Perth Amboy evening news., 1912-11-20
THE BOARD OF TRADE.

THE BOARD OF TRADE.
The inactivity of the Perth Amboy Board Of
Trade is a matter Of regret at this time. Never
in the history of the city was there a greater
need for an active body of men, thoroughly or
ganized for the purpose of advancing the city's
interests. The present Board of Trade has had
a longer career, perhaps, than any similar OF
ganization in this city. But that is no reason
why it should now pass out Of existence, or
even enter a state of coma.
Everywhere throughout the nation cities
are becoming more and more aggressive in
presenting their claims. What is being done
in New Brunswick is known to all in this vi
cinity. The Board of Trade there is in a pros.
porous condition. MONDAY luncheons are held
at which time business men assemble and
listen to brief talks on the welfare of the city.
Isere is a harmony of action, and a spirit of
progress prevails. New Brunswick is bound to
prosper as a result.
At Trenton a Chamber of Commerce is doing
a great work, particularly along the lines of
improving the waterfront and deepening the
channel of the Delaware river. Trenton has
great ambitions for being a port where ocean
going vessels can dock. When it is realized
the distance Trenton is from the ocean one can
readily see the advantage that Perth Amboy
has over such a city. IF we were to spend one
half on our waterfront what Trenton is con-
templating spending on hers Perth Amboy
would be in a position to compete with the
leading ports on the coast.
" Taking the larger cities, we have Newark
today is recognized as the Birmingham of
America. 1t is probable that a greater variety
Of articles are manufactured in the New Jer-
sey metropolis than in any city OF America.
Newark, as far as location is concerned, is not
as we'll situated as Perth Amboy. Yet through
the aggressive campaign of her citizens she,
today, ranks among the first of the nation.
Perhaps the latest city to wake up to the
advantages of organized efforts is New York.
This may be surprising to some, but when
the great natural advantages of New York are
realized, it can be understood why such a
movement has not been put on foot before. AS
the New York Herald remarks:
"The chief trouble with this city has been
that its natural advantages have drawn to-
gether such an enormous population that few
men engaged in business here nave felt the
need for reaching out for more customers. New
York has naturally drawn them. The bust
ness man of New York, in good times, walks
on velvet"
The same trouble that has kept New York
from perfecting the advantages that nature
has given her also acts as a detriment to the
advancement of Perth Amboy. Our great in
dustries have been attracted here not by what
the people have done for the place, but be-
cause of the natural advantages to be obtained
in spite of anything the people can do. Com
petition between cities is becoming keener ev-
cry year, however, and other places are or
ganizing to make their attractions as great, if
not greater, than anything nature can do.
Where nature has been particularly kind to a
community it behooves the people to take ad-
vantage of this great asset and work onward.