Perth Amboy evening news., 1920-03-23
-Asle
TIE CITY,s GREATEsT NEED

The NIl1S OttEAi Eoi NEED
oh, for a city plan commission 20
get behind the bridge memorial idea
and show what Perth Amboy can do
in unfolding her part in the great
project While the bridge, if it Is
to be made q memorial at all, would
be a state affair entirely Independent
of any memorial the city itself might
erect, Perth Amboy could not help
but be greatly interested and should
certainly cooperate in every way
possible.
Realizing what such u memorial,
erected at a cost of from two and q
half to. three million dollars, would
mean to this vicinity the city should
see that the surroundings are appro-
pirate. The streets leading to 1t
might be widened to 100 feet and
the character of the buildings re-
stricted. 1t might be possible to
construct a boulevard crossing Con-
very place and thence direct to
Amboy avenue. The suggestion that
ahe clty's memorial take the form of
an arch to be erected at the northern
end of In bridge has great possible
ties.
There are u great many ideas that
come up as the development is con-
sidered. A city plan commission
would go right after & thing like
that, hitch the city development up
with 1t and make it a reality.
IL there ever was n time when
Perth Amboy needed a city plan it IS
now. Here Is a great state develop
ment that has wonderful possibilities
vet there is no means whereby the
city may take full advantage Of 1t.
The Raritan Terminal and Water
way Association has as one of Its
objects the bringing of the port OF
New York terminal railroad TO the
banks of the Rarltan for it's southern
terminus. A city plan commission
would have all this worked out be-
6~orehand and when the time came,
the commission could say, here,
gentlemen, is the location OF the
terminal; here the tracks como IN
from the various railroads and here
the docks are to be built with deep
water to the open sea"
In other words, when opportunity
comes knocking at the door or Perth
Amboy, the city would be ready. 1t
is not ready today. There is no dell
mite plan for anything. Time is pass
ing. II we are to do anything we
should act now.
The Board of Aldermen has appro-
priated $4,000 for city planning this
year. The money is only sufficient
for a start, but that start should be
made.
There is no politics in this matter
1t is a project that will long outllve
any officials now holding public
office. For that reason a city plal
commission should be made up o.
men not interested in public Office
men of influence and ability,
above all, men who are willing tf
make personal sacrifices and devote
much time in advancing the welfare
of their city.
Such q city plan commission woulc
81. ,lo4 ,1nnnnrtal bridge
idea and they would work something
handsome out of it for the city Il:
we'll as for the state. South 4Ambol
might want to join and do something
on her W account on the soutf
approach to the bridge. AT least hel
influence might be used in advancins
the idea of making the bridge
memorial for the New Jersey boy
who fought in the wal.
This memorial bridge project is TO-
Important a matter to be treated
lightly. 1t is all we'll enough to eX
press sentiments of approval pu
action is what counts. The first NOV
is up TO the Board OF Aloerinen' u
eether with the mayor, TO appoint
city plan commission made UP @
high class, capable men-men wh
are absolutely disinterested IN pom
tics, but who are ready and wiilinI
to go the limit in advancing the Ill
terests of Perth Amboy.
a real effort should be made l
have Ibis Raritan river bridge MAD
a state memorial and in so dom
Perth Amboy should be in shape |
20 the limit in doing her part I
make It n memorial well wort
while.
CONFUSION TIME APPROACHES