Perth Amboy evening news., 1911-02-23

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II Is with no little surprise that we note the sudden change in
Mayor Bollehweilers attitude regarding the appointment of q
: playground commission It is hard to understand just exactly
< what is meantsby his latest statement in this regard. Up to the
present time the mayor has been enthusiastically in favor of play
grounds AT the public meeting held in the high. school, which was
attended by a large number of representative citizens, he declared
that he was in sympathy with the movement and promised to do
what he could to further it. In his annual message to the Board of
Aldermen he stated that he proposed to name a playground CON-
mission and expressed the hope that the aldermen would concur in
his action Later, in an interview with a NEWS reporter, he an
nounced definitely that he would surely appoint a playground COM
mission and the names would be presented to the Board of Alder
men either at the meeting held Monday night just past or at the
next meeting. Realizing that nothing could be done until the mayor
had appointed this commission, and having his assurance that one
would surely be appointed, the advocates of the playground have
allowed the matter to rest for the time being, feeling that there was
nothing further to do until the commission was ready to take up
its work.
1t seems the mayor has misunderstood this silence on the part
OF the hackers Of the playground, taking it to mean that interest
has died out and that there is no further demand for the recreation
centers. 1t was not supposed that, after the mayor had definitely
announced that he would appoint a commission, it would be neces-
sary to continually harp on the subject urging him to do that which
he had already agreed to do. 1t seems, however, that the mayor
is OF a very changeabe disposition and, by his action in this regard,
he gives notice that if anything is to be accomplished he must be
continually bounded, even after he has promised to perform the act
until the performance is fulfilled.
The mayor will find that the playground movement is not dead
by any means, and now that he has shown the people that he can
not be depended upon to keep his word unless the agitation is con-
tinualy before him, he will get all the public sentiment that he
desires.
Taking the mayors interview, as published in the EVENING
NEWS Tuesday, We would like to know how he can make his re-
peated declaration that he would appoint a playground commission
at once, conform with hlsla latest statement that he has postponed the
appointment of a commission ~ldefnitelyG He says that he has gone.
over the list of ehgibes, carefully, and approached a number of peo-
pile to see if they would serve OF the board. 1t would be interesting
to know who are o n the mayors eligible list"
If the mayor has nothing but the interest of the city and the
welfare of the children at heart, we do not believe that he has yet
exhausted the list of persons who would make excellent playground
commissioners. He says he has found no encouragement among re-
sponsible people. We would like to know who the mayor considers
are responsible" people. 1t would be all the more interesting to
know this because he goes on to say that those he has approached
have declined to serve ON the commission because it is without sal
airy and of no particular honor. Accepting this a a standard of the
men 'seen" by the mayor we do not believe he has yet seen the
real responsible persons, for such persons would not look upon
that those he has approached want a salary further shows that he
has not reached the right ones Men appointed on q plavproundl
commission ought to be enthusiastic in the cause and glad to do all
the work necessary for the sake of the future of the city. We are
certain such men can be found here. To say they cannot is a SANDER
on Perth Amboy.
The mayor goes on to say that he does no. think the situation
warrants any haste and that the city is not in a position, at this
tune, to spendk al i money necessary to equip the playground. Hell
further says that the appointment of the right sort of commissioners
IS a necessity. What the mayor means by all of this is hard to con-
template. We are not aware that the city is in such hard straits
that it cannot properly take care of its children, and we arr. also
sure that if the playground commission is to be of any use ali all
this summer it ought to be appointed at once. We heartily agree
with the mayor when he says the right sort of commissioners should
he appointed. But we arc not altogether certain that we agree with
him as to what right sort" means.
The mayor says that he is only a servant of the people. We are
glad he realizes this. He wants additional popular sentiment to
show that the playground movement is favored and declares that
some property owners and prominent citizens have recently al
preached him and advised against the appointment of a commission.
1t would be interesting to know just who these property owners y
ana prominent citizens e. Ihey must a great deal OF in
huenee to offset such an expression of public sentiment as was given
at the meeting in the high school, recently. A large number of cihk
zens expressed themselves publicly IS heartily in favor of the play
grounds. 1t is to be regretted that the mayor could not find it con-
venient to remain throughout the evening at that meeting and hear
what was said. 1t is also to be regretted that other public officials
found it nconvenient to be present that night. Because they were
not there does not mean that the people IT not thoroughly aroused
to the necessity of public Fairgrounds in Perth Amboy. Besides
the sentiment shown at this meeting, the press of the city is united
in favor of the movement and numerous articles have been pub
ished showing that Fairgrounds are being established ia all the pro-
gre&Ive cities throughout the country.
This is the first intimation we have had that the ~~ayor needed
more sentiment to convince him that Fairgrounds were desired.
Had he not entered into the movement so heartily and promised to
do all be could, it is probable that there would have been a great
deal more sentiment expressed before this Before he gets through
the mayor will understand thoroughly that those back of the play
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