Perth Amboy evening news., 1921-10-18
THE START MADE

Forward is the word for Perth Amboy. The Board Of
Aldermen last night, took the necessary action for getting
the waterfront development under way. A commission has
been named, made up of men deeply interested in the well
fare of the city, to go into the mater in a thorough manner
and report back to the aldermen with recommendations.
This commission is named for a special purpose and is
entirely without power excepting what the Board of Alder
men see ft to give it in the future. 1t is to look into the
whole matter of waterfront development as to the expense
involved, how the money can be raised, what the nature OF
the development shall be, what part of the waterfront shall
be developed first, and also the possibility OF leasing the
piers to steamship lines.
With a comprehensive report along this line submitted
to the Board of Aldermen the commission that was appointed
last night will have served its purpose. Naturally, once a
program for waterfront development is adopted the carrying
out Of that program and the control of such docks and ware
houses as may be built will rest with the harbor board.
The gratifying feature today is that a start has been
made. Perth Amboy has taken the first step toward develop
ing that most valuable asset which nature has given the
city. With cities that do not have anywhere near the advan-
tages that Perth Amboy possesses, spending millions OF dol
lars to bring commerce to their doors it is time that Perth
Amboy awoke and made the most of her opportunities.
The fact that the Port of New York Authority is now draw
ing up a comprehensive plan for the development of the port
as a whole, including the Rartan bay and river, makes it i'm
perative that Perth Amboy shake off her slothfulness and do
something for herself. In order to receive the recognition
she is entitled to, owing to her position, she must show a
disposition to do something to help herself to realize her
great ambition.
This is the meaning of the step taken by the Board of
Aldermen last night. They have done well. They are on
record, as far as their committee session is concerned, as
favoring the expenditure of at least S 100000 for water
front development. When the extent OF the work is reallzed
and when what this waterfront development means to the
city is understood, it will be evident enough that 81 200, 600
is not too much.
This is a big job and must be done in a big way IN
order that we may have a big city. We are so accustomed
to fussing around with comparatively little projects that get
us nowhere in particular that when a really big proposition
confronts us we come near throwing a fit.
But Perth Amboy is not going to throw any fit over this
waterfront development. 1t is the one big thing to do to put
the CITY on It's feet. 1t is the common sense thing to do. 1t is
merely putting our invested capital to work. The capital, in
the way of a matchless waterfront, has been here since the
town was established. 1t has been lying idle, not even draw
ing interest. Now we are going to do something with 1T.
Last nights action by the Board Of Aldermen means a
rev era for Perth Amboy. 1t means new industries attrac-
ted by increased shipping facilities. 1t means a big growth
in population and increased business for the merchants 1t
is the one big thing needed to put new life into the city,
arouse interest in local affairs and make us all more proud
than ever of being citizens of a municipality where things
worth while are being done.