Perth Amboy evening news., 1921-09-30
DOUBLE
j. s. ROAD AID
State Engineer Says it Would
Furnish Employment for
Idle Workers in N. J.

TRENTON, Sept. 30.-With the
idea of having every dollar serve the
dual purpose of reducing unemploy-
nlent and at the same time speeding
the development of adequate high
ways. the State Highway Commission
of New Jersey. through its chief en-
gineer, Thomas ]. Wasser, has Joined
Z with the road officials of other states
in asking the public to prevail upon
congress to vote in the present emer-
gencies a double appropriation of
Federal Highway Aids for 1921 and
/ to make it available Immediately.
v Men and women of various organi-
zations in every community of New
Jersey are urged to give their sup
port to the national movement start
ed by citizens approaching the pres
emit unemployment conditions. The
hoped-for accomplishment is work
for thousands of men now idle
throughout the country, whose fam
Miles otherwise may suffer from
apwant next winter, and the making
.fof needed public improvement.
Mr.. Wasser is making the appeal
for general public cooperation in
. New Jersey toward averting a pos
\ sible serious unemployment crisis
4 during the winter. The campaign
follows suggestions on the genera.
subject by Secretary Robert c. Hoov-
err. of the federal department Of COM
merce, when President Harding re-
Gently directed to cali a. national con-
ference to devise relief measures and
remedies. Highway builders of sis
ter commonwealth, in the public
capacities, are making the same ap-
peal.
I The plan, as outlined today by the
| highway officials, for every man and
h woman, both as indidivuals and
through organizations, to ask United
States Senators Frelinghuysen and
Edge and their respective congress
men to give their support n in
fluence to obtain the double appro-
priation for highway purposes.
1t is proposed to time all petitions
to reach Washington as early as pos
sible. It is thought that the public
can best demonstrate its interests in
this movement and impress its nat
ional representatives, most effective
ly by sending a flood of appeals dur
ing the period just mentioned.
individuals nee only write a
4 short letter referring to the number
7 of unemployed men in their observa-
tons and endorse the proposal to
1 double the appropriation toward re-
lieving conditions" said Mr.. Wasser,
discussing the subject today. Com
mercial, labor, and other organiza-
tons may assist by adopting and for
warding to Washington representa-
tive resolution in proper form.
"The public is looking to state
\ and other departments to take the
kIead in this important matter, and
because real work can be done eco
- Ironically and advantageously dur
= Ag the cold weather, the highway
icials If the several states are
Ting to do their part.
T. Teveral hundred men with fami-
%TV(yean be employed in New Jersey
peSaeS way work this fall and winter
.Alnds ! made available. The
3AJersey Highway Commission
Eadialready laid out plans with the
expectations hat the usual allot-
ment of Federal Aid for 1921 would
be forthcoming and that it would
be allowed to anticipate collections
OF state funds. Then advices com
ing out Of Washington to the effect
that in spite of the unemployment
situation and the need of highway
Improvements adapted to winter
construction, a rs per cent reduc-
ton in the Federal Aid appropria-
lions was contemplated.
IF our representative at WASH
ington can be impressed with the
possibilities for providing jobs for
men, preventing suffering among
and children, and making
road improvements, which are act
ual public necessities, we believe
they will double the Federal Aid
appropriations to meet this emer-
gency and to that end public CO.
operation is invited"
If congress takes the action
desired, New Jersey will receive as
her share Of the double allotment
the sum of $2.42o.00o.