Perth Amboy evening news., 1921-12-09

The petition OF the properly VIC III "S"c
street asking the Board of Aldermen to secure expert ADVICE
Before finally accepting the plans for the elimination oil
erade crossing in this city is what has been advocated by
fbe Evening News from the beginning. If the city had gone
in for a comprehensive city plan several years ago when the
Eyening News first advocated the idea there would not Dc
The present doubt as to what is best for the city. =.
When the Evening News first advocated a city plan ii
seemed as if the matter of eliminating the grade crossings
was a long way off. 1t was one of the things, however
that was referred to as necessary to be provided Tor 81 thdt
the city would be ready when the time came. Inc um
\came sooner than was expected. Because the Guy hesleo'0u
No act several years ago it finds itself largely at the mercy
of the railroad company today.
But there is still a chance as far as this particular CITY
development is concerned. A City Plan Commission mas at
least been appointed and it has been given a small appro-
bation IN work Will. The amount is not sufficient to accom-
plsh very much, but it ought to be sufficient to secure expert
advice in the matter of track depression, particularly III
regard to the complex problem at Washington street. AS
This means so much to the city for years to come everything
possible should be done to have it right.
The City Plan Commission need not walt uhui inc
public hearing is held on the matter. There IS no tme 10
be lost. The subject is one that ~legitimately comes "l'nh
the scope of a city plan and therefore the City Plan uom
mission is justified in going ahead and securing all the eA-
mort advice possible. In fact, the commission is derellctI
in its duties and fails to function in its proper capaci! II II
continues to ignore this important matter. |
We believe that the whole city is agreed that the lrst
essential is to have the grade crossings eliminated. Every
thing else must be sacrificed for the accomplishment OF Una
n thing But if is proper that the city should take every
means DOSSlDI6 W udhC tO
inQs as satisfactory as possible for the future oil the Guy
The crossing of the Lehigh Valley and the Central railroads
at Washington street makes a very complicated proplem' IL
Is not a matter to be settled by laymen. In fact, so intricate
Nj that even the best engineers would welcome expert
opinion on the matter.
The city cannot afford to be stingy when there II so
much at stake. Money spent in having this thing done rlght
in tbe beginning will never be regretted. Those oihclaS ol
The CITY who are responsible to the people for looking aIter
The citvs interests cannot escape their responsibility. we
NAV have public hearings galore, but we Will get nowhere
as long as we are without expert advice in the mattef-eA-
merits employed by the city to look at the problem from the
citv's point of view. If, after careful consideration, the
exnert's advice is to the effect that the present plans Tor
Washington street cannot be improved upon the city VIII
he satisfied that it has done its utmost and future generations
will not be able to criticize the present administration LOT
a narrow, short-sighted policy.
The city wants to work in harmony with the rallroau
in This matter and the railroad officials are disposed to listen
10 every suggestion the city has to make. But any KIND OF
a hole through the city will suffice for the railroad TO operate
its trains. 1t is for the city to see that the 'hole" IS made
as unobiectionable as possible.
There will always be ground for criticism hanging
over the heads of the present city administration IL expert
advice is not secured in this matter.