Perth Amboy evening news., 1919-12-08

| the underbrush cleared out, one is in
a wild state and one is being used as a
dump graund.
The report stated that the dump
ground plan was not so a as II
/ sounds, although it is unfortunate
there is no distinction made between
garbage and refuse. Refuse, says the
report, is a perfectly proper body for
filling in low ground. and large cities
use it very successfully, n produce
wonderful parks on such dumping
spaces. The report states that there
has been much criticism against the
purchase of the land, but you can
have mo- parks or equipment without
first procuring the ground, and that
much has been accomplished on the
small amoun of money available. In
closing the report states. Perth Amboy
needs q comprehensive park and play
ground system.
Juvenile Delinquency: Investigation
has shown that Juvenile delinquents
are tried in two courts. Perth Amboy
Police Court and New Brunswick
Court of Common Pleas. About 500
children 1t Is estimated by the judge,
have passed through the local police
court since January 1, 1919 and TWEEN
ty of these were sent to New Bruins
wick. One third of these children are
under twelve years old n almost all
charges were disorderly conduct or
malicious mischief. These offenses are
largely the results of the love of ad-
venture and the instinct for play that
are found in every member of the hu-
man race and that are apt to find an
undesirable form of expression In a
town where there are almost no OPP
portunities for directed play. They do
not show any special tendencies to
crime. The majority of these children
are talked to by the Judge and then
put on probation to report to him once
q week.
Several cases of habitual truants
have been found who are not inter-
ested in the regular school program,
but who very probably would be good
material for the industrial training
class if children of the lower grades
were eligible. One boy who has
caused a great deal of trouble in the
schools is eager to take q course in
mechanics, but he is only In the fourth
grade. Juvenile Delinquency is a very
big problem and plans are being made
by proper city authorities to s%olve9it.
A report concerning the library 1t
was found that 1t is used by fifteen
different clubs and is becoming the
community center. There was an In
crease in circulation last year from
SO 5000 to 10, 900. There Is a contin-
ued increased demand for books, es-
pecially books in foreign language,
The books showing the biggest %circula-
ton last year were fiction, literature,
sociology and industrial arts.
Report of the Committee on Com
munity Organization and Government:
Within the city there are n number of
organizations doing fine work along
civic and social lines. The Chamber
of Commerce in Perth Amboy is more
than merely the industrial organiza-
ton found in 10 many places, but Is
interested in civic affairs and should
prove more and more an agency for
civic and social improvement.
The Woman's Clun with its work
among women has accomplished g
great deal for the city. The Day
Nursery, the kindergarten, the play
grounds, work among the girls are
but a. few of the many activities In
which they have been interested.
The Y. NJ. c. A, with its modern
equipment and building is working
among the men and boys and It's in
dustrial and Americanization work Is
achieving good results among the
foreign born population. N work Of
the International Institute, Knights OF
Columbus, Y. NJ. II. A. n Y. w. IL.
A, the boy and girl scout movement,
the Salvation Army was also cited.
The record of the city during the LIB
6lIy lOdTlS, IkGu SIOSS ullNGo olu OthNi
campaigns of a patriotic nature were
spoken of very highly.
The committee found hat the city
has outgrown it's Did charter, which
In 1871 when it was drawn was
doubtless admirably suited for a town
of 1000 people. The report stated
that the old form Of government has
been modified many times by the
state law, city ordinance and custom
- it, ,,, =, ohIy fLn pffHr ntfnrnnV
finds difficulty in determining what
law may apply to n particular sit
uation. Accordingly the time is fast
approaching when it will doubtless be
found necessary for efficient govern
ment under the changed conditions
of large city life to secure a new
charter adapted to the needs and
possibilities of the Perth Amboy of
today.
It has been reported that in order
to secure the use of the streets for
r~ecreational purposes 1t has been
necessary to interview four different
city officials. This division of respon-
sibility results In loss of time and
efficiency to the city officials and trial
and trouble to the townspeople con-
cerned.
City government in Perth Amboy
may be carried or as efficiently as 1T
is possible under the present FORM OF
government which Is fitted to meet
the needs of a small town. From this
hasty study it is not feasible to make
any general recommendations but
several things, such as public COM
fort stations, a public waiting room
and like improvements stand out as
developments which would add to
the prestige and popularity of the
city among those who use Perth Ann
boy as a trading and business center.
Accordingly it is suggested that a
more intensive and expert study of
the city government be made by a
committee of renresnntatiyn citizens