Perth Amboy evening news., 1919-09-20
NOW THEN. MEN. ALTOGETHER

thusiasm.
A city doesn't amount to much these days without some
active civic organization such as a Board of Trade or Chamber
of Commerce. 1t is the nucleus for all kinds OF munlclpal de-
velopment; it is the great dynamic force in a community.
There is a great work here for a Board of Trade. While
we may not be q city set on a hill which cannot be hid, we are
a city set on a point-Ambo point-which is equally conspiou-
Gus. With such advantages as nature has given us there is no
limit to the possibilities if we will only pull together' inc
Board of Trade offers the opportunity for such a concentra-
ton of effort.
But it is so easy for us to let our likes and dislikes get the
better of us. Somebody got peeved at something the Board of
Trade did four or five years ago and he forever after refuses
to have anything to do with the organization. Maybe some
man we do not like has been elected to a dictatorship or to
some other office in the board and, as a result, we wash our
hands of the whole affair. Because the board does not at once
take up the matter that we may think is the most important, we
lose interest and leave the work for others to do. Because one
group of men appear to be the most influential and seem to be
guiding the activities of the board in a way we may think det-
rimental to the city's interests we withdraw altogether and
condemn the organization as being biased and working soiely
for the welfare of one faction.
1t is easy to stand on the outside and find fault. 1t seems
to be human nature to "knock." We may condemn and criti-
cie to our hearts content, but that doesn't get us anywhere.
The call is for big men of broad vision, capable OF overlooklng|
many of the little differences that are bound to occur and see
ing only the wonderful opportunity for service that the Board
of Trade affords. It il a service for the city in which we all are
interested. Of course, we cannot all think alike, but we can
all do our part in working in the general direction OF a greater
city.
If things are not being run to your liking it will not help
make them run so by remaining out of the organization entire
l. The thing to do is to get in and use your efforts to put
across that which you believe to be best for the community
unless your IDEAS are dDSOHulely wrong YOU VIII dl"dJo hu
some who will agree with you and then by keeping up the agi-
tation others may be convinced so that eventually you can carry
out your plan. But you can never do it by remaining out al
together.
Let us not underestimate the services of those men who in
the past have given plenteously of their time and money for the
Board of Trade solely for the welfare. of the city, in the adj
Vancement of which all are equally benefited. There are men
in this city who have and are now working untiringly for the
welfare of the city through the Board of Trade, often with but
scant support. They have literally burned the midnight oil
in their endeavor to accomplish something worth while for
Perth Amhoy and those who ought to be standing by them, as
sising in every move, have done nothing but criticize and find
fault.
It is unfair to expect a comparatively few men to bear
the brunt of this work which is so beneficial to all. fyou don't
like the way things are going get in and help make them go
differently. If you don't like the men who are at the head OF
the board, get in the organization and help elect other men
who will be more to your liking. There is no use standing off
and knocking" Perth Amboy wants men Of constructive
ability, not those who would destroy that which already ex-
lists. The knockers of the Board of Trade who refuse to
join it are trying to destroy it without constructing anything
to take its place.
These are days of keen competition among municipal
ties. The Board of Trade is to a city what the publicity and
advertising department is to a great corporation. 1t has a great
duty to perform. Through it the various interests in a COM
nunity can get together and thrash out their differences, If any
ixist, and at the same time, work for the welfare of ALL.
Perth Amboy, particularly, has need Of a great, strong
civic organization, such as the Board Of Trade, at this time
when vast enterprises are under way affecting this community.
The Importance of such an organization In looking after the
city's interests in the development of the port of New York
alone is something that would warrant every citizen interested
m Perth Amboy joining the board in order to lend their in
uuenC6 toward BetIHS U Felu fApoy GIL ZIG @ho oS, IL
Its important location, is entitled to. AS a part OF this port
development, which is actually under way through a commits
sion appointed by both the states of New York and New Jersey,
is the belt line railroad that is to tap every important trunk line
with a terminal on New York harbor as well as all the steam
ship piers.
The importance of the ship canal across New Jersey to
Perth Amboy is well known. The Board of Trade has done and
Is doing an important work in spreading the agitation in favor
of this pproject.
AS for the city itself, there is the city plan idea to bead
vanced; better railroad service and trolley service; parks; a
community center and the housing proposition. 1t is all well
enough to stand aloof and ask what has the board done to-
ward solving these problems, but the question is, what are
you doing to help the board solve them?
tits only by united effort that these things can be accom-
plished. Once the Board of Trade has the support of every cit
izen it can go before the proper authorities with the weight of
the community behind it. AS long as the board is composed
of a comparatively few and it Is known that all the rest are
only to ready to knock and pull the other way, its influence is