Perth Amboy evening news., 1918-07-09
The City's Celebration

When the committee of 100 appointed by Mayor TenBroeck to
arrange for a fitting celebration of the ciy's 2OOth anniversary of
the granting of the charter, meets tonight we hope it will consider
very carefully the conditions under which we are living at this time
and the great strain which the people are already undergoing.
A fitting celebration for a city of this size is no slight UNDER
taking. It must be done right if T. is to be done at all. The great
mass Of people, while thoroughly approaching the Importance of this
historical event, are SO engrossed these days in the making Of history,
that they hardly have the time or the inclination to go 80 far into
the past to find work to do.
Just at present there is a slight lml in war activities and every
one is trying to get a little rest. We all know what is in store for us
in the fall. There is a Liberty Loan campaign-the greatest ever
coming, that must be prepared for, and whatever energy and vitality
we have should be stored up for this great task.
1t would not be well for Perth Amboy to be engrossed with a
celebration all her own at a time when the nation is in a life and
death struggle for the principle on which it is founded.
We do not know what the executive committee of the Committee
of 100 is going to report tonight. We know that we all regret that
we are not able to concentrate on this momentuous event and observe
it as it should be observed. But that is impossible. AS keen as our
disappointment may be, therefore, let us face conditions as they are
and put every ounce of ability and energy that we may have into
winning the war. That is the one big thing before us now.
incidentally, is it right to spend even so much as $4,000 which
the Board of Aldermen has appropriated for the anniversary cele-
b ATTIC for such hr 2 purpGsei Today, t%h no we are spending ? r dago money
today when there is such untold misery and suffering in the world,
are we justified in "blowing I'M any money whatever on a matter
that in no way will help to win the war;
When we realize the great work there is to be done in this com
munity in social and civic welfare work; when we comprehend the
enormous task Of making the community efficient, and then when
we see what small amounts of money are available for these pur-
sity's money merely for a c~eiebra6oni
Perth Amboy today is facing momentuous problems. The gov
eminent has sent workers here to carry on community welfare SER
vice. The city itself should assist in this work in every way. We
civic centers.
Only $500 has been allowed for Fairgrounds this year, when
everyone in authority from President Wilson down, is urging that
especial care be taken of the children, particularly during war time.
Yet, with only $500 for Fairgrounds for a great city of the
size and character of this, we would spend $4,000 and more IN an an
niversary celebration.
But $1,000 is nothing If a real celebration is to be held. 1t would
merely amount to an attempt to do something big and result in a
fzzle.
Rather, can we not have some observance in the churches on one
day during August with probably a mass meeting at City Hall park
or somewhere that can be arranged without COST Thus the notable
occasion wSafd not pass without notice, yet We would not take time
from our war activities or spend money that is So essential these days
IN helping to win the war.
When the Committee of 100 meets tonight let it keep foremost in
| lind the one great logan-"FIRST-WN THE WAR;"