Newark post., 1920-08-25

lust now IN tne SUBJECT lllaIIel
contained therein, the following
letter received this week by
Mayor Eben B. Frazer, was turn
ed over to the Post for publlca-
ton:
Eben B. Frazer, Esq,
President Town Council,
Newark, Del.
Dear Mr.. Frazer: AS native
of Newark and temporary resi-
dent. | am much interested in the
question raised as to the route to
be taken by the Lincoln Highway
through or near the Town. Per-
haps as | am unlikely to be a
permanent resident | may be able
to see the question without the
prejudice that might come from
possible injury or benefit to busi-
ness and to property interests.
We're I likely to become a per-
manent resident, sentiment might
determine me against the proposal
to make Main street part of the
Lincoln Highway, but l fully
recognize that this matter can not
Justly be settled upon solely sentl-
mental grounds.
Public Versus Private Interests
1t strikes me that the immediate
need is to avoid partisan heat in
the discussion, to approach 1t as
nearly as may be with scrupulous
regard for all the interests in
volved, public or private. Nobody
can deny that private interests
should not outweigh public inter-
ests in this or in any other mat
ter. At the same time, it is un-
deniable that business men of
whatever kind who have estab-
Eshe themselves upon Main street
with a view to the advantages it
offers by reason of local and gen.
eral traffic have a right to claim
consideration of their interests
in the determination of the route
to be taken by the Lincoln High
way. They have the higher claim
upon the consciences of their fell
low citizens, in that business men
suffering permanent loss, perhaps
of a very serious character by the
exclusion of the Lincoln Highway
route from Main street, could OBJ
tain no damage at law from a
public decision detrimental to
their interests. On the other hand,
private residents on Main Street,
and the whole community have
important rights, of personal
safety, and of public economy that
must be carefully weighed. For
tunately one of the most impor-
tant business interests of the
town, Delaware College, can have
no very strong leaning one way
or the other, except in one event
to be considered later in this COM
munication, for the sentimental
wish to preserve Newark as first
of all serenely quiet academic
community, is already unattain
able, and increased traffic upon
Main Street can not long greatly
interfere with the essential work
of the College, because more and
more those activities will be with
drawn from that thoroughfare.
Neither the business man eager
to preserve and extend his trade,
nor the resident fearful for his
peace and comfort can claim the
right to settle this matter in ac-
cordance with his real or fancied !
personal interests. AS to the busi-
ness men, they need to look keenly
into the future in order to deter
mine what their true interests
are in this matter, to see where
their true interest lies, and as to
private residents, they must re-
cognize that Main Street below
the Baltimore and Ohio crossing
is to be more and more noisy
and crowded business thorough
fare, whatever the route of the
Lincoln Highway. Already home
seekers are looking elsewhere
than on Main Street east of the
Baltimore and Ohio crossing for
the permanent peace and comfort
of a quiet thoroughfare with an
agreeable outlook. AS, to the con-
servatives that instinctively shrink
from all change, they can hardly
expect to control a matter vital
to an active community.