Perth Amboy evening news., 1916-12-28

More than one hundred and fifty
of Perth Amboys citizens gathered In
Elks hall last night to pay high trlp-
ute to Ferd Garretson as the retiring
mayor of the city and to welcome and
honor John F. Ten Brock as the in
coming chief executive. over three
hundred men had clamored for per-
mission to sit at the event, but there
was accomm odation for but half that
number Men of varied ponticaI and
other faiths gathered at the festive
board for the occasion. Although the
honored guests were Republicans,
they were lauded by Democrats as
well as G. O. p. adherents. The
praises of the distinguished speakers
covered the city, its rapid growth, Its
big strides along industrial lines and
its good citizenship. While announc-
ing that he was not anxious to COM
nit himself as a federal official, Unit
ed States Senator-elect Joseph S. FIRE.
linghuysen, one of the principal
speakers of the evening, extolled the
necessity of a merchant marine for
this country, said ship canal
through New Jersey would be of
great benefit to the state and nation,
talked for national preparedness and
declared one of the greatest problems
to be faced was the feeding of the
country's growing population.
In opening the speechmaking part
of the ceremonies Senator-elect Frel-
inghuysen said he was glad to be
back in Perth Amboy to pay tribute to
SO able mayor as Ferd Garretson and
to extend good wishes, God speed and
good luck to the incoming mayor,
John F. Ten Brock. While announc-
ing that he was not inclined to story
telling on such occasion, he would tell
To 10 q a IN
ering with variety of new ones.
The senator-elect lauded Perth AM
boy as a growing and prospering ccm-
munity. He said it's great composite
population made hard problems for
the men who worked to safely guide
it through it's destinies, and he pro-
ceeded to tell about some of the ardu-
Gus duties of chief executive of a city
of this kind. Men who successfully
conducted the affairs of IN office of
this kind, he said, deserved the loyal
support of every good citizen. He
praised Mayor Garretson as capable,
conscientious and Woodworking .omc-
ial and said he deserved the honor
bestowed upon him. .f5jsss = ,
The senator-elect took this occasion
to tell the citizens of Perth Amboy
that he would be a public servant for
all the people and not for any one
party. group or Individual. He said
II was men like Ferd Garretson who
helped make life worth. living in this
free country, and stated the land
off1ce. He stated that good men
brought about the needed conditions
and made society the better
At this juncture Mr.. Fl elinghuysen
made slight reference to some of the
nations problems of the future. He
dwelled largely upon the proposition
Of feeding the country in proper
manner and referred to the freight
congestion of today. He said he did
might be, but he did know the feed
Ing Of the population and the ques-
tion of proper food distribution were
great problems that would have to be
solved in the future. In that connec-
tion he said the country must have
ships flying the American flag to carry
ON trade with the world and that a
ship canal as was proposed through
this state would be of great benefit.
Thomas F. Armstrong, of Philadel-
phia and Perth Amboy, lifelong
friend of Mayor Garretson, drew tears
as he extolled the virtues of and gave
praise to the mayor as only so close
an acquaintance could. He said he
knew his heart, his head and his i'm
pulses and claimed him a real man
among men. The speaker said he had
pride in Mr.. Garretson's achieve
ments and knew that he had been a
good mayor. Perth Amboy, he said,
was his first love and he was always
glad to be In it to meet old friends
He closed with expression of the hope
that the incoming administration
would be a genuinely successful one.
Circuit Court Judge George S. Sill
ger said Ferd Garretson had made a
good mayor. He said he had interests
In Perth Amboy. and knowing Mr..
Ten Broeck. as he did, he felt the
reins of government would be as
safe in his hands as they were in