Perth Amboy evening news., 1911-03-25
TIME TO DO SOMETHING


Board of Aldermen for the manner ia
which they are looking after the Inn
provements of our streets, we feel that
There are other things in the city that
need attention as wen as the thorough
fares. We believe Perth Amboy is big
enough and is financially able to look
latter more than one thing at a time.
while we realize that considerable
money is being spent on the fire de-
apartment this spring, we believe the
city can well afford to appropriate 81,
1000 or so for a place Of recreation for
the people of this city who at present
have no place to go on the hot summer
days.
Perth Amboy has a large foreign
population, These people conn here as
Immigrants to seek employment as la
borers in many of the industries in this
vicinity. Many of them live In tene-
ments. crowding whole families into q
few rooms, with hardly yard space to
hang out a washing, let alone a place
for getting any enjoyment from the out
of doors. It Is due these people that
the city provide something for their
welfare. Their children are turned
loose to run In the streets In constant
danger Of being run down by automo-
biles~ or other vehicles, and are con-
tinually tempted to perform crimes that
only children of the street would think
of. The tired mother with her Infant
who works hard all day to keep the
family together should have some place
besides an upstairs window, overlook
ing a rear yard or a crowded street,
where she can go to get some fresh air
and rest which she 80 sadly needs.
Paved streets are all well enough and
we rejoice that we have a Board Of
Aldermen who are progressive enough
to give them to as. Tt is also neces-
sary that our fire department be kept
thoroughly up-to-date. With all these
things, however, the health and happi-
ness of the citizens, particularly those
who are not well provided for In this
worlds goods, cannot be overlooked.
Many Of these people who have come
to us from foreNn shores have become
Taxpayers. In giving them some direct
benefit in the expenditure of The city's
funds there fs nothing that would bring
greater happiness into their homes than
la park and playground. To establish
such q place would show these people
that they were really receiving some
consideration and that this country has
an interest in their welfare and is do
ing everything possible TO make their
lives here pleasant ara profitable.
The city already owns a large tract
Of land which could be readily trans.
formed into such q place az we have
referred to. To be sure, 81 900 would
not go a great way In making g PARK
or thoroughly equipptng a playground.
SHOULD q playground commission be
appointed, however, composed of the
fright kind of men, and should they be
given $1,000 to spend this year, there
is no doubt that at least q start could
be made so that the people, having had
a taste OF what could be done in this
direction, would be only too glad to
[sanction any further appropriation that
the aldermen would make at some fu-
turs time. Or, IL Il is mot desired to
start so large a place at once, some of
the vacant lots In the city could be
transformed very readily. The use Of
these lots might be given by the owne
and much good work could be done.
II the city can appropriate $500 for
a Fourth Of July celebration, which Is
all over in g day, much of It going MP
in smoke, 1t surely ought to be able
to give $1,000 for something that win
be permanent and that win bring so
much happiness into SO many homes aIl
the season through.
1t is very likely that should a play
lground commission be appointed, and
the city make an appropriation Of $1,-
900 to start with, individual subscrip-
|tions and private donations could be
secured, which would make the park
and playground something really worth
while this year. The people have had
lots Of promises that they would be
Egiven places Of recreation, but thus far
nothing has bean dona a fauz wears