Perth Amboy evening news., 1923-09-24
GETTING BEHIND SOME BIG IDEAS

bows who fought in the World War;. Carteret, naturally, is in
torested in deeper waterways because its prosperity depends Oh
the development of its shore front. Located about~half way be-
tween Rartan bay and Upper New York bay on Staten Island
sound, it has everything to gain by the improvement of both en-
frances. In fact, it is more to the advantage of Carteret to have
Raritan bay improved because it offers an approach that is not
congested and one that will permit ships to reach her wharves
much more quickly than by way of New York bay.
Tt is particularly gratifying to hear of this action on the part
Of the Carteret business men because it has been rumored that
the Staten Island Sound Deeper Waterways Association is in
clined to discourage the Raritan bay development. The Staten
Island sound association was formed a number of years ago to
secure the deepening of the channel through that waterway into
New York harbor. A great deal of work was done before this
could be accomplished. The municipalities bordering on its
sound, including Perth Amboy, were assessed as members of the
association, and a great deal of money was spent in working up
he necessary sentiment to get the channel dug.
Perth Amboy realized at the time that her main advantage
was in the development of the channel up the bay from Sandy
look, which is the city's front door, and it was only after assur-
snees were given that once the channel in the sound was secured
lie Staten Island sound association would help the city get the
channel in the bay, that this city consented to back the Staten
ssand sound movement. Year after year this city appropriated
4oney to assist in getting a deeper channel through Staten Island
annd. Perth Amboy even agreed to postpone any action in
ayor of the Raritan bay channel until the Staten Island sound
Improvement was accomplished for fear that by asking for both
eaannels at the same time, neither one would be secured.
The Staten Island sound channel is now an accomplished fact
1T it does Perth Amboy little good. The deeper channel starts
this city and continues through to Upper New York harbor.
At this point, however, is only a dead end with a turning basin
for vessels. Ships of deeper draft can get here only by going into
New York harbor first and then coming down through the sound
past Elizabethport and Carteret to this city. The broad, straight
fairway up the bay is not navgable for the big craft because the
channel is not deep enough. Perth Amboy must have this channel
deepened before this port can be developed.
Having stood aside while the Staten Island Sound Deeper
Waterways Association went after what it wanted, and having
assisted that organization in every way possible, it is only to be
expected that the hackers of the Staten Island sound project will
assist in getting the channel up the bay so as to open this end of
the sound to the larger vessels, just as the upper end has been
opened. We can't see where any of the property along the Staten
Island sound will lose anything by having a deeper channel up
the bay; on the contrary, it ought to be of considerable advan-
tage to have this end of the sound improved.
Evidently the business men of Carteret see the advantage and
have gone on record as favoring the bay project. The Sandy
Hook pilots who conduct vessels in and out Of the harbor are
unanimous in favor Of the Raritan bay route for any vessel bound
anywhere on the sound between Perth Amboy and Elizabethport
It is only fair to expect the hearty cooperation of the Staten ISL
and Sound Deeper Waterways Association along with the backing
OF every municipality on the sound, as we'll as those on Raritan
bay and river, in getting favorable action on the part of the gov
eminent engineers.
The bay channel has been approved by congress and an ap-
preparation has been made for the work. The district engineer
las recommended that the work proceed, but the project has been
blocked by the Board Of Engineers for Rivers and Harbors. A
hearing is to be held shortly when there will be a showdown as
to who are in favor, and who oppose the channel in Raritan bay.
It is to BIO hoped that every individual and every organization that
is in anyway interested in the development of the waterways Of
this section will be on hand or strongly represented, to boost
the project. The Carteret Chamber of Commerce has shown the
proper attitude.
As for the memorial bridge idea, which also has the backing
OF the Carteret organization, its accomplishment would be a great
H.. &F.J ILL., o~ut.. II would ba M small honor II hava
The New Jersey memorial to her soldiers who fought in the World
War erected hexs.
highway ic the state, has everything in its favor.
Carterse Miness men show that they can grasp the big idea
and sre ready 30 get behind il. The State Highway Commits
Son i ernsmely friendly Tow arr the idea. There is good reason
10 bsbcve that it can Be put a.ross if the same spirit thot is shown
&c Curserct win be shown elsewhere. Big projects like this arr
worthy ef the best efforts 0s any body Of i9uMegd4O0kipg men.