Perth Amboy evening news., 1923-02-02
BACK THE WATERWAY MOVEMENT

Lacking a Chamber of Commerce of our own, 1T is up 10 the
citizens of Perth Amboy to get behind the Raritan Terminal and
Waterways Association in it's efforts to develop this section OF the
Port of New York. Of course, the right way to cooperate with
such an organization as this is to have a local organization full of
a'psp'' and enthusiasm for civic development. But Perth Amboy
does not seem to be enterprising enough to maintain such a
body. The next best thing, then, is for those citizens who realize
the Importance of doing something and who have civic pride
enough to get behind any movement that has for its purpose the
advancement Of Perth Amboy, to give their support to those who
are working along the desired lines.
There are three big matters that the Rarnan Terminal and
Waterways Association is interested in at the present time. All Of
these directly concern Perth Amboy. The first is relations with the
Port Of New York Authority, which now has jurisdiction over
The waters Of this vicinity. Next is the ship canal across the state
from Morgan to Bordentown, and the other is the free zone within
the Port Of New York which it is desired to have established on
the south shore of Raritan bay.
The Importance of these things cannot be over-estimated, yet
Perth Amboy, as a city, is doing little or nothing to advance
them. It is gratifying, therefore, to know that the Rartan Termi-
nal and Waterways Association is alive and on the job. This
organization, made up of representatives from all the towns and
cities in the Raritan district is forcing these matters on Perth
Amboy.
At the annual meeting of the association here Wednesday
night it was decided to hold a mass meeting in this city within
the next two or three weeks for the purpose of boosting the ship
canal project. 1t is the idea to have Mayor ]. Hampton Moore.
Of Philadelphia, come here and give an address on the subject. Mr..
Moore Is a former congressman from Pennsylvania and is presi-
dent of the Atlantic Deeper Waterways Association. He is an
enthusiastic waterway man and is well worth hearing.
Because of the lack Of civic pride in this city. few people
have even given a thought as to what a ship canal across the state
terminating on the south shore Of Raritan bay would mean to
Perth Amboy. Yet, here is one Of the greatest DEVELOPMENTS under
contemplation in this section of the country. At the last meeting of
the Atlantic Deeper Waterways Association the building of this
anal was made a matter of special attention.
Mayor Donnely, of Trenton, one of New JERSEYS enthusiastic
waterway men, is trying to arouse interest in the project and
hopes to get action through the legislature ~furthering it at this
session. The mass meeting here is with the idea of stirring IN
interest and impressing the legislature with the Importance If
doing something along this line.
The state of New Jersey is already pledged to buy the right
O way across the state if congress will build the canal The SIR.
Vy mas been made and it is time now to make the next move. IF
te legislature will proceed with its part there is reason to believe
that congress, impressed by the good faith of the state. will take
sction, especially as the need of the canal is realized nv the war
ana navy departments, as well as the Department of Commerce
me state Oh New Jersey is already pledged to buy the right If
wsy across the state If congress will build the canal. The survey
mas been made and it is time now to make the next move IF The
egisiaturs viii proceed with its part there is reason to believe that
congress, impressed by the good faith of The state. will take action
especially as the need Of the canal is realized by the war and navy
departments, as well as the Department of Commerce.
These are big projects that the Raritan Terminal and Water
wHys Association is backing and they cannot be accomplished in a
dAy or m a year, but by constant agitation something is bound to
result Many a great improvement has been brought about
arcugh the determination and energy of a few earnest men.