The Penn's Grove record., 1915-06-18
A Penn Memorial Bridge Wanted
SeaIer of Weights and Measures
Elected.

OA@A
mortal Bridge across the Delaware River
at Camden, to connect that city with
Philadelphia, and which, with all South
Jersey included, in closer bonds of com
mercial betterment.
Mr.. Richard L. Ceilings, Of Ceilings
wood, the secretary of the committee,
II the moving genius in the enterprise,
addressed the Board, setting forth the
objects and work of the committee, stat
ing that it is the purpose of the commit
tee to enlist the moral and financial sup
port of the South Jersey counties, in or
der that a preliminary survey may be
made for the construction of the bridge,
in accordance with a law passed by the
New Jersey Legislature in 1914, author
ling the appointment of a Joint Com
mission with Pennsylvania to conduct
the active work. To insure the Sic, 900,
or so much Of such sun as may be need
ed, to provide for a preliminary survey,
the South Jersey counties are being ask
ed to furnish this money. Mr.. Ceilings
stated that the committee had presented
the matter to all the counties, Salem be-
ing the last, and they had all unanimous
ly and hardly endorsed the project, and
that the Camden County Board of Free
holders had appropriated $4,000 for the
work, Burlington one-fourth of the sum,
and Atlantic, Cape May and Gloucester
had voted to assist the enterprise, and
they wanted Salem county to join the
other counties. He belle we'd that better
communication and more improved trans
portation facilities between New Jersey
and Philadelphia would greatly enhance
the material prosperity of South Jersey
and benefit the farmers. He declared
Philadelphia to be as heartily in favor
of the project as New Jersey. He said
that the large automobile traffic that now
used the limited ferry accommodations
at Camden caused a seriously %congested
condition, and absolutely demanded a
bridge to relieve it. and that this condi-
ton would become worse, and for this
reason the need for a bridge is increasing
ly imperative.
Mr.. Edward H. Cutler, of Moorestown
president of the committee, and Ex-May-
or Rockhill, of Woodlynne, endorsed the
statements of Mr.. Collins and urged
Salem county to join the other counties
i'll standing back of this great public en-
terprise.
Clerk Keasby figured out, on the basis
of the ratables OF the several counties
Atlantic with over $l13, 900, 600 and Cam
den with over $98, 00O, 900 and Salem only
a little over SIC, 900, 000,-that this coun-
ty's proportion would be about one
fortieth OF the sum needed or about
500.
The law passed by the Legislature of
1914 provides that the counties becoming
responsible for the enterprise bind them
selves to a bond issue, on the basis of
their ratables, to the building of the
bridge, estimated to cost some fourteen
million dollars, which would mean, on
the basis mentioned, about a $3.50, 900 bond
issue for Salem county.
The members of the Board felt t that
they would not be justified in bonding
Salem county in snch an amount, though
all believed that such a bridge ought to
be built.
The visitors did not insist on the Board
taking such a step. but they did ask that
they might have the moral support oil
the county in the enterprise. On motion
Of Mr.. Burk, Director Gray named the
Finance Committee to prepare such a res
o%lution, without any financial obligation
being assumed by the county and present
the same to the next meeting.
Howard G. Hitchner, of Woodstown was
elected County Sealer of Weights and
Measures to succeed j. Hartley Brown,
resigned. His salary was set at $400 and
500 to pay expenses.
Mr.. Griscom, of the Committee on
Supplies to the County Jail, reported
twenty-slx prisoners in the Jail, fourteen
whites and twelve colored, with a cost of
maintenance of $94. 81 or an average cost
of eleven cents.
Mr.. Smith called attention to the need
of repairs OH the Penns Grove stone road.
which Engineer Keasbey stated is sub
lected to a heavy traffic, out of propor-
ton to the character of the road, and it
was advised that it be patched with stone
with a light covering of gravel, until
such time as more permanent repairs
can be made. The matter was left with
Mr.. Smith and County Road Supervisor
Patrick, with power to purchase two or
three carloads of stone.
Mr.. Smith presented a request of the
DUPONT Powder Company to oil a portion
of the Penns Grove and PennsyilIe roads
at their own expense. The request was
granted, providing that the oil be used is
satisfactory to County Engineer Keasbey.
lie stating that some oils are deleterious.
to roads, and o II OF any particular adj
vantage except to lay the dust.
Mr.. Powers presented a resolution,
which was adopted, providing for the
erection of a new span of the Penns Neck
bridge, which had given out. 1t was
further damaged by a heavy auto truck
OF the Childs' Company breaking through
the planking OF the bridge las week, and
also breaking the eye beams, which were
too week for the heavy traffic now in use.
Mr.. Griscom reported the Warrington
Hill bridge completed, and work in cut |
ting down the hill is now under way by
County Road Supervisor Patrick.
Engineer Keasbey and the committee
on the proposed new bridge at Davis
mill, over Oldmans Creek, between
Salem and Gloucester counties. present.
ed plans for the bridge, and the matter |
was laid over until the July meeting. to
get bridges now under construction out of
the way.
1t was decided tie rebuild Fits bridge, !
at Alloway, of concrete.
A resolution was passed to limit the
speed over all bridges at five miles an hour |
the bridge tender or overseers was
authorized to see that the fine was en- |
forced, $40. They are to get auto numbers |
and report.
The Director and County Collector were
authorized to borrow $2925 on note, from
the City National Bank OF Salem, pay
able on or before Dec. 81, 1916, also a loan |
of $250O from Mary E. Allen, with like
conditions.
Mr.. Burk reported that stone road at
at Nortonville bridge III need of repairs.
The matter was left with Engineer Keasby |
and Supervisor Patrick.
WOOdstOwn Whisperings