Perth Amboy evening news., 1922-05-04
THROWING THE MONKEY WRENCH

The Board of Freeholders through motives not made
clear are trying to gum up the Amboy avenue improvement
No other meaning can be taken of their attitude when they
appeared before the State Highway Commission and OPP
posed the proposed new route across the property of the
Barber Asphalt Company, insisting that the road be rebuilt
over its present course.
Such tactics are little short of contemplate. There is
nothing to be gained for the county by standing in the way
of this improvement. On the contrary, there would be a de-
cided advantage in adopting the new route. Furthermore,
this is a state highway and whatever is done the expense to
the county will be insignificant.
1t is said that the Board of Freeholders feel that the
Barber Asphalt Company will be benefited. Suppose this
is true, what of it? Is it any crime for the Board of Free
holders to do something that will benefit one of the largest
taxpayers in the county? 1t is just such concerns as the
Barber Asphalt Company that make it possible for the free
holders to have SO much money to spend.
If the present route of Amboy avenue can be changed
so as to cut off the long curve down to the railroad at the
Maurer road the Barber holdings can be united making it
possible for further development in the way of factory ex-
tension along the railroad. Such extensions would not only
add to the ratables in the county, but it would give employ
ment to more people and thus benefit the county in many
ways.
But the Barber Asphalt Company would not be the only
beneficiary in such an improvement. The travelling public
would have a shorter road between Woodbridge and Perth
Amboy with less grade and, being shorter, there would be
less pavement to maintain.
In the beginning the f~reehelders seemed very willing
10 make this improvement. The county board passed a reso-
luton returning the road to the city even before the city
asked for it. Finally the city made the formal request as it
was only through the city that the State Highway Commits
sion could act. Now, when the city has proceeded with the
negotiations, the freeholders are showing a peevishness that
does them no credit.
If the city is satisfied and the State Highway Com
mission is satisfied we cannot see why the county for what
ever interest it may retain in the highway, should throw
the monkey wrench into the machinery at this late date
when plans for this important improvement are about COM
pleted.
We have it from competent authority that this new
route can be finished by next year. The amount of filling has
been greatly exaggerated in the first place, and what filling
there is to be done can be accomplished this year and at least
part of the road finished. The winter will do all the settling
that will take place where filling is necessary so that the
pavement can be completed next year. In the meantime,
all tina. the city asks of the county is that it put the present
route in as good condition as possible to serve as a detour,
so to speak, while the new route is building whereupon the
city will take over the road as far as it lies within the city
limits, while the State Highway Commission is responsible
sfor all that lies outside the city.
Under these circumstances, the sudden change of front
on the part of the freeholders is disconcerting, to say the
least. 1t puts the county board in a decidedly bad light. This
Amboy avenue improvement is one of the most important
projects before the city at the present time. There have
been numerous complications to be Strengthened out be-
tween the aldermen, the freeholders and the state commits
sion. Now just as the whole matter had been successfully
back into confusion by the unexplainable stand they have
taken before the State Highway Commission.
What are the freeholders after, anyway? 1t is time for
a Showdown.