Perth Amboy evening news., 1922-12-16
THE RARITAN WATERWAYS

New Brunswick has revived the agitation for a municipal
dock. The city up the river is very anxious to build up commerce
by water, but it's waterfront is shut off by the canal so that there
are more or less complications in developing the harbor. The
fact remains, however, that unless New Brunswick starts some
thing and keeps everlastingly at it the city cannot expect results.
The establishment of a municipal dock and the agitation for
a deeper channel up the river ought to have the support of all this
section. 1t is an important development of the Rantan waterways
and anything that tends toward the development of the Raritan
helps all of us. But, of course, the development of the upper
Raritan from Sayrevine rests mainly with New Brunswick be-
cause it is mainly for the benefit of that city that such improve
ments are made. Anything that New Brunswick may do, how
ever, viii receive the hearty approval of the rest of the municipal
tiles in the Raritan district; there ought to be cooperation in
every way.
The Rarital Terminal and Waterways Association was formed
for this very purpose and during the next few years there will
be much for this organization to do. Any movement for the de-
velopment of waterfront anywhere along the Raritan bay or river
is of great Importance to every municipality. 1t is a work that
ought to be encouraged in every possible way for the Raritan dis
trct has got to fight for recognition. Being included within the
Port of New York the tendency is to devote most attention to
Upper New York bay and Newark bay because those places are
the most active in waterway development. 1t is only by keeping
the Raritan district constantly to the front that recognition is to
be had here.
The proposition for the location Of a free zone on the south
shore of Rarhan bay ought to be agitated more than it is. New
ark is carrying on a great publicity work in favor of a free
rome on the Newark meadows. But because Of the inaccessibihty
Of Newark bay as compared with Rarhan bay the advantages
are largely with this section if the people here would show the
psoper enterprise and enthusiasm.
1t win be folly to wait until all these problems are settled
before starting work. Last winter when delegations from this
section were appearing before the Port of New York Authority
the discussion of a free zone was barred because at that time
the Port Authority had not been formally authorized. The effort
then was to impress the legislatures of the two states with the
advantage Of such q unified port proposition. The leaders in the
movement did not care to stir up any rival jealousies or compe-
Ehon that might kill the whole project.
Now, however, the Port of New York Authority is thoroughly
matters as the proper location for a free zone. 1t is for the
Raritan municipalities to be ON the alert. The delegation from
this section was promised a hearing when the free zone propo-
sition was ready for discussion. 1t would be wise to keep in
touch with the Port Authority and see that this promise is not
forgotten.
There are excellent arguments for q free zone on the south
Ashore of Raritan bay and there ought to be an opportunity to pre-
Sent them. But with Newark and Elizabeth working hard to get
the free zone ON the meadows between those two cities and with
the Jamaica bay interests working to have a free zone located
there, the Rantan district has got to be active if anything is to be
accomplished.
New Brunswick shows signs of awakening in agtating a
municipal dock. Perth Amboy might show a little more enterprise
along this line. There must be help from South Amboy, Wood
bridge, Keyport and other. places bordering on the water in this
~tainity. The future Development of this whole section is involved
Il this great port development project. 1t is time to be up and
1oips e $780, =,