Perth Amboy evening news., 1922-05-26
PORT Development NEARER

bill authorizing the deepening of the channel through Rari-
Ian bay, Perth Amboy is a step nearer the realization OF he'
ambition to become a great seaport. While the bill has
yet to run the chances of getting through the senate and
must face the Presidents economy program, the fact that
the House has deemed the measure of sufficient merit to
pass it is a decided boost.
But lest our enthusiasm is allowed to run away with
us over the passage of this act, it should be borne in mind
that the authorization of a project such as this will get us
nowhere without the necessary appropriation to cover the
expenses of the work. However, as long as progress is be-
ing made there is every reason for feeling encouraged.
The bill as passed by the House provides for a thirty
foot channel through Raritan bay from Sandy Hook TO Perth
Amboy; also continuing the channel through the Arthur Kill
and Kill van Kull to deep water in upper New York bay. 1t
also provides for deepening the waters on the New Jersey
side of the Hudson river off Weehawken and the deepening
of the channel in Newark bay and the Hackensack and
Passaic rivers. According to the figures of the army eng1
neers, this work will cos. about S12, $4,000.
But as long as this measure is intended to take care OF
The New Jersey waters included within the port of New York
it is to be regretted that provision is not made for the deep
ening of the channel in the Raritan river as far as New
Brunswick. Here is work for the Raritan Terminal & Wa
terways Association which has just elected as its president
Russell Watson, one of the ablest men in Middlesex county
and under whose administration the association is bound to
accomplish great things.
When it is realized that the Raritan river as far as New
Brunswick is included within the jurisdiction of the Port of
New York Authority, just as the Passaic and Hackensack
rivers are, and also in view of the fact that the United States
government mas one II Us greatest rseIdlS loCdleu vi te
Raritan, the usefulness of which depends largely on the
-sl,ipping facilities for war materials, the desirability of in
e uding the Raritan river in the general scheme of New Jer-
sey waterway development is apparent.
But the bill as it stands is of the utmost Importance to
Perth Amboy. 1t means the opening of our front door to the
sea. With a thirty foot channel through Raritan bay, the
port of Perth Amboy, within eighteen miles of Sandy Hook
and with a broad fairway for vessels to approach the harbor,
has everything to be desired from the shipping point of view.
This is especially true in view of the excellent railroad facili-
lies that Perth Amboy has to offer. There are very few
ports along the Atlantic coast that are as convenient for
ocean shipping as Perth Amboy. That this port has not de-
veloped long ago as Philadelphia and Baltimore have de-
yeloped is due to our own sluggishness and Indifference.
While the thirty foot channel is not likely to come this
year or possibly the next, it is apparent that it is on the way
What is Perth Amboy doing to take full advantage of it when
it comes? What plans are being made to accommodate the
heavy draft vessels that will use a thirty foot channel when
they can come up here?
True, some of our Industries are prepared for them.
These industries have been seriously handicapped for years
because of the lack of sufficient water in the channel up the
bay to bring their vessels in to their docks. They have had
40 stand the additional expense of Tightening a large part Of
The cargoes. For industry generally, then, the deeper chan
mel will be an immediate benefit.
And Perth Amboy, as a city, has not been entirely in
different to the matter. There has been filed with the Port
of New York Authority and it has been included in their
maps of the proposed development of the port, plans for
municipal piers and warehouses along the river front from
z Madison avenue to the railroad. Expert engineers have pro-
nounced this site ideal for such a development and once the
channel is deepened there will be no question about the de-
mand for such shipping facilities on the part of owners OF
vessels. .
In this connection It's gratifying to know that there is a
competent City Plan Commission on the job quietly working
along these lines, doing everything that can be done, con-
sidering the limited appropriation granted it, toward get
ting Perth Amboy prepared for the big things that are bound
TO come within the next decade. If Perth Amboy is ever to
become a city worth while it is up to the City Plan Commits
sion to make it so, apparently, as that is the only municipal
body at the present time that is looking into the future at all
IT is lust because this commission is planning for the future
of The city that it deserves the utmost support. lis work wild
be appreciated more in years to come than at the present
time. Because of the big things ahead the City Plan Com
mission must be given all the assistance possible.
In the meantime it is up to Perth Amboy to get behind
This deeper channel project which is now before congress
aud use every influence to have it become a law IL VIII De
the making of Perth Amboy. 1t behooves the Rarltan Ter
minal & Waterways Association, also, to see what can DC
done toward having the Raritan river included IN the dc
S4xe3opment along with the Passalc and Haekensack rivers.