The Ambler Gazette 19360102

              The Ambler Gazette
VOL. LVlI~NO.  45
AMBLKR.   PA..   JANUARY   2,   103G
«1.75  A   YEAR
k
SWING THE WATER
Ll
PROPERTY    OWNERS    AND    CON- SUMERS SHOULD DECIDE
Iss Jes Involved Are Many—All Phu*** - jfel"''' ^8 Considered—Enginasra £(?" Savings Can Bo Made by Bkjr- ough   Ownership
Property owners and taxpayers ehould .study the problems Involved -in borou.^-h and private ownership of tho water company, and they should confer with couneil before the Lssue ot ownership is decided.
The engineers, who have made ft study of the physical plant an.t the flninclal set-up over a period ot 1« yenrs, state that under borouffh management rates can be reduced to consumers, and leave av<T.ilab'l6 funds for overhead, interest cnarges and sinking fund reciuirements, and in addition a fund would remain for additions and .substantial replace¬ ments.
Thoy declare tho gross income for isnt was about $r,l,0'OO, and that 1»35 for 11 months shovv.s an increase over that flgxire. The expenses total aljout $2C,000 for the 12 montha, which leaves $25,OOC, according to their flg¬ ures, for intereat and sinking lutJd charges, reduction of rates and pur- po.'io.s of improvement and replace¬ ments.
There are 1700 patrons served by the two companies. A reduction of $2 for each consumer would represent, on the face of it, a decrea.se of $3400 In the gross revenue—certainly not a serious reduction, provided the engi¬ neers' figures are correct, and they claim to have consulted tho com¬ panies' booKs, the rep^>rts to public eervice commission and other sources. It Is stated that $9000 is annually paid the president ot the two com¬ panies. If this sum, under the pres¬ ent set-up, is taicen from the gross revenues of the companies, it repre¬ sents a charge ot ?5 on each uf tiie 1700 cu.stomors. Under borough ownership this oxi>ense would be el¬ iminated. Under private ownershll> ail or imrt of it might be continued. The engineers suggest, and the proposition is certainly sound and economical in borough administration that under municipal control the wator and the sewer del>artments can be unified in one engineering head, one office, bookkeeping, billing and collection system. This should effect a substantial   saving.
It is pi-obable, it private interests secure possession of the local plants, the new owners will ueok an adjust¬ ment of rates. They iwobably will oniPloy enyin'-oi"3 to- fix a valuajtion on the properly, liased, not on the oost, but on technical valuation of the plants engivgod in and necessjnry for tho pi-oduction and dispensing of the product and service involved. On this valuation a sy.st6m of rates will bo worked out, and the public service commisaion will be asked to approve. If these rates increase the present rates enjoyed, a legal battle of law¬ yers and enginoors will bo tought be¬ fore tho commission, with the public being called upon to defend itself.
Inasmuch as the public service com- Tiiisslon lias tho authority to abrogate contracts, the rate of $23 per year tor flre hydrants also will be involv¬ ed. The rale for hydrants in the area immediately surrounding Ambler is v'lS per year.
Fact.? are not at hand to inform as to the rate of dividend iiaid the pres¬ ent stockholders, but interest wtll have to bo paid whether undei pri¬ vate or public ownership. Tlie only difference    in     thi;s    r,ospect    is
the consumers will ascertain just the cost of the product consumed. If the plant remains In private ownership, <an audit of oper.ation costs and In- ccame Is not so easy to obtain, and when secured mlay I)e a very involved presentation, with very llttie Informa¬ tion available therefrom to the public.
As to the possibility of the utility becoming a • political footliall, we have heard the accuaatlon during? the past 40 years applied more or less justly under private m,anagoment. Be that as it may, under public own¬ ership if politics become involved In tho managomcnt, the people have tho remedy In the exercise of their fran¬ chise at the polls, while 1( the pri¬ vately owned utility seeks political preferment or power, the remedy is much more ooatly, much more involv¬ ed and requires a great deal more time.
Remember, thc water consumers carry the burden. U'nder borough owti- ershlp this burden may be lower in dollars and centa than under th« present   system.
Norman F, Tayi'or Receives Commis¬ sion
The Justice of the Feace comjm^s- Bion for Norman P. Taylor, of Amib¬ ler, has been received by the re¬ corder of deeds at Norristown, and Mr. 'Ta'ylor will qualify at anice.
Other oommlasions are for: John H. Lewis, North Wales; Clarence L.. J-ewis and Oeo. W. KcGool. Katflead; W. Barl Markley, TVoroester; Michael M. Sdan- lon, Upper Dublin; Harry H. Smiith, Ekist Norriton and others.
