Perth Amboy evening news., 1923-06-18
SOLVING THE MORRIS CANAL PROBLEM

No matter what may be done with the remainder of the Nor
rs canal, it seems to be the universal opinion that that section
between Newark and Paterson should be used for a high speed
electric railway. One of the schemes for uniying the metropolitan
district is to make the various municipalities more accessible to
each other. particularly those on the New Jersey side of the Hud
son. To make the canal bed from Newark to Paterson a high
speed electric railway, running trains over it as they now operate
between Newark and Hudson Terminal, New York, would be the
first step in accomplishing this.
It is notorious that a passenger can travel from New York
to Philadelphia more conveniently than he can go from Elizabeth
to Paterson, or from Perth Amboy to Hoboken, yet Paterson,
Elizabeth, Union Hill, Bayonne, as well as Newark, Jersey City
and Hoboken, are all included in the metropolitan district sur
rounding New York. Some means of quick transportation must
be provided before all these municipalities can work as a unit.
The Port of New York Authority has been formed jointly by
the states of New York and New Jersey to solve the freight and
TERMINAL problem of this district. But this body has nothing to do
with the passenger problem. This is a matter that has to be taken
up separately. With Perth Amboy and Paterson both included
in the metropolitan district, there ought to be some means of close
communication. We doubt if there are very many people who
could find their way from this city to Paterson today without
inquiring their way, and possibly getting on the wrong track
before the journey was completed.
With the fast line electric railway along the canal bed, the
possibility Of extending such a line all the way to Perth Amboy
is not remote. In this way the metropolitan area on the New Jer
sey side would be tied up for quick passenger transportation, and
all the municipalities would develop together.
But there ought to be room Tor a douDle eHctlpc
railway and a boulevard for vehicles, too. A subway for the
railway with a boulevard on top has been suggested. The oppor-
tunity to make a beautiful driveway even in the thickly populated
section of the district between Newark and Paterson, ought not
TO be lost. With so much travel in automobiles, this means of
transportation ought to be provided for. This is especially de-
sirable when it is realized that about the only suggestion for
the use of the canal beyond Paterson, extending on up into the
lake and mountain region, is that the route be beautihed and
made into a state boulevard of great scenic beauty.
Governor Slzer's commission, appointed to study the prob
lem, is hearing what the different city officials have to suggest
Oh the subject, but thus far no new ideas have been brought out
il the boulevard idea is to be adopted, it is logical to have a con-
Meeting parkway leading directly into the heart of the thckly pop
ulated section of Newark. The people living IN the cities must
have a way out that is pleasant and accessible. This necessity
must not be lost sight of in planning for the canal, even for that
section of the waterway between Newark and Paterson.
1t is highly desirable that a definite plan for disposing Of the
canal be agreed upon by the time the Legislature meets next win
ter. The expense of maintaining the waterway with its numerous
bridges and water rights now rests with the state. 1t IS a burden
on the taxpayers that they ought not to have to carry. a year
is enough to study the situation. There is nothing TO be accom-
plished by proIongng the matter.