New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-05-04
A PROGRESSIVE TOWN
What PIainfieId Has Done for
Its Inhabitants.
AFFAIRS WELL MANAGED
It Is Thought 1t Has Perma-
nently Solved the Liquor
Question.
3y Er-Mayor Charles J. Fisk Of PlainfeId.
y l.

3y Et-MayOr Charles J. Fisk Of Plainfieid.
y. J.
Nowhere IN this broad land is there
more progressive city than Plainfeld.
Only few residents OF the town do not
take an interest IN its civic welfare.
Plainfeld Is not boastful of its munich
pal achievements. and that is the reason
so little is known about how far ahead OF
the times II really Is I'm many civic mat
tiers. Il is a community governed by the
people for the welfare of all concerned.
Az the present time the city Is doing
something which few other places which
consider themselves wide awake are even
thinking about.
At a meeting held last Monday OF the
Common Council and the Board Of As
SCISSORS Il was the consensus Of opinion
that the best way TO get equality in tax
alton was TO have an advisory committee
Of citizens work with the regular Board
OF Assessors. The assessments OF the city
are TO be revised The citizens commit
tee is to be named by the Mayor. This
will be the first city IN this country whore
sppraisement work for taxing purposes IS
Jointly done by experts OF the local tax
board and citizens BY this process Of
equalization the work OF the Board OF
Assessors Will be made. 1t is thought
less onerous and as near perfect as pos
slble
Plainheld has been most fortunate for
many years as regards the character Of
the persons holding elective Offices and
also those chosen for the appointive
Offices. Mayor Stewart is a man who is
thoroughly capable OF films with honor
any Office in this country within the gift
Of the people
This is the forty-third anniversary OF
Painfed as city. IT first obtained
charter as an incorporated city in 1869.
-Four years later the charter was revised.
In 1872 Plainfeld had a population OF less
man ten thousand. to-day II has over
twenty thousand people within its borders
and II Is growing at a very lively rate.
IL has hfty-fve miles OF macadamized
streets. graded and curbed: water mains
IN all the various business and residential
districts, also gas, sewers and other mod
ern improvements. and trolley lines run
mig to and from the heart OF the city in
all directions.
shortly before 1892 the city underwent
political regeneration. utterly discarding
ie Old habit OF paying no attention 70 Its
civic matters. The upbuilding Of the city
Hhce that time has been most remark
aoe Notwithstanding its many public
improvements, its tax rate Is much less
man in many other places which have
not ,tt<1fffao
Painfeld was the first city IN this
ooon'ry, as near as ] can learn. which
soopied the chemical fire engine. Similar
uenical engines are now widely used In
AZ The big cities in this country.
fainheld has solved. think. the liquor
weston. II is not no-license town. but
Vne with high license. with the liquor
s'ofes restricted 10 well defined area OF
sne city The plan works admirably. and
an certain that other cities would bene-
~ oy taking pattern after US. The license
!" Piainheld 10 wholesalers is $1,000
',er and 10 retailers 81 200 a year.
before license is issued the prospec-
we hcensee has TO pass muster as to his
"aoiiity as the proprietor Of such
'a0e OF business. II his character is un
~.o"n or bad he has no chance at all OF
"s license. There are only seven
p'Vpretors OF retail stores and two whole
.ns In the town. think
mas been very long time since the
:. one OF those nine licenses was issued.
not likely that another one will be
en 70 anybody for some years The
'n who hold these certificates TO engage
enc ~s liquor business take every pains TO
t their business or places in a com
on. manner, and they are very jeal
a., soout the good name Of those who are
~ competitors in business
Ne are any number OF cities i'm
nv jersey where liquor license can be
TOT 1850 year and where no limit
~ ".eo on the number OF licenses issued
no,. mink Plainfield has solved the
,os question for all time Occasionally
pace will open I'D without license.