Perth Amboy evening news., 1920-05-11

TINS would proDdDly HteaH UtN-iAeA
bonds to make up the deficiency.
Another point to be remembered is
that prices, particularly in building
materials. are about at their height.
The contractor bidding nov would bid
on a basis of present costs. But it
will take several years to complete
these two great undertakings. In the
meantime prices are likely to come
down. Who would get the benefit?
THE contractor. having been awarded
the work at present prices when they
are at their peak could claim full pay
'ment. on the other hand by buying
material only as he needs It he stands
IA chance of saving thousands of
dollars on the finishing Of the job.
If. for instance, the contractors bid
today is based on the present price of
steel, the price may be considerably
less two or three years hence when
he will begin 10 need steel in largo
quantities. The difference would. of
course, be his.
It Is because we are now at the peak
of everything with conditions SO I'M
settled. and not with the idea of stand
ing in the way of progress, that we
oppose the bridge-tunnel idea at this
time.
Further showing great difference of
iopinion regarding the cost OF these
two great enterprises. the following
editorial from the Trenton Times gives
some interesting information:
president Samuel Roa. Of the
Pennsylvania railroad, in a letter TO a
committee OF the Philadelphia Real
Estate Board, denies that either he or
his company is attempting to interfere
lin the slightest way with the Cam
den-Philadelphia bridge project: but
he declines to declare himself in favor
Iof either q bridge or a tunnel because
II have not the information before me
that would warrant such an opinion
Mr.. Rea expresses the fear that the
bridge will cost $75.OOO,oOO or much
more.
Replying to President Rea. Vice
Chairman Richard Y. Ceilings, of the
Joint Bridge Commission of Penn
sylvania and New Jersey, in a publish
ed statement. says that all our In
ve~stigatlons, through engineers whose
ability and integrity cannot be
challenged, show that the cost of the
bridge can be kept within 10000
900, even at the present costs of labor
and materials He estimates that the
cost Of the approaches on the Camden
side will be $4,000. 900, and certainly
It cannot 60 above $1,000 0 900 on the
Philadelphia side
Hero is a total of $4,000, 900 for
bridge and approaches. 1t is a fair
assumption that the Hudson river tun-
viii cost as much more. New
Jersey Is asked TO approve n bond
issue Of $40. 600, 900 to pay one-half
Of the cost, making it's share $4,000
900, If President Rea's fears are realiz-
ed. No wonder Philadelphia is holding
back from getting into such an ex-
t~ravagant scheme, and that Governor
sproul is hesitating to commit the
of Pennsylvania farther.
"Our legislature might we'll have
looked closer into the question OF cost
taking the plunge. There has
been no definite opposition to either
the bridge or tunnel, beyond a sug-
that legislation adopted in this
Is unconstitutional. Touching
pocketbooks so heavily will have
more effect upon the voters than any
question OF the validity of the tunnel
and bridge law"
With both Philadelphia and New
York showing considerable hesitation
about going into these projects. why
should New Jersey seem so anxious?
when II means a state debt of twenty |
eight to thirty millions and a state
tax besides we do not believe the peo-
pie will sustain the legislature in the
enthusiasm shown in this matter.