Perth Amboy evening news., 1919-01-08
EVERYBODY,S OPINION WANTED

EVEKYBOU1 OFINION WANlED
The publication yesterday of three communications on the pro-
posed memorial for the soldiers shows the interest the people are TAX
ing in the subject. 1t means that Perth Amboy is going to have a suit
able memorial and that it is going to be one worthy of the boys who
offered their lives for their country, and also one that will be a credit
to the city.
The EVENING NEWS would like very much to get a further
expression of opinion on this important matter. Surely there must be
hundreds of people who would like to express themselves as to what
form the memorial should take. Mothers and fathers of the boys who
are in the service, particularly the parents of those who gave up their
lives in the great cause, ought to be deeply interested and they could
probably give some idea Of what would please those in whose honor
tie ~ .orial is to be erected.
1t is pretty generally agreed that the memorial should take the
form of something useful. Thus far three ideas have been advanced
One is the Liberty Building or great public Lyceum; another is a new
city hall, while the third is a memorial park. 1t is desirable to have
the public express their opinion of these a s well as offer any new sug
gesti9ns that may occur to them. Perhaps someone has heard of a
memorial. that is to be erected in some distant cty-something that is
new and original; why not offer the suggestion to Perth Amboy to
be considered with the rest in order that this city may have the widest
choice and finally adopt something that will be the best in every par
iicularY
Write your ideas OF a piece of paper and send it % bring it tic the
EVENING NEWS Office. Be sure to sign your name and add your adj
dress also in order that you may be identified if there should happen
10 be another person of the same name in the city. There is nothing to
be dihdent about in a matter of this kind. II S going to be a peoples
memorial and the people should have the say as to what form it should
take. Speak frankly, therefore, and don't be afraid to let the public
know who is speaking.
Realizing that many of our citizens are not accustomed to writing
letters, especially in English, the EVENING NEWS will gladly see
HAT the letters are properly presented without changing the meaning
in any way. What is desired is a general public expression on this
subject. There ought to be scores of letters coming in to the EVEN
ING NEWS Office bringing the thoughts of the people on this import
ant memorial proposition. 1t is only by such an expression of opin
ion that those who will be entrusted with the responsibility of erecting
the memorial can be guided as to what the people want.
The EVENING NEWS aims TO be the medium through which the
people of this community can express themselves pubicaly. 1t makes
no difference whether the opinion expressed agrees with the stand
taken by this paper or not the opinion will receive every consideration,
and this applies to any topic whatever. Only if there is to be criticism
of any sort it must be constructive criticism and entirely free of malice
or personal animosity. 1t is absolutely essential that the name and
address of the writer be given, preferably for publication Any per
son who feels strongly enough on a subject to write to the press about
ing his name published along with his communication. But should
EVENING NEWS will respect those. wishes, but the name and address
of the writer must appear somewhere on the letter a an indication of
good faith, although it is not to be published.
The EVENING NEWS feels that its first duty is to serve those
who pay it twelve cents a week. It their newspaper. 1t must be
their champion in everything. That is the reason why it is so insistent
at the present+ime to get a public expression on the proposed memo
rial for the soldiers. 1t wants to find out what the people want. IL
wants TO be sure that a memorial is planned that will be of the greatest
service TO the people. Being assured of that all the influence that this
newspaper has win be put behind that idea in an effort to see that it
Is accomplished. Now is the time to criticize and suggest before any
particular plan has been finally fxedupon. 1t is not helping the city
to reserve such criticism and faultfnding until after the memorial
has been built. A more general discussion on all public matters would
be beneficial all around. Let's get everybody viewpoint on the sol
diers' memorial right now.