Perth Amboy evening news., 1920-05-11
CTTY,s FUTURE GROWTH.

Perth Amboy showed IN increase OF
80 per cent. In population in the past
ten years. From a city of S2,121 In
habitants it has become u city of A.
707. This is a gain in numbers OF
9,5s6 people in the ten years from
1910 to 1920.
While this is q good showing and
favorably with a majority or
the cities of the country, it is signid-
cant that the growth during the past
decade when wo were supposed to
have developed most was not as great
as during the previous ten years, from
190O to 1910.
The population of Perth Amboy In
1900 was 1892. In 1910 it was 81
121 showing a gain in numbers of Ia
422 people.
AS q matter of fact, during the past
ten years there have been no big in
dustries located here to bring new
population. II Is true that during he
war numerous munition plants were
established in this vicinity. For the
t~ime-being thousands of men from all
parts of the country were attracted
blther. With the signing of the armis-
tice, however, these thousands of en-
ployes scattered to the four Winds
Within a few weeks the plants were
closed and the workers, for the most
part, had returned from whence they
came.
More than this, hundreds OF u
foreign population focked back TO the
old country as soon as the war was
over, making great inroads into our
population.
Perhaps tho most serious depletion
OF Perth Amboy's legitimate popula-
ton, however, has been the removal
OF many desirable citizens into the
suburbs. driven out by high rents and
soaring prices of real estate.
In view of all these things IT may
be considered that Perth Amboy has
done well. indeed. to show "a net
growth in population of $3.50.
But what of the future? With the
city already crowded so that hundreds
of people who rightfully belong here
are compelled to seek homes else
where, how can we expect to continue
to grow with conditions as they are?
Obviously Perth Amboy has got to
-. -. a1o,, onA annAttinnE must
be made more favorable. In this con-
nection it is significant to note that
Perth Amboy has one of the smallest
areas for the number of people It con-
tains of any city in the country. When
measured by territory Perth Amboy
has but 1900 acres whereas New
Brunswick, for instance, has $3.50
acres. over twice the size of Perth AM
boy. When ii is realized that Perth
Amboy has 41,707 people crowded into
a district Of but L400 acres whereas
New Brunswick has some thirty thous-
and, perhaps, spread out over a terri
tory Of $3.50 acres we can begin to
see the need of Perth Amboy getting
more room to grow in If the city Is to
Continue to hold its own in population.
The borough of Roosevelt has 7S5
hore acres within its limits than has
population of about 5000. has an area
of 7s9 acres. more than half the area
Of Perth Amboy with its approximate
$4,000 people.
We have had our warning. ii is III
TO us to heed 1t. The increase in the
population of Perth Amboy showed q
decided falling off during the past ten
years as compared with the ten year;
previous. The increase may disappea.
entirely during the next ten years un-
less the city gets more room to grow
in and takes steps to remedy present
conditions, which are driving many
desirable citizens away into neighbor-
ing towns.
All this brings us back to the city
plan idea for which the Board o.
Aldermen have appropriated $4,000 tc
get the work started. but which thus
far remains idle in the city treasury
with no commission named to handle
the fund. a city plan would take al
these matters into consideration ant
would work out a solution GOVERNS
the whole problem hat is becoming
more and more serious as time goe'
on with nothing being done.