The Penn's Grove record., 1921-08-19
COUNTY COGITATIONS

Deen Snlpplng potatoes OF late Wdl-
rants the claim that she is putting
starch into other sections of the coun-
try. Let the good work go on.
Not only the river, but its western
shore has always been an asset to our
community and the county. There are
times when the latter has also been a
liability. 1t is to be hoped, indeed, it
is anticipated that the shore develop
ments which are contemplated will
grow only an asset.
Considerable aleTtness on the part
of the officers of the law will be nee
essary if this anticipation is to be real
lied.
A heavy burden always lies upon the
community situated near a large city.
1t is increased considerably, when it
is also in close proximity to the indus
trial center in addition. That burden
lies on Penns Grove.
But this fact has its brighter side. 1t
is something to be able to afford a
breathing place and opportunities for
relaXations to the citizens of closely
populated areas. And the cash return
does not permit the debt to lie all on
one side.
That was a unhappy thought of the
FreehOlders to direct that the bridge
over Salem Creek, Main st, WoodstoWn
should be painted white. 1t would not
be a bad idea if some. of the other
bridges in the county, whose width is
less than the highways leading over
them were painted the same. This is
notably true of the bridge on the West
Avenue, with its heavy traffic between
Salem and Woodstown. But the pros
pect of wider bridge to take its place
may make that unnecessary.
Speaking of Main Street bridge our
contemporary, The Elmer Times, per-
mits itself an unusual attitude in re-
porting the order of the Freeholders
to paint it white, when it describes it
as Bridge over Memorial Lake" The
Memorial lake has no more tangible
existence than the apple core which
was said to be in the eye of one boy
but followed the rest of the apple into
the stomach of his friend. But, even
Jove mods.
The reference gains nothing in def
niteness than the announcement that
irremovable obstacles dictate the aban
donment of the much talked of site for
The Memorial Lake and what another
location has been offered.
In the meanwhile, we recall that
there is Memorial in the county, for
several years possessed of a local habi-
tation, as well as a name, and that it
has added to itself fame as well. That
is The Salem County Memorial Hospi-
tai The record of this institution
accords well with the services it COM
memorates.
The activity of those engaged in
road building in the county and the
nearing of the contemplation of some
of them suggest the possible realiza-
tion of long needed consummation,
that of closer touch between the vari-
Gus communities in the county. The
hospital has aided in this in feeling
and service. Better transportation
may advance a real neighborly ac-
quaintance and understanding. Moth
ing could serve better to secure for the
whole county development in cooper
alton and in the larger civic soirit.
Rore's greatness was increased and
her integrity as an empire preserved
by her wonder ful roads. Our i'm
proved roads hold the promise Of ad-
vance and per manency in county life
and prosperity. They may discover
us a quite undreamed of wealth of
social opportunity among our county
people.
The distinction of belonging to the
office of coroner would appear to come
high on some occasions if we may
judge by the situation in which Coron-
er r. c. Cole of DarCtoWn finds him
self The Freeholders find that the
law authorizes the payment of only
$25 for burial at public expense. Cor
oner Cole presented a bill of $58.93.
This is regarded as just by tho Board,
but they cannot pay the full amount.
The incident suggests the possible
advantage of statutory limitation of
the cost of all burials. The service
could be rendered in accordance there
with and occasions of embarrassment
to all the parties concerned avoided.
Also the embarrassing of the living
by the disproportionate expense of
dying.
Evidently the State Department and
the Board of Freeholders hold dissim-
liar theories of the function of peno-
logical institutions. This accounts for
the diversity in the views held by each
as to the condition of the County Jail
at Salem. This is perhaps accounted for
in part by the fact that the county and
not the State pays the bills.
Community religious services on
Sunday evenings in the public park at
Elmer and an interesting schedule for
the same among all the churches of
Woodstown, similar to those followed
for the past two years would indicate
a drawing together of the religious
forces in the county. Further signs
of amity appear in the cooperation of
the local ministers in Woodstown in
relieving each other during their va
cations and the churches of the
expense of supplies for the morning
services during July and August.
1t may yet eventuate that Salem
County may have its County Council
of Churches, composed of delegates
from all the churches, to secure more
thorough cooperation and prevent
overlapping. Everything which makes
the different parts of the county more
accessible to each other and better