Perth Amboy evening news., 1919-02-27
THE SOLDIERS, MEMORIAL.

EDITOR EVENING NEWS
1t is quite interesting to read the
views of our citizens as to what shape
n memorial should take in honor of
the brave boys who took up arms in
the great war to max the world a
safe place to live in. n public build
ing, an armory, a monument and a
memorial park. All are very COM
mendable suggestions. The plan for a
park now on exhibition in Reynolds
Bros window. seems to strike the pub
lie ave and the city already owning
the property is a good beginning. II
is argued that vegetation, grass, or
even weeds will not gro on the pro-
posed park site on account of the
proximity OF af industry admitting
that grass does not grow there now
with the proper preparation of the
soil and the right kind of seed, grass
will grow there and trees and vegeta-
ton, too, when porperly cared for.
Grass does not even grow in Central
Park, New York city. 1t requires con-
slant care and attention. Since the
city through neglect to protect the
end of First street from the action OF
he water quite a crop of grass grows
there every year SO thick and long
that you'd need a scythe to cut il
and weeds about eight feet high.
Tho argument that grass and weeds
VIII not grow there does not hold
good. 1t has been said the more suit
able place for the memorial would be
the northep OF hill section of the
city. In warm weather you do not see
people going to that section of the
city in search OF a cool place, but YOU
DO see them in large numbers going
to the shore front to enjoy bathing
IN the cooling breezes from the bay.
1t is felt that whatever form the
memorial will take il should be built
where the public will derive the most
benefit from it. AS suggested by our
efficient alderman from the first ward
q double line of trees on the west side
OF the park site to shut out the rail-
road and the proximity of an indus
TRY is a good idea, and can be amend
ed so as to have a privit hedge on
poth sides. Let II grow up to any
either side of those trees and trimmed
desired height, which will form a
perfect screen. The foliage is not af-
iected by insects or anything else and
is nearly evergreen.
1t has been said that the Gregory
property was formerly purchased for
the use of an ocean steamship term
maj. In my opinion it would not be
me proper place for such an under
taxing not area enough to begin with
ana too for from the channel. As re-
Gently suggested I'm your valuable pa
SAN IA0o VI OQI olECtlS where they
front on deep water. by building
docks out thercfrom and having large
ocean steamships moored one on each
Slde where delivery OF freight would
De easy Of access. is a feasible plan.
Inese streets could be used for that
purpose, Buckinghma avenue, Wash
lngton street, Fayette street, Market
street. city dock property and Gordon
street. all of which are on or close to
deep water. and as the necessity
arises for more docks let the properly
be purchased in between those streets
f1 railroad facilities the Lehigh
Valley railroad can be extended
along the waetr front as the necessity
arises.
The city already owns n good part
OF the water front property etwee
Fayette and Gordon streets, Bayvie,,
Park front and city dock property ac-
quire the strip between Market and
Smith streets, build a bulkhead on the
prope Rhine, fill it in, pave 1t, making
a great ocean steamship terminal
out of Front street. Our water front
is Certainly Il best asset, but we
must set some of it aside for tho rec
reation and health of our people.
Perth Amboy. Feb. "a. 1919.
Yours truly.
I. j. SMITH