Perth Amboy evening news., 1920-01-07
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A MUNICIPAL

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like q year of great progress for Perth
Amboy. The only thing that is likely
to put a damper on the program is
partisan politics.
Already the Republican Board of
Aldermen and the Democratic mayor
are both claiming the credit and there
Is danger Of the good work being
blocked by one side or the other If one
thinks the other is to derive any adj
vantage. Al least that is what we
have come to expect from past expe-
rience in partisan municipal govern
7ent and the temptation to play poll
aics this year, when SO much is at
.9take, is greater than ever.
But whatever may be tho action in
the future the recommendations of
Mayor Dorsey must be commended
and IL the aldermen had already
planned to do the very things the
mayor suggested and actually made a
etart in thai direction Monday night,
SO much the better.
In all Of the mayors recommends
lions the most important. as far as the
future of the city is concerned. is In
regard to a city plan. Nothing worth
while can be done without a d, 9rite
plan these days. From the consEruc-
ton of a great industrial plant 10 the
building of O. house or planning for
the years business, the first essential
is a plan. Every successful business
mar has a plan mapped out for
months ahead, otherwise he would
Soon be all over tho lot and nothing
would come out right.
If a plan Is so necessary in business
and construction, why is 1t not equally
necessary In the development Of 81
great city? We want Perth Amboy to
be one of the greatest ports on the
Atlantic coast and the metropolis OF
New Jersey. But in order to bring this
about we must have q comprehensive
plan. 1t Is the very foundation of a
great and progressive city. A plan is
necessary before any real work can
be done, else 1t may be found neces-
sary to do the work all over again.
Mayor Dorsey urges the appoint
ment of q "non-partisan city planning
commission to take UP his question
at once" Emphasis should be placed
on 'non-partisan" and Eat once" De-
velopments are going on so rapidly all
about us that there is no time to lose
II Perth Amboy Is to derive the full
advantage of these great improve
ments.
In selecting the commission high
class, far-seeing men should be named
men who are absolutely out Of poll
tics, who have no axe to grind and
men in whom the people will have
confidence. 1t may be difficult to get
such a commission. but the matter Is
so important for the future welfare of
the city that too much care cannot be
taken in securing the right men for
this great work.
Other things mentioned in the
mayors communication to the alder
men are greatly to be desired and II
carried out will all help to make a
greater city. The purchase of the
dock property at the foot of Fayette
street, the waiting room and pubic
comfort station are all matters that
have been up before. but have been
hanging fire for so long hat the boost
the mayor has given them may hasten
action.
The municipal lighting plant has
been a bone of contention ever since
1t was built. The mayor focuses at
tention on this matter ana II some
real solution can be found as a result
1t will be a big thing for the tax
payers.
The aldermen Monday night acted
on the street paving and municipal
garage matters as well as to establish
O purchasing system for the city,
There Is merit IN the suggestion re-
garding the tax assessors and there is
no question as to the soundness of the
recommendation regarding the per-
sonal ak on automobiles. Here. in
deed, is a big revenue tina Is at pres
emit lost to the city. A man puts two
or three thousand dollars in a home
and he is Immediately taxed accord
ingly. He puts the same amount OF
money in an automobile and he es-
capes tax altogether, or pays merely
q nominal sum. Under the present
system it is not surprising If there
are more automobile owners than
home owners
By putting all thoughts OF politics
aside and working solely for the IN
terest of the city along the lines OF
the mayors recommendations there is