Perth Amboy evening news., 1919-10-18
BRIDGE OR FERRY

Usually it was a freebooter candidate who worked the ar
gument. That was before the smaller board was adopted in
Middlesex. Both parties used it and it was handed down from
one campaign to another until it became a joke.
But even after that the bridge across the sound was used
by city candidates and they got away with it.
The matter even went so far that a sketch of the proposed
bridge was drawn. 1t showed a big suspension bridge similar
to the bridges spanning the East river between Manhattan and
Long Island. =
1t was a most ambitious project and, for a time, it was
taken real seriously.
OF recent years, however, little is heard about a bridge
across the sound at this point. AT least, no mention of it is ever
made by any of the candidates for office.
Yet, the need for a bridge between Perth Amboy and Tot
tenvile is far greater today than it was at the time when the.
agitation for it was strongest. Today we have the enormous
automobile traffic that was undreamed of at that time.
The necessity for a bridge was never felt more than it was
during the ferry strike in New York harbor. This was during
holiday in honor of Columbus.
With the ~ferryboats between Jersey City and New York
idle hundreds of automobiles came to New Jersey by way of
Staten Island, taking advantage of the municipal ferries to St
George which continued operations.
But between Tottenvile and Perth Amboy only one boat
was running. There were times when the line of automobiles.
waiting to get across was a mile or more long. 1t meant a de-
lay of several hours for autoists waiting for their turn to get on
the boat.
With a bridge over the sound this travel would have been
uninterrupted.
But it is not for the auto traffic alone that a bridge across
~Staten Island sound is desirable. The development of the island
itself largely depends upon improved facilities for connecting
with the rest of the world.
There is not a more beautiful spot anywhere within fifty
miles of New York City Hall than Staten Island, but its charm
is offset lergely by the miserable transportation service, not
only in getting back and forth to the island, but on the island
itself.
With real rapid transit on the island operated by an up
to date electric system and with direct connection to Manhat-
tan and New Jersey, Staten Island would develop more rapidly
than any other New York suburb.
81 r. -act IL odr;4toJ louovop 4Io+ f|o procpant n n
bridge between Perth Amboy and Tottenville in the near fu-
ture is not very bright. Even candidates for office sometimes
realize that the people cannot be fooled all the time There
are other issues more likely.
In the meantime, however, there is no reason why the
agitation for an additional ferry should not be carried on with
more vigor. ID
Had another ferry been in operation last Saturday after
noon and on Monday the congestion of automobiles on either
side of the sound would not have been nearly as great. Traffic
on busy days would be handled in a normal way.
AS for the direct benefit to the island, it would be most
apparent. In the first place, the Rapid Transit that now oper-
ates the only ferry across the sound at this point, would be
compelled to give better service in order to successfully COM
pete.
Better service is sadly needed.
The new ferry would offer accommodations that would
serve the public we'll and would go a great way in helping to
develop this end of the island.
Both Perth Amboy and Tottenvile are in favor of an adj
ditional ferry. Perth Amboy has even gone SO far as to grant
a franchise to a ferry company for the foot of Washington
street. The hold-up is on the Tottenvile side.
But Tottenville wants the new ferry. 1t only remains
for enough pressure to be brought to bear on the commission
er Of docks and ferries of New York to grant the necessary per
mission.
Public Service Commissioner Lewis Nixon promised a
party of Perth Amboy men while on an inspection tour OF the
Raritan river last summer, that he would be glad to cooperate
with the people of this vicinity in securing a new ferry. He
recognizes the need Of additional facilities for crossing the
sound at this point.
The influence of Mr.. Nixon in public utility matters In and
about New York is not to be ignored.
A strong committee made up of influential Perth Amboy
and Tottenville citizens, backed by Mr.. Nixon, ought to get
results.
While a bridge across the sound is the ideal thing it is
evident that it will be years before such q structure is built and
by that time it may be found more feasible to construct a We
hicular tunnel.
The fact that Perth Amboy would not permit her harbor