R. George Harvey  Resignes.
R, Georgo Harvey, chief of tho Phila. deli^hia offl'ce,^of the United States Bureau of investigation, has resigned to take a position in the law dopart- iTtent of the B. I. Dupont de Nemours Comipany, at 'Wilmington, beginning January 1. Chief Harvey is well known to every chief ot police in the county. On several occasions he addressed tho members of the Montgwmlery County Police Chiefs' Association at their monthly sessions. Hie knowledge of police work against criminals, whose specialty is major crimes was a re¬ velation to the mieimlbers of the as¬ socation, many of whom already have declared that the United Stittes Do¬ p.artment of Criminal Justice has suf¬ fered a severe loss in hia leaving the service.
PHILA. ELECTRIC CO. NEW YEAR GREETING
THE OLD AND THE NEW YEAR.
The Old Yoar'H course l.s .almost dono, The hours arc peiswing ono by one.
And strike its dying knoll; The mionths and weeks and days are
cast Into  tho sepulchre of the past.—
Farewell,  Old Year, farewell.
PRESIDENT   TAYLOR   SPEAKS   OF BUSINESS   OUTLOOK
Engagement Mr. and Mrs. Harry F. Rebniann, of Mt. Airy, announce the engage¬ ment of their daughter, Mi.ss Edith Rebniann, and Mr. Harry C. Ambler. 2d, son of Dr. and Mrs. William S. Ambler,  of Germantown.
M STAND ON LOCAL WATER CO. OWNERSHIP
WRITE THE "GAZETTE." AND GIVE YOUR VIEWS
the
Whether for or Against Borough Con¬ trol, Let the Public and Council' Ben. fit by Ycur Thoughts on the Im¬ portant  Question
What do you think the Borough should do with regard to ownership of the local water companies?
If you have thoughts on the miat¬ ter, the "Gazette" will be pleased to give space for a public discussion of the questions involved.
Write the "Gazette." Your name will not be divulged except by your re¬ quest.
Much interest has been mliinifest in the subject since the meeting in the town hall  on Eee.  18.  In  a  number of
fact tteU money rates are very attr.ac- ,^^^^^^^^   ,^^^,    ^j^ji^ ^„^      i^^^^ <^^^„_ tive  at    presont,   and   it   is     probable   ^^^^.^^ ^^^ ^^^ ^ ^^^^^.^ J^ dl..cusslon.
From the opinions expressed  it is  in-
that tho high flnancial credit of Amb¬
lor  would    poi-mit a    bond  Issuo    for i
dlioatod    that    if  the  citizens  of    the
this purpose probably on a three per- j ^^^^^ ^^^^^ ^j,^^ ^^ ^.^^^ ^^
,r;nt coupon rate. It is probably, how-| ^j^^ question,    the    decision    probably
cvor, tho Ambler Spring Water Co. has paid at least six percent return to   its   stockholders.
There are 1700 consumers on the lines of the two water companies, and the.se are vitally Interested in quali¬ ty, volume and rates, which appi rent- ly are sulticiont and satisf.ictory at the present time, but certainly there should bo no objection to lower rates, provided etflcienoy of management and purity and volume or the product are   maintained.
I'.'iigincor Haydock has stated that undor borough ownei^hip present rates to consumers can be re luoed sovoral dollars per year without dan¬ ger of we.akenln.g the flnancial set- ui> or impairing the physical stnicture of the plant, and at the same time .a .substsintial sum can be set aside from the earnings as a fund to rrovlde ft)r replacements of more than tlie ordinary  nature.
Anothor item of saving, which has beon little emphasized, but which will acHirue to tho plant, is the reduc¬ tion of power rates granted by tho Phila. Kiectric Co. It is stated that |jh!f^ saving for next year will amount Irom   ;;l,0.'JO.   to   $1,200.   In   cau^     -'
ot
would be in favor of the boi^jugih buy¬ ing the water company.
Wider Uses of Electricity for the Work and Comforts of Man If Busi¬ ness Is Encouraged—Recovery of In¬ dustry   is   Assured
On the eve of the New Year, AV. H. Taylor, pro.slden.t of the Phlla. Elloctrlc Co.,  issued the following statement:
Tho New Year opens with brighter promise than anv other New Yoar since 1930. People feel encouraged by tbe slow improvement in business which began Last Snrinir and look forward hopefully for qrradual better¬ ment In condltion.s. These hope i are fortified by the knowledge that the United States has gone through other disastrous periods and has emerged i from  them  stronger than  ever.
The electric Industry, providing public service for the lactory, the store, the home and. in fact, for trade in all its phase.s, feels any change in business very quickly. Therfore, the rise in the nroduction and use of electric energy, wliloh brought the output up to its highest levels for all time during the later months of 193!i, mav be looked uiM>n il.s proof that conditions have been and are getting better alone a broad line which includes virtually every line of trade.
