The Pleasantville press. (Pleasantville, N.J.) 1912-1929, 1926-01-29

along the shore does not seem to be a
popular proposition at this time. 1t is
predicted by many that the time will
come when there may be one great
city succeeding the several cities now
on Absecon Island and the Mainland.
They base their predictions upon the
evidences of growth and the building
operations which seem likely to join
city to city, so that some day the linn
its and boundaries of these cities will
only be built up streets.
This is what has already taken place
on Absecon Island affecting the cities
of Atlantic City and Ventnor Judge
John ]. White, of the Court of Errors
and Appeals, veteran residenter and
hotelman of Atlantic City, has precipi-
tated a sharp discussion of the situa-
ton by proposing to seek legislative
enactment to bring about the merger
of Ventnor, Margate and Longport
with Atlantic City. He suggests that
the three smaller municipalities are
receiving direct benefit in Atlantic
City's Improvement without paying
their share of the cost; that the resi-
dents receive their living in Atlantic
City, but reside in the suburban towns
He thinks that they should help pay
for Atlantic City's new convention hall
because they will share in the benefit
Director of Finance Anthony NJ
Ruffu not only endorses Judge Whites
proposal but goes step farther.
Eventually" Mr.. Ruffu predicts,
there should be a separate county
formed embracing Absecon Island and
the shore road communities. This will
eliminate the country districts and
will do away with unbusinesslike stu
alton OF having to travel twenty miles
to do business at the county seat"
The propaganda for a greater Allan
tic City which would submerge not
only the cities of Ventnor, Margate
and Longport, but also the Mainland
cities Of Absecon, Pleasantville, West
Atlantic City, Mortified, Linwood and
Somers Point, and for the creation of
new county is in the interest of At
lantic City movements. Proponents
of the plan say Atlantic City is the
generating plant for the wealth of the
adjoining cities and surrounding coun-
try, but that Atlantic City has to pay
more than its share of the promotion
work. They also insist that Atlantic
taxes, but it has minor say in county
administration.
There are many who do not accept
the statements that Atlantic City is
the only generating plant for wealth,
I DO they agree ifat Atlantic City has
only a minor say in the county ADMIN
| istration.
| mr. 1..fp 20 -,
be found in Ventnor, Margate and
Longport. and in the cities of Absecon
Pleasantville, West Atlantic City
| Mortified, Linwood and Somers Point
is contributing factor in the attract
iveness of the district as a whole In
fact, the very attractiveness of these
properties make them desirable addi
tons to Atlantic City, else these pla
ces would not be mentioned in Great
er Atlantic City propaganda. 1t is
also pointed out that not all the peo-
pie are of Atlantic City, nor do they
desire to be Of Atlantic City They
prefer the individuality of their re-
spective cities, or communities.
In any event all these properties
contribute through taxation to build.
ing up and maintaining their share OF
betterments, many of which are enjoy
ed by Atlantic City people as much as
they are by the people of the cities
making the betterments. These cities
certainly contribute their share to the
cost of state and county roads, and
the maintenance of state and county
| government and the maintenance OF
county courts and county institutions
In the matter of how much or how
little SAY" Atlantic City has in county
affairs, one has only to examine a
Directory of County officials" to find
what percentage Of the county officials
are Atlantic City men, or make their
headquarters there At the present
| time the state senator and the two
assemblymen are all residents of At
lantic City
Mayors of cities which Atlantic City
would absorb disagree with the pro
ponents of Greater Atlantic City.
| Mayor Adams, of Ventnor City, dis
agrees. He asserts that his town is
entirely free of debt and doubts that
a resident Of any of the lower beach
resorts would have a chance of cleo
| ton to the Atlantic City ruling body
because the majority of the population
is on the north end. He sees no rea
son why Ventnor Cry should shoulder
any financial responsibilities of Allan
tic City.
Mayor Jackson, of Pleasantville
says he is opposed to any Atlantic
| City annexation scheme.
The owners of property in the re
| spective cities desire that the individ