Perth Amboy evening news., 1917-03-09
BOARD OF TRADE BANQUET
OPENS new PACKER HOUSE
tcontlnued from page u

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New Brunswick, said that it was a
duty and a pleasure 70 rhim to be
present last night. He said that the
hotel stood for progress and achieve
ment He told of the splendid part
they had played in civic affairs and
that 1t is the modern idea to erect one
IN city of this size.
Senator Florance emphasized the
relationship existing between the city
and the state. He told OF the good
work being done by the state and said
the people should think in terms of
the state and not in terms of the city
at present.
Public Utility Commissioner Alfred
S. March, of New Brunswick, was in
troduced as one of Governor Edges
best appointments. The commissioner
took occasion to poke fun at several
Of the persons present and number
unable TO attend. He spoke in lighter
vein, and his talk was highly enjoya-
BILE.
Robert Carson. president of the
New Brunswick Board of Trade, made
plea for cooperation with the Board
of Trade, and for the cooperation of
New Brunswick and this city, whose
interests are so closely allied.
He said that the work of the
Board of Trade here, and the pro-
gress of the county's metropolis were
an incentive to New Brunswick, and
made the statement that Perth Am
boy can be the Pittsburgh of the
state if the proper cooperation and
spirit of progress prevail.
Mr.. Carson also spoke of the ship
canal, proposed to pass through this
state, with its entrance at Cheese
quake Creek. He said that its value
to this city would be inestimable,
and visualized great dreadnaughts
and steamers anchored in the bay,
below the lighthouse, ready TO go
through the canal.
He said that there are wants in
this city to be supplied and again
asked for cooperation with the
Board of Trade in bringing about
these needed reforms and improve
ments.
Former Judge Adrian Lyon told of
the historic side OF this city, and quot
ed from several histories of the state,
which speak of the city at that time,
the stage coach lines running from
Philadelphia to this place, and to
ther sections of the state. He quoted
the book of Johannes Mellick, about
his travels through this section, and
of the two rival hostelries here at the
time, with prices for everything con-
, trolled by the general assembly. He
spoke of the great progress here in
the last thirty years and ended with
plea for a higher ideal in municipal
affairs than the material.
]. Spencer Smith. OF Tenafiy, presi-
dent of the State Board of Commerce
and Navigation, told OF the fight
waged by that board to have the deci-
sion of the Interstate Commerce Com
mission on the llghterage matter de-
cided in thier favor. He explained
the work OF the board and the situa-
tion in shipping materials to the port
of New York, where the discrimina-
tion in rates is charged. He said that
the board, nor the state have backed
water on the Issue, and that there are
as much in favor Of IL as ever.
He said that the board did not
want divided port of New York, but
he said that they wanted the same
service as is rendered to the state OF
New oYrk. He told of the need OF
belt line railroad through the state,
touching Perth Amboy and proceed
ing to Hudson county.
He touched on the tremendous ad-
vantage to this city OF the water 'front.'
age and urged proper development
of it.
I5r. William E. Ramsay gave a
witty talk on the opening\ of the
Packer House which he character4
izal afIuA lgoodIre'lsiDessslproppsitieFy
far from the corner of Smith and
High streets because of the ferry
traffic there. He said that the corner
was a pivotal point in traffic through
this state, particularly for automo-
bile travel
John Pfeiffer spoke of his pleasure
at the opening of the hotel which, he
said, will give Perth Amboy some
thing II has never before had.
John N. Peterson, a former pro-
prietor of the hotel and a local bust
ness man, told of old associations at
the hotel and urged support of the
proprietor of the hotel He said that
he wanted to make it clear, once and
for all time, that he wishes the pro-
prietor "all kinds of luck" and said
that he was absolutely sincere in his
wishes to Mr.. Floersch, and pointed
out a letter published on April Z,
1916, in a local paper, as a guaran-
tee of his good faith toward him.
Mr.. Peterson said, THE old Pack
er House was a leaky old boat, and
when she finally went down I almost
went down with her.