The Pleasantville press. (Pleasantville, N.J.) 1912-1929, 1927-03-28
A REFERENDUM-A REASONABLE REQUEST.

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those who have from the first advocated that railroad
terminals be placed the meadows the west of the city
Even the proponents of the present Reading terminal
plan Arctic and Baltic realize that there is
number Of people in Atlantic City who do not favor
this location This opposition the Reading plan has
been voiced in interviews and letters to the public press IN
speeches and resolutions before bodies of Interested and
vitality concerned taxpayers
SO, there admittedly two sides to the question OF
a terminal for the Reading Railroad in Atlantic City,
is only fair that the side which opposes the Reading
plan should be given the opportunity and right OF the
ballot
The opportunity and right of indicating ones prefer
through the ballot does take away from any citizen
any of the sacred grants of the Constitution of his country
Ii gives the who favors the Reading plan outlined
in the ordinance before the City Commissions his
opportunity while il also gives those who oppose this
ordinance their opportunity be fairly represented
AS matter of fact referendum lifts from the
shoulders of the Atlantic City Commissioners burden and
responsibility which cannot be otherwise than serious
charge upon them.
Under the fairness Of a referendum the Mayor and
the City Commissioners may assured that the issue will
be determined the satisfaction of the majority OF the
people.
The questions al issue affect the majority of the
people The questions far reaching in their appl
cation and effect that they groups of and
organizations break down ward limits, wipe out sections
and spread throughout the city, This is because tax
payer of the city has direct and actual interest in the
costs involved
The costs involved not be counted of this day,
terminal costing millions of dollars is built in certain
location, ii is likely 10 last there indefinitely.
So, the placing Of terminal al this time makes al
situation and imposes condition by which the city will
be hound for long long days 10
1t is becoming better understood every day that the
very civic life Of the City of Atlantic City, the Worlds
Playground, stake in this ISSUE Stress has been made
upon the point that the railways bring hundreds of
thousands the shore each week testimonial of the i'm
portanee OF the railway transportation systems
Because of the Importance of these systems, terminal
terminals dominate their surroundings and positively
influence all movements of traffic, all rowhs expansions
and improvements not only in their immediate vicinity
but throughout wide This wide in the of
Atlantic City is expanding circle of residential
industrial and civic growth thai the railway terminals
become the hub from which everything radiates.
The testimony Of every growing city which has had
similar experience is that it is unwse have thel
terminals bockadng The busiest and very best streets of
the city.
Every other city is moving its railway terminals to less
congesed sections afford space for the increasing
demands of the railroads, and also give relief for bust
ness, residential and educational activities in the city
proper
Civic beterment is therefore vital factor in determine
ing the question of locating any public utility public
building railroad terminal may easily be made thing
of beauty, properly located
The location of important ike the railroad
terminal greatly influences values The influence may
be made beneficial in the of Atlantic City. John r.
Sracsa president of the Atlantic City Real Estate Board
has found upon analysis that TO Locale the Reading
terminal the meadows of the ThOroughfare will in
raabes in the city $3600O00000 and bring the
city each year additional 100000 in taxes.
Obviously, i the meadows location VIII bring such
great increase in values, the selection Of other
location will Involve less Of this size.
Not only movements of railroad patrons and the
effect upon real estate values influenced by these move
to be considered but also have the other com
pcaton in traffic and property yaues-the constantly
increasing volume Of motor traffic.
To locate the railway terminal the meadows will
relieve congestion in the of the town If the
terminal is built under the plan of the ordinance, certain
streets will be blocked or closed traffic
II the terminal is located the meadows additional
bonlevards will result in greatly improving traffic con-
dons and be of great civic betierment.
Because Of these vital facts, is only fair that all the
people should be given full opportunity express by
ballot their preference The request for the ballot was
made sometime ago and brought forward for full
consideration.
The hearing on the terminal ordinance will take place