I feel thiLt it business is given a reasonable chance we shall continue to enjoy not only the ofiiects of the present improvoment, but that we may iook for an enlargement ot the fav¬ orable factors. It should be 'jtept in mind that we may look for an en¬ largement of the lavorablo factors. It should be kept in mind tnat tht> de¬ pends on whether or not those who best know- and understand their par¬ ticular lines of business are permitted to manage their businesses witli a minimum  oi  interference.
It is within the power of the peopie generally to determine the extent to which trade and industrv shall be allowed to operate without improper restraint. In this connection, it should lie said th.at the Philadolphia Electric Comi>any has never wavered in its faith that the people, when correctly and fully Informed, will decide and act rightly and  fairly.
The past year has seen rate reduc¬ tions of large proportions and of true beneflt to the public. There have been important additions to the facilities at the disposal of the compiiny for its service to the public. These additions assure not only adeuuate and unin- torruptod service, but an increased capacity to meet hoped-1'or increases in uso which, in turn, should lead to stiil  iurther reductions in rates.
These are our hopes. They are more thain that—they represent our goal. Our sales organiziatioiis are hard at work to carry our service to more in- dustires, to more homes and to en¬ large the use of our product general¬ ly.
It should be borne in mind, though, tluit the constant increases m taxes make it more and more difflcult to reduce rates.
At this timo, each dollar rocoived by us actually amounts to only about 8C cents'—the other 15 cents goes for taxes. -I
This is a grave problem and it is one with which tho electric industry finds Itself confronted at all sea.sons. The people genoimlly are immed¬ iately and importantly concerned with this problem, for taxes h.ave a great bearing on the charges maae bi thia and   other conipiinies.
The electric industry prospers, its service expands and its i-atoa go lower as the use of its product increases in the factories and homes. Now lines of work, new inventions and the de¬ velopment of new processes all are helpful. And, one thing that .stre.igth- ens our confidence in the future is the knowledge that progress  has  juist
E
AMBLER SEWER SYSTEM
COVERS  YEAR'S    ACTIVITIES    OF THE  PROJECT
The last link in the Old Year's chain Is now exhausted. Ti'mie again
Adjusts its drum, to span The rounds of months and weeks andj Delays  During  Summer Due  to  Stop-
days, Ju.st in the .self-s.ame old, old w'ays As when thoy flrst began.
page of LWD Aid fron!) Federal Gov-
between the pump house and digcstors h.as been placed.
In the nvoantimo an application was prepared and submitted to the I'ubiic | Works Administration for funds to con struct the remaining portion of sewers j in areas designated as Projects Nos. 2, 3 and 4. This application was sub¬ mitted for approv.al to the I'W^A on Aug. 22nd, and received prollmlinary approval from the PWA on October 19th.
j'EARE CUT URGED BY READING'S NEW HEAO
PRESIDENT SCHEER MAKES PRO¬ PHETIC   STATEMENT
A bond hssue  of $165,000 was voted, Confident  Decreose Wiil   Restore  Rail
»    K,„     .     ,.    ,.        r,          *,    , I'y a .substantial majority of tho cltiz- road   Success—Would   Welcome   Re-
M   T      A        !r APP^cations Promptly, pns of Ambler on Nov. Bth. $130,000 of duction   Being   Considered   by   Inter-
Made-Av.ards for Projects 2, 3 and 4 . this was to be the Borough's share of state   Commerce   Commission
_    ,    .,           J - ,     ,        ,     ,.,         ,       !     At tho addjourned meeting of Ambler ' the c(.ists of projects Nos. 2, 3 and 4; mi,.™-.!   -nr   c, u
Go forth, good friend, and without foar I c,,^„^.,^,,^„^^^y^^^„i„„^^^^f,^,^^^,j„^^:jh3   remaining   $35,000   to   be   used   t^ reV^ZT  "                -  ."augurated   his
report   from   A.   Brinton   Oirson,   for , comploto   construction of    the sewage nf T^ln;>n?,r'.''T.'l ",                  '^*''
Albright and Friel, Inc., enginoors, was ' troatment plant. R.filr, nr^ nn ^4;.    h    '^     !["''"' .'''""'""
•     - - .                   -              —    .         --       . Hulroad  on  Saturday w-ith  a declara-
And walk abreast of the New Year.
And   arm   you  for  the flght; Ufe is a real old battle field. Yet, God will be your "sun and shield"
TO' aid you in the right.
Should darkening clouds around    you
form. Or e'er o'erwhelmed by a bleak storm!
Tho sun still shines aliove: — God and all good will bo your wreath And you may ever  walk beneath—
His canopy  of love.
TIpon  the parchment of the years What now we write again appears,—
It  is what God doth ask: Fill in  the blanks left for each day With works of faith and herein stay.
