Perth Amboy evening news., 1923-05-26
HOW IT IS DONE IN OTHER CITIES

IN the fact that 1t has SeVeral trunk INT ralIroadS running through
it furnishing excellent railroad facilities; it is practically on the
shore Of Lake Erie which affords water transportation, and it is
within a few miles of Cleveland, the largest city in Ohio, just
as Perth Amboy is under the shadow of Newark and New York.
Otherwise the two places are entirely different except for the fact
that both are manufacturing towns and the great majority of the
population are working people, the so-called wealthy class being
conspicuous by their absence.
In the first place, this Ohio city with its 10000 population
has a city manager. This man is very aggressive, has a thorough
knowledge of municipal affairs and is engaged by the city commits
sioners to run the city, just as a board of directors of any corpora
ton would engage a manager to run its plant. 1t is a business
proposition pure and simple politics are tabooed. til not neces-
sary to take any political party into consideration at all when de-.
gliding on a project for the city; the only question is, will it be good
for the municipality as a whoef
The city has numerous paved streets, a police department and
a partly paid fire department. 1t has electric lights and water
works. Furthermore, it maintains a real park on the shore of Lake
Erie where there are all kinds of amusements for the people, bath.
ing beach and a recreation ground. Its assessed valuation aver
ages about fifty per cent, of the true value and its tax rate is
about $50. These facts alone make this Ohio city of particular
interest to Perth Amboy. Taxpayers here will be inclined to won.
der how they do it.
This city of 10000 population, under its city manager, makes
it a point to welcome new industries. And it is realized there that
if new industries are to be secured, those already there must have
rTafr treatment. Parties interested in an industry in Perth Amboy
and who are also interested in a plant recently established in this
Ohio city, tell an interesting story of the treatment they received
under the city manager. 1t has been cooperation from start to-
finish. When looking for a site for the new plant, the city manager
was the person who helped them select a location that was suit
able for their purpose, winning over several other sites in other.
cities that were under contemplation.
An adequate water supply was one of the requisites. This
was a stumbling block at first, but the city manager, working
with the plant officials, succeeded in getting this problem adjusted
satisfactorily. Then the industry desired two streets closed. Here,
again the attitude of the city manager was quite significant. He
said that the matter of closing streets would have to come before
the city commissioners, but that they all realized that the LIFE
AND GROWTH OF THE COMMUNITY DEPENDED ON THE
INDUSTRIES and they were always glad to do anything within
reason. He promised to lay the matter before the city commission
with the result that the streets we're closed. Then the municipal
map showed a right of way across the property that the company
had bought, leading to other properties adjoining. 1t was sug-
gested that this right of way be moved over to the property line
so as not to interfere with contemplated buildings. The city
manager made it his business to see the other property owners and
get their consent to the change.
What is the result of all this interest and enterprise on the
part of the city government in getting this new concern to locate
there9 It is exactly the same as when a customer goes into a
store and is given courteous and helpful attention; the customer
goes away satisfied; a good impression has been made. That GUS
toner will not only do more business at that store, but he will
recommend the store TO others. Then, too, the busnessike manner
in which the municipal affairs are conducted; the progressiveness
of the city; its care for its people and, above all, its low tax rate
appeal strongly to business men generally.
Perth Amboy recently lost an industry employing about 10000
men-as much as the whole population Of this Ohio city, by the
way-largely because the city government here not only fails tc
cooperate with the industries, but is often anita gonistic to them
Such things as railroad sidings which are among the first essen
tials to successful manufacturing, are denied the plants. The in
dustries that are going to benefit the city by benefting them
selves are fought in the courts and policemen are put on guard
as if the heads of the concerns were criminals and had to b.
watched. On top of all this, valuations are continually raised and
the tax rate goes up along with the valuation. The city provides
nothing for the people employed in the industries in the way Of
amusements and recreation. There is not even provision made fol
band concerts. Yet we wonder why Perth Amboy does not forge
ahead like other municipalities. We see industries that would like
20 come here because of the natural advantages, going elsewhere
and industries already located here are held back in their develop
nent and driven elsewhere to build their additions because Of thu
attitude of the city.
1t is about time for a new deal in Perth Amboy.