Perth Amboy evening news., 1923-05-10
PERTH AMBoY AS AN INDUSTRIAL CENTER

one of the largest industries in the country. The Western Elec
trio Company was looking about for a new site somewhere in this
section. It was attracted by the old Boynton Beach property and
it seemed to meet all requirements. The deal was almost, but not
quite closed, we are told.
The company also had in mind another site at Passac. When
the decision was finally made Passaic won and Perth Amboy lost
This industry, according to all reports employs between ten and
fifteen thousand people. When families are considered, the addi-
lion Of such an industry to this vicinity would have meant prac-
ticaly the doubling of the citys population. just think what
that would have meant to the business of this community!
What was it that finally turned the scale against us and caused
the Western Electric Company to go elsewhere to build its great
plantg 1t may safely be said that it was the antagonistic attitude
Of the city government toward industry in general.
For several years past the industries already located here
have had to fight for everything they have desired in the way of
expansion and development. AT the same time they have had both
their valuations and their tax rate increased. Instead of coopera-
ton and encouragement on the part of the city, the industries have
been antagonized at every turn and discouraged in every move
they have attempted to make. Court proceedings have been
started against them and policemen have been stationed to watch
them in order to satisfy the spite Of some petty official.
When the Western. Electric Company inquired from the H.
austries already located here how they were being treated and
whether they were satisfied, what kind of an answer would one
expect the local industries to make? Surely, in view of the atti
tude that the aldermen have elected to assume toward the indus
tries that furnish the life blood of the city, they could hardly ex-
pect these industries to become enthusiastic over Perth Amboy Is
desirable place to locate any new industry.
But the loss Of the great plant of the Western Electric Com
pany is not all. We know of at least two local industries-two that
pay, perhaps, the highest wages in the cty-that are expanding
at the present time, but they have gone to other cities to do their
expanding. The head of one of these industries, in discussing this
matter the other day, said that as long as the city government takes
the attitude that it does, his plant will go elsewhere for its devel
opment. He then cited the favorable terms upon which they were
establishing themselves in another city, and the advantages that
had been offered them to locate there.
This is the experience of all the large corporations that have
plants here. Perth Amboy suffers in contrast with other places
Here we are in the midst of one of the most prosperous periods in
the country's history. Other municipalities are going forward by
leaps and bounds. There is great development everywhere. Perth
Amboy, in comparison, is standing still. We, as a city, are not
getting our share of the good things being passed around. Instead
Of going after big things in a big way and making the city the
great industrial center it ought to be, our city government is ever
ready to pounce upon the industry that asks the slightest favor
from the municipality and, in the meantime, the officials quarrel
and fight over petty affairs, making mountains out of mole hills.
These are serious facts that sooner or later have got to receive
our attention.
A city goes either forward or backward. With every facility
in the gift Of nature to make Perth Amboy a great industrial aud
commercial metropolis, there is neglect and indifference on all
sides. Taxes 20 higher and higher valuations are increased SO that
rents are out of reach for the ordinary man who desires to have a
real home where he may bring up his family. We drive the chill
dren off the streets, but fail to provide any Fairgrounds or recre-
alton centers where they may develop. We fight long and hard
for a much needed school, and we have to secure special legisla-
ton in order to exceed the legal debt limit so that the city can
carry out It's part of the grade crossing elimination project. Our
streets are going TO ruin and we have not the money to put them
in repair. The present Board Of Aldermen blame the old board
md they blame someone else.
With new industries refusing to locate here and with what IN
dnstries 9 already have being driven elsewhere to do their ex-
handing. ism t it about time for the citizens to take hold of the sit
nation and really do something's The great need is to modefnze
our municipal government and get down to a real businesslike
method Of running public affairs; show a spirit of cooperation
with those who would develop the city industrany and COM
merciauy thereby increasing the business of the city, and fill up
the vacant stores. Build houses that the ordinary man can live in
ard finnish amusements and recreation Tor all. It,,a Aa5s
cot to arouse herself if she is to keep up with the procession which
today is marching fsExsEa VIII EaaBs strides