Perth Amboy evening news., 1923-02-15
MEANS MILLIONS FOR PERTH AMBoY

Because of the great increase in interest and enthusiasm in the
ship canal project, which is Ct such vital concern to Perth Amboy,
it has been found necessary to postpone the mass meeting that had
been planned for this city for next Monday night. This may seem
Like a paradox, but it is nevertheless a fact.
After the date had been fixed for the mass meeting here, the
legislative committee to which was referred the Hoffman bill
picked the afternoon of the same day for a hearing on the meas
sure. AS the Hoffman bill is Of great Importance to the ship canal
project, this hearing cannot be ignored. If it should become a law
it would mean that nearly one million dollars which the state will
receive in the Morris canal settlement, will be used for the pur-
chase Of the right of way for the ship canal To accomplish this
is one of the main objects of the mass meeting that is planned for
this city.
Naturally, the men who are leaders in the waterway move
ment and who are desired as speakers at the mass meeting, are
needed at the hearing on the Hoffman bill. At first it was thought
that it would be possible to have both the hearing and mass meet.
ing on the same day, the Trenton delegation coming direct to
Perth Amboy after the hearing before the legislative committee.
But it now develops that the hearing at Trenton is going to be a
bigger affair that was supposed. The Atlantic Deeper Waterways
Association has become interested and prominent men are coming
10 Trenton from all sections of the Atlantic coast. The mayor of
Baltimore and other leaders in the waterway movement have signi-
fed their intention to be present. This means that the hearing will
not only last a long time, making it impractcable for the men to
reach Perth Amboy that same night for the mass meeting, but
Mayor Donnelly, of Trenton, who was to be the principal speaker
here, feels that he must remain in Trenton that night to act as host
TO the visiting executives of other cities.
We are sure that anything that tends to advance the ship
canal project will be wholly acceptable to Perth Amboy, as this
city will benefit more than any other municipality by the con-
struction of the waterway. It is gratifying, therefore, to find
such interest being shown in the Hoffman bill. Rather than inter
t0tO " III a. WIN t6 Acdt4HB VH measure, III Is DSI CQdC
The mass meeting here be postponed. 1t will probably be held
Monday or Tuesday of the following week. Perth Amboy certainly
ought to be ready for it whenever it is held. If we have an.
interest in the development of the city at all, we will show that
interest by at least being present at this mass meeting.
In the meantime, Perth Amboy ought to be well represented
at the hearing on the Hoffman, bill Monday afternoon. New
Brunswick will send a delegation and South Amboy will be well
represented, not to mention many other prominent municipalities
along the Atlantic seaboard. Yet, Perth Amboy, the one city that
ought to be more interested than any of the others, seems more or
less Indifferent. AT least, there is no Board of Trade or similar or
ganization here to get up a delegation and see that Perth Amboy
IS represented. There was q time when Perth Amboy was called
the pacemaking city and a real effort was made to live up to the
name. What a change has taken place in the last few years! In
what way are we pacemakers today?
With mayors Of different cities along the Atlantic coast at
tending the hearing at Trenton Monday afternoon, it is to be
hoped that Mayor Wilson, at least, can find it convenient to be
present to show that Perth Amboy is not utterly Indifferent. We
used to have a slogan, Talk Perth Amboy, but there does not
seem to be anyone even to talk Perth Amboy anymore. With so
many opportunities to put the city on the map, it is a pity that
nothing Is done locally to take advantage of these opportunities.
Iii up to Perth Amboy to have a part in everything that Will
help advance the ship canal project. The completion of this water
way will bring millions of dollars into this city.