were
being o%verhauled at the drydocks here.
We do not believe the people Of this
lefty realize what the industries along
our water front mean to the prosperity
- Perth Amboy. The fact that these
boats come here from the Erie canal
and others from the Long Island sound
for repairs and supplies, means that
thousands Of dollars are being brought
into this city from points all along the
coast.
Take one Of these steam canal boats
in particular. The vessel has praetic-
ally been rebuilt at one Of the local
drydocka. II was abandoned last fall
down Long Island sound. The craft
is owned by a man who operates along
the Erie canal, between Albany and
Buffalo, but he said he would gladly
come down this way Ii the toll on the
Delaware and Raritan canal was rea-
sonable. He has other boats here for
business. He has spent $4,000 on this
Perth Amboy to be put in condition for
repairs. He has spent $4,000 on this
boat alone. Not only has the rebuild
ing Of this boat given employment to
residents Of this city, but the fitting
out of the cabin also means trade for
local merchants. For instance, In one
corner Of the cabin was a large
Kitchen range. This range had been
bought at a Perth Amboy store. There
was 8 large rocker and several other
chairs In the cabin, all Of which had
been bought at Perth Amboy stores.
The floor was covered with linoleum,
also bought at q Perth Amboy store.
There was plumbing work and other
fixtures which had been done by Perth
Amboy mechanics. This man has been
living on his boat and has been buying
all his groceries and supplies from
Perth Amboy merchants. This boat In
particular has a home port in Newark,
N. Y, a small city on the Erie canal.
The boat has probably been completed
by this time and has left Perth Am.
boy, moving toward New York and up
the Hudson river waiting for the open
ing OF the Erie canal.
But this Is only one instance. There
have been hundreds of others, and
there will be hundreds more. Vessels
come here 10 remain but q short time
while repairs are made. They not only
bring thousands of dollars into the city
in having these repairs done here, but
while the vessels are In this port all
the supplies are bought here and Of
ten much of the equipment for these
vessels are purchased from local mer-
chants. This is a large transient trade
which comes to Perth Amboy one week
and In a few weeks is gone, perhaps
eve to return. During the short stay,
however, it has left with us money that
continues to circulate and makes bust.
ness prosperous,
We have called attention 10 thii
merely as an instance to show what
the shipping industry means to this
city. Every boat that comes into this
port mean so-much more business fol-
every line Of trade in Perth Amboy
This is something to be cultivated. Th,
port should be carefully guarded and
everything done to bring shipping here
As we have said before, the opening
of the Delaware and Raritan cana
would be one Of the greatest blooms tina,
this harbor could have. Hundreds o,
boats which are now compelled to dis
charge at Jersey City, owing to tn.
inability TO go through the Delawar.
and Raritan canal while the excessiv,
tolls exist, would eome past here ant
on up the river to New Brunswick ant
across to the Delaware. These YES
sells, In many cases, would stop her,
for repairs and supplies. II woult
make our harbor TEEN with commerc,
and give us a prosperity never befor,
equalled. Let us guard ~jealously GU
water interests and do all we can I,
extend the business Of this port.
REFUSED TO ATTEND CAUCUS.
1t seems that machine politicians al