Perth Amboy evening news., 1919-08-13
NEWS
A MUNICIPAL

The greatest objection to Perth Amboy and Woodbridge
uniting under one municipal government would naturally be
found in the town of Woodbridge proper. But even there the
objection would be mainly from politicians and from those in
nuenced by the arguments of the political leaders, although
some might oppose it for sentimental reasons.
OF course, the political leaders imagine that their pres
tige would be lost with the amalgamation of Perth Amboy and
Woodbridge, and there are, naturally, many who hold lucrative
Offices under the township government who want to hold on as
long as they can.
But for the rank and file of the people of Woodbridge
there is much to be gained by becoming a part OF a large ana
prosperous municipality. AS far as taxes are concerned, the
tax rate in Woodbridge is already higher than is the tax rate OF
Perth Amboy, so there is nothing to be afraid of on that score.
On the other hand, Development would be much more rapid
and could be carried on in a much more extensive scale. Then,
again, Woodbridge would Immediately become the most desir-
able residential section of the city and would attract many
people there who are now trying to crowd into the narrow linn
its of Perah Amboy.
From the standpoint of the township, it is only a question
OF a short time when it will be all cut to pieces anyway. AL
ready one of the best taxable areas has been taken away
through the incorporation of the borough of Roosevelt. With
Chrome and Carteret gone a. large revenue producing section
was lost to the township. The large industries of the Fords
and Keasbey sections still remain, but they soon will become
either a separate borough or will join with Perth Amboy, the
latter being the most likely. The agitation is already on in
that section for the consumation of this idea and it is bound
to be an accomplished fact before long. Thus with her water
front cut off excepting between Port Reading and Sewaren, the
township will be left with the town of Woodbridge surrounded
by a lot of clay pits and farm land. In course of time, even
Port Reading and Sewaren are likely to separate. Rather thar
submit to a dsmemberment in this way the far-seeing people
of Woodbridge favor the whole township combining with Perth
Amboy so that while the waterfront is developed to its fullest
capacity for industrial and shipping purposes, the interior, ex-
tending up through Woodbridge, to Iselin and Golonia, would
become a handsome residential section filled with beautiful
homes with wide avenues and parks that would all go to make
up one large city at the head of Raritan bay.
1t wou}a not take a city plan expert long to realize the pos
sinbglities Of such a city. Tire new territory that would be opened
and the residences that would be built thereon would add Won
derfully to the assessable valuations and, with the right kind
"a - rarsnrc uforo rocfpiefiD0 naptajnN sections Al AS q give Is
surances to property owners that tenements, garages, and in
dustries in general would be barred therefron. there would be
no limit to the investments in handsome homes There would
be ample room to furnish this greater city with q park OF sew
eral hundred acres that would, as the city grew, become one
Of the beauty spots in the state.
AS for the system of government, there is a large element
in Woodbridge that favor commission form of government. In
fact, many in Woodbridge favor almost any kind of govern
fment as an Improvement over what they have been having for
some time past. By coming in with Perth Amboyfthis desire
for a commission form of government will be satisfied, for
within another year Perth Amboy is going to vote On the prop
osition and this time the movement will be properly managed
and there is no doubt about it going through. Thus the greater
sy will be governed by a commission OF five or seven men
elected from the city as a whole and, il the voters are wise,
they will adopt the city manager plan whereby the commission
elected by the people will hire an expert municipal manager,
such as Dayton and Springfield, Ohio, have, who, coming from
outside and paid to run the municipality for the interest of the
taxpayers as a whole regardless of politics, will have no preju-
dices whatever and will run the greater city without knowing
any petty jealousies that so often hinder efficient work.
All this is from the standpoint of the township. We en-
phasize it / because we do not want the impression to be gained
that Perth Amboy is trying ITO put something over" Careful
consideration of all the facts show that both Perth Amboy and
Woodbridge would gain by the union. Perth Amboy of course,
would have room to expand and, in this expansion, the people
who now live in Woodbridge township would derive the benefit
as well as the people who now make up the city OF Perth Am
boy.
The movement is worthy of careful consideration.
Thoughtful men have been considering it for some time. The
time is about ripe for something to be done. Perth Amboy pro-
poses to Woodbridge. Will she accept and make possible one
of the most notable municipal weddings that has ever taken
place in New Jersey?
n1ooan,1o0