Five Mile Beach weekly journal., 1922-03-10
Hon. w. COPYRIGHT Smith,
Mayor of the City of Wildwood,
Coua Nov County. N T.

If wildwood has been so rapid and
preat that many of it's most important
features have for the moment, in the
building, been almost, if not entirely
overlooked or lost sight of for the
time being in the hustle and hurry to
keep pace with the demand.
One of these salient features, and
perhaps the most important, is that of
It's beach front. This is, l believe,
sWildwood's greatest asset. 1t has GER
tainlv played a most important part
In the city's growth and popularity
and is unsurpassed on the whole New
Jersey coast, or elsewhere.
AS a new and modern deep water
bier is now to be built $50 feet out
into the ocean Tin the amusement
~center) from the new boardwalk, this
seems to me an opportune time to con-
sider seriously the Importance of
what it means as an asset of value
and to decide upon some concrete
method of preserving and increasing
this value to the city and those who
seek it's pleasure and hospitality.
II lJS DTOdu, lldL, hdlQs ClSoh, oohhy
beach is not only incomparably safe,
but most attractive to lovers of the
seashore, and has a lure which the
Fisitor cannot resist, and it is to how
hest keep it so that I am writing you
at this time.
In my Judgment this can best be
done and probably car only be done
by the united cooperation of the city,
through its Commissioners, and those
who are interested, as owners along
Its front, including the riparian own
ers.
We can hardly expect any perma-
nent beach front hotels and large
Structures involving the expenditure
BIZ many hundreds of thousands of
Dollars (and they are badly needed
light now to supply even the present
demand) to be built until there is a
4dead line or extreme limit, beyond
which no building or obstruction shall
Be erected, except perhaps piers within
limited areas and of satisfactory con-
struction, design and appearance, is
Established and maintained under the
Governing authorities.
| realize that this may not be as
easy to accomplish as it may seem
npon the surface, but I am confident
Mat if the parties in interest will ap-
|Droach the matter properly with both
<eet on the ground looking towards the
entire accomplishment of the city's
2reatest good and prosperity, it can
Adone.
Atlantic City was, several years ago,
MpeHsd to do this thing at a cost
millions of dollars, and so must
E.dwoadr4soner or later, and the
N Mger it is post poned the greater the
xsS5t and the more difficult is going to
IN ITS fulflment, as the interests will
divided into smaller portions among
III greater number, with whom the city
would have to deal and satisfy. 1t is
that if the city could not agree
With the owner it could acquire the
'<itle by condemnation proceedings
through the courts, but even this costs
money and the conclusion OF a jury
as to value. There was a time not
a]ong since >when some of the citizens
OF Wildwood thought there was little
81 no value to the beach lands, and
hat the title thereto was of a doubt
1ml character; but surely these
edoubting Thomases' have by this
lime awakened to the fact that both
ia these premises are wrong.
All lands below high water mark
belong to the State of New Jersey until
conveyed by the state either by lease
81 grant. This title in the state is a
Sovereign right, and you will agree
Nth me, is as good at least as any
private or individual ownership can
possibly be. 1t is fundamental.
Early laws placed the government
and disposition of these lands in the
~ nds of a Riparian Commission with
10 wer to lease or grant and fix the
mice or rental of them; all monies
Kissing therefrom to go towards the
airport Of public schools. The Gov
|efnor of the state is required to join
Iu all such conveyances. The Ripar-
an Commission was a few years ago
merged with some other commissions,
mo what is now known as the 6odru
Df Commerce and Navigation.
On April IL, 1882, the Holly Beach
lily Improvement Company was
armed and acquired title to all of the
aahds above high water mark between
Eedar avenue and Crosse avenue, and
zaid these lands out in lots and ave-
nnes and calling the same Holly Beach
lily.
This company applied to the Ripar-
Hn Commission of the State of New
<ersey for acquisition of the riparian
H9hts in front thereof.
At that time Beach avenue the
E<esent new boardwalk was the most
3kterly avenue and some Is or 20
~ ses were built on the westerly side
E<ereof facing the ocean. Quite a
W|pp Stratoh Of sand beach covered |