Perth Amboy evening news., 1922-08-23
ONE THING MORE TO DO

- o"N MUM pCoOl Iout " IuC ldCJ tDdb dJ JC
same time that this ordinance was passed a new ordinance
was introduced providing for the paving Of the new route
with asphalt, shows that the aldermen mean business and
that the present disgrace between this city and Woodbridge
will be ended before the close of another season. The thing
now is to get the grading and filling done before cold wea-
Their sets in. 1t is necessary to have the new roadbed well
settled before a permanent pavement is laid.
Another decided step in advance is the action to have
sidewalks laid on New Brunswick avenue from the end of
the present brick pavement to the city line. Woodbridge
Township has set a worthy example here by having side
walks laid from the Perth Amboy city line all the way
through Fords to Raritan Township. Perth Amboy could not
do less than meet this improvement with a sidewalk on this
side of the boundary. 1t will mean a great deal in the de-
velopment of property in that vicinity and also will make
travel much safer. The congestion of New Brunswick ave-
nue. between this city and Fords is bad enough when vehicles
alone are considered, but when hundreds of pedestrians
also are using the same narrow road it becomes a menace
that, unless remedied, is bound to result in a serious disas-
ter. The sidewalks will provide the necessary remedy.
But with these two important projects so well under
way there still remains one other matter that the aldermen
have in contemplation, but which hangs fire month after
month with nothing accomplished. This is the purchase of
the gas works property as an extension to C%aledonian Park.
This gas plant is a nuisance in the midst of the most valu-
able residential property in the city. 1t is disconcerting to
learn that the city debt is now 600, which is only 40
saeraer the 7 per cent. debt limit fixed by law, and the gas
' ,nsseat5rks property has not yet been secured. Is this to be an
other case of waiting until the property has passed into pri-
vate hands with the usual increase in price before the city
acts?
For many years the Meredith property at Market and
Water streets was on the market. After the city bought the
original Bay View park tract repeated efforts were made by
the representatives of the Meredith interests to sell the
Meredith property to the city but without avail. Suddenly
another party buys the Meredith property, whereupon the
city buys not only the Meredith tract from the newcomer.
but another piece of property owned by the same individual
is bought along with it.
The aldermen made no mistake in buying these proper
ties and the city has gained considerably thereby, but it is
reasonable to suppose that the Meredith property at least
could have been secured for less money if bought direct
from the Merediths, as has been advocated for several years,
instead of waiting for another party to buy it first.
The point is, this Meredith tract and the other property
that has been bought to add to Bay View Park, were in no
way a nuisance to the residents of the vicinity in which they
are located. There was no particular incentive for buying
these two tracts, as far as known, excepting to add more
waterfront property to the city's possessions and to enlarge
Bay View Park. On the other hand, the gas works property
is a decided nuisance to all the surrounding neighborhood
and a menace to health. The smoke and gaseous fumes
make living, at times, almost unbearable in that locality
and the attractiveness of C~aledonian Park is ruined.
Eventually the city must own the gas works, why not
buy the property from the gas company direct instead of let
ting someone else make a profit on the deal.
1t would be difficult even for the very devout to claim
that the saying God gives us our relations applies to our
industrial relations right now.
It is hoped that the predicted break between England
and France will not occur. Everybody is broke enough al
ready.
The employers are afraid of the unions and the unions
are afraid of the employers. When will both sides see the
folly of fearing those who are afraid?
The President of the American Forestry Association
thinks the coal shortage will lead to more planting of NUM-
cipal forests. If we can't have a silver lining to the dark
Industrial cloud, it is something to have wood paneing.
sForgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors" is a
phrase which the great Christian nations seem to find it
easier to incorporate in their prayers than in their policies.
People from other states who read that the expectation
OF life is greatest in Kansas will come right back with
Life longer in Kansas? Oh, mol 1t only seems longer"
Too bad it had to come out that there are official chap
erons on Shipping Board liners. Now all American girls
will want to cross on foreign ships.