Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1913-10-11

tions, and at that time the supply of
potable water, at the rate of increase in
population, would have suffced for about
quarter of a century. In times Of a
freshet enough water goes down the Pas
sale Valley and runs to sea to supply the
people of North Jersey for a year IL the
water were impounded. A plan was con-
templated for a great reservoir that could
then have been erected for about SIS, 600. 900
that would have had greater capacity
than the Croton reservoir, which cost
something like $4,000, 900. The longer
this project is delayed the more expen-
siye 1t becomes. Land and materials in
crease in valuation. 1t was a project
that would require several administra-
lions to complete. / went out of office
and the project lags l make no criti-
cism upon my successors. They had other
important projects and this was one that
fell by the wayside. Six years passed
with but little progress
1t is a system of this kind that makes
the government expensive and inadequate
and permanent reform will never be pos
sible until we plan the business of the
State just as we would the business of
a corporation. 1t is only one Of the many
illustrations that could be used. A State
lives forever and its work must be car
ried on to meet its increasing needs, just
as a schoolhouse should be planned with
a view to additions. Now we have in
dustrial, educati onal, social, economical
and police problems. They are a part of
the development of our Commonwealth
They must he worked out. not by one,
but by successive administrations. Our
State highways, along the coast and in
land, have been a source of great advan-
tage to our State and are important to
factory and farm, to travel and seacoast,
and yet we are not building roads that
stand the test. for our road repairs
greatly exceed the outlay for new roads.
This fact proves that a better and more
permanent system of road building must
be adopted.
New Jersey is essentially transporta-
tion State. All of the great trunk lines
of the country have their terminals
within our borders. We are bounded by
two great rivers and one great ocean
and our railroads and our shipping inter-
ests supplement each other. \ trans
state ship canal has been recommended
by the engineers of the rational gov
eminent and is of vital interest to our
Commonwealth. Some uf your public
spirited citizens here have lo1ected a
system of docks that, If completed, will
add to your shipping facilities and re-
duce your freight rates.
There are other cognate enterprises.
would provide for their proper develop
the title of public works, which would
include the construction of State high
ways, State control of potable water sup
plies, inland waterways, ship canal, de-
yelopment of our seacoast anu bathing
beaches, docking facilities for our large
cities, the preservation of our forests and
streams, scientific disposal of sewage and
abolition and protection of grade cross
ings In this connection the boards of
trade could be made advisory and help
full in eo-ordinating the work of the State
with the needs of the public.
With one Department OF Public Works
with one head all the topics have men
ton and kindred topics could be co-ordi-
mated The State would then have one
highAsalaried official with a number of
assistants, each In charge of his respec-
tive branch, just as the assistant secre-
tary of state has charge today of the
automobile department
The primary object of a State govern
ment is for service to the people. Over
in Germany they make their schools the
aid of their workshops and their factories,
their farms and their business enterprises.
They have schools over there to teach
chimney sweeps. Their government is
government indeed which renders real
service to the people. The. referendum
may be governmental problem. but the
poor man who wants to send his son or
daughter through college has much more
interest in what the State is doing in the
way OF education. That government is
the best government that deyotes its
energies to help the individual citizen, the
mer, the laborer, the educator, to solve
each his respective problems and better
his condition. This important function of
the, State, involving its industrial, social
head of service" including education,
development of agriculture. the labor
bureaus, the work of enforcing the laws
concerning child labor safety of life,
hygienic conditions surrounding those who
toll, the proper construction OF tenement
houses so as to provide proper light and
prohibiting excessive hours OF
toll for women and children and the uplift
Of workers generally, the work under the
direction of the State Board of Health for
the prevention of all kinds of diseases,
the enforcing of pure food laws the work
Of charities and corrections. This classih-
cation would accomplish at least three
would be a distinct announce
ment by the State that it was ready to
serve the people; that each individual had
a right to look for its assistance and It
would enable those public-spirited citi-
zens, men aud women, who are interested
In various social and industrial reforms
to intelligently and effectively cooperate
with the government in their respective
lines.
The greatest statesman in the world
today, with the exception, of course, OF
our own President, Is Emperor William,
Of Germany. He is great because he
realizes that 1t is the duty OF the gov