Perth Amboy evening news., 1919-09-12
JOHN PFE|FFER ADDRESSES DEMOCRATS;
CANNON FIGHTS REBEL" CANDIDATE
Ship Canal Meeting Before Dem
OCratiC Rally
LATE ARRIVALS SURPRISED
Wondered What Pfeiffer Was
Doing at Democratic Rally
Here

Anyone entering the rooms of the
Perth Amboy Democratic Club about
8 o'clock last night would have
thought that his eyesight was deceiv-
ing him-or perhaps that he imbibed
little too freely in prohibition
whiskey"-for there standing and
speaking before several hundred city
and county Democrats was John
Pfeiffer, chairman of the Republican
County Committee. But, after one
had listened to Mr.. Pfeiffer's words
for few minutes, 1t would be noted
that he was not touching in the least
on politics but hat he was speaking
In favor Of the Morgan-Bordentow
Intra-Coastal Ship Canal. And such
was the case, although many late ar
rivals could not understand this at
first.
AS a means of explanation 1t might
be said that a meeting for the purpose
of boosting the ship canal proposition
was scheduled to be held in City Hall
last night Owing to the big attend
ance at the Democratic Club however
and the scarcity of men at City Hall
it was decided to combine the two
meetings and hold them both In the
Democratic Club Rooms.
State Senator Thomas Brown pre-
sided at the canal meeting, he intro
ducing as the first speaker of the
night Mayor Charles A. Gillen, of
Newark. He pointed out that al
though the proposition would be of
the greatest interest to those living
In this immediate vicinity, the bene-
fits derived would be felt by those in
all parts of the state. There is now
a complete chain of inland canals
from Boston to North Carolina, the
speaker said, with the exception OF
this small strip of thirty-three miles
(which would make 1t possible to go
the entire distance without going
down the Atlantic ocean.
The State of New Jersey has
pledged the amount necessary to buy
the right of way, Mayor Gillen stat
ed, and what is now necessary Is to
get the government to finance the
construction of this canal. The pro-
posed canal would mean much to
industry and business, he asserted,
and the possibilities OF shipping by
boat instead of railroad would great
ly decreae the cost of transportation.
Another point brought out by
Mayor Gillen in favor of the canal
was that the present harbor conges-
ton in New York would be greatly
relieved by the Morgan Bordentown
canal.
Sc A strong plea for organization to
push this big project was made by
the speaker, he declaring that all
speed possible should be made to
push the matter and get the mem
bers of congress not only Interested
but inspired with the same feeling
which is now being manifested in
this state. Propaganda to show the
importance of the canal, the uniting
of all of the Chambers of Commerce
in the state and preparations for a
stiff fight, were advocated by Mayor
Gillen. In closing he declared that
and soul in the furthering of this
proposition.
Senator Brown spoke briefly, stat
ing that although concerted influence
at Washington Is needed the "home
fires should be kept burning by the
residents of the state who are SO
anxious that this proposed canal
might soon become a certainty. The
property through which the canal
would pass. Senator Brown said, is
ideal, the soil being easy of excava-
ton. and no city to be disturbed. it
seeming as though "the hand of ma
ture was beckoning."
Senator Edward /. Edwards was to
be one of the speakers at this meet
ing also but as he had not arrived
1t was thought the meeting would be
concluded then. Several Republicans,
including John Pfeiffer. were in the
room. they having come from City
Hall when 1t was decided to change
the meeting place of the canal meet
ing.
Mr.. Pfeiffer was next asked to ad-
dress the meeting. Senator Brown
hesitated before inviting Mr.. ~Pfeiffer
as there seemed to be a little differ
enice of opinion as to the effect OF
having the Republican county leader
address a gathering which was about
ninety-nine per cent Democratic. The
speaker gave some of the details of
the canal. which he said had been un-
der consideration for the past ten or
twelve years and the plans had been
approved by the war and navy depart
ments. The property has been survey
ed he said and 1t has been estimated
that the cost of construction will be
$45,000,000. The plans call for a
canal 83 miles long, 125 feet wide at
the bottom and 20 feet deep, making
saving of 1T miles in going from
New York to Philadelphia. He made
an appeal for the support of every
resident behind this big proposition.
Mr.. Pfeiffer's talk closed the meet
ing.