Be loyal to your task. Ambler, Pa. W. J. JOHN.
presented   and  read   by   Harry  Davis, chairman of the Sewer Commiittee: At   the  beginning  of  Januarj-,   1935,
Bids w"ero taken on Projects No.«. 3 and 4 on Dec. 6th, the Borough secur¬ ing five bids on each contract. It was
[ tion in favor of lower passenger fares as an Inducomont to Inore.ase ti cffic. "I would bo glad to see a reduction approximately 9000 feet of sewer lines recommended that the contract be, ,„ j^res such as, it is reported, the had been laid in tho Borough of Amib- awarded to the low bidders in each interstate Commerce Commission is ier through funds furnLshed jointly by   case, who are as follows: considering,"   he   said.   "I   bellev ;     It
the  Boroug'h    of Amblor    and    Local       Project No. 2-HContract "A"—Angelo  .^ould  nuiko  for a heavy  increa le  in
Works   Division   of   the  Federal  Bm-   Lucenti $67,875.75   irafn,..     in   my     opinion,   people    are
ergoncy  Reliet Admini.stration.      This       Projeot No. 3—Contract "B"—Jos«Ti«i i anxious to get away from the dangers
work  had  been l>egun  in  the  previous   Salvucci Co   $62,898.40, „).  highway   travo'.   With   the  increa.se
October.      The flOOO feet     represented      I'roject  No.  4—Contract  "C"—Major 1 )„ .automobile  traflic,  both  commercial about   36   percent   of   the   total   length   Construction   Co ^ ....   $64,017.00 . and  private,     the   perils  of  the     hlgh-
f sower to bo oonstructod In the area designated as Project No. 1.
From Jan. 21st Whon j;. N. Prlscoll becajmie Superintendent in charge of sewer construction until July 19th, when the work was shut down by the LWD due to lack of funds, an addi¬ tional 14,000 feet of sewor line hai been completed in Project No. 1. On this dato 94 percent of the sewer lines in Project No. 1 had beon eomjileted. Coustruction sewers during this period
Tho followin.g tabulation gives a corrbparison betweon the bids received and  tho funds available.
Total Construction     $194,731.15
Engineering      11,700.00
Right-of-way, etc. . .i  1,000.00
Legal  &  Bond Printing '    1,000.00
Intorest Luring Construction
j     $130,000 for 12 mKintha at
!     2 Vi percent  2,925.00
Total       $211,416.15
; Funds Available
P'AVA $107,106.00
Borough 130.000.00  237,106.00   Ja^Ji^n'
Of isovere   winter   woathor  and"partly; ^".'T:',"«._'^ ^"'^ Construction
NnPAl     PUI   DPLICO   '^'* ""'  progress as  rapidly as dV?slr J JnL   U ' I  tl I  iLui ^^^^' '^^""¦'^ paitly to the two months
w.ays are increasing, whilo, with ever- incroa.sing safety devices the danser of rail travel is being i-eauced to a minimum."
All about the bright and spA.cloUH offiice of the president or the Readijig Company were huge ba.skets of flow¬ ers sent him by executives ot other rallroivds, department heads, organi¬ zations of workers and friend.s. a:^ te.stimony of their admir<ation- for and lojTalty to him. On his desk witS a pile  of  telegrams  conveying oongratu-
FPOGRAMS     BEAR-   TRIBUTE    TO NEW   BORN   BABE
Song and Story, Sermon and  Program, Music    and      Decorations     Reverent
to dlifTiculties growing out of the use of jrelief laV)or. The average nimabor oi mon employed during this period was 200. j
$25,689.85
Account
Bond I.S-SUO $165,000.00
Premium 1,409.00
Total Punds A.vallable      $166,409.00
,  ,,     Less $130,000 to be placed in separate Work   on   the sewers  was   partially ; p^^,^ Construction Account as In iic-n-'
resumed on July 22, solely for the pur, | ^^ ^^^^^ $130,000 00
WnrMn   in   Annual   Observan-e   by' ^"¦''^  "^ '>''^'^-l^fll»"e open trenches and  j,„^^„ ^^ conrplete sewage    treatm.. n    » r„n^r»t«tion. °'''^'^^"'''   ^^   cleaning up streets. This clean-up work I     ^^^ks and sewers in District Large Congregations ^.^^^   ^^^^   un^lp^   the   direction   of  P. '
begun tho previous November also un¬ der funds furnished jointly be the LWi:
Christmlas  seemed to have a deeper' l. Keiser who had beon Superintendent! signiflcance   than  usual   this  year,     if; ;„ charge of tho plant, that  were  possible.  At  any  rate,   thei     At   tho   beginning of Janu.ary,   1935, local churches put forth greater effort,   work on  the  construction  of the sew- and   the  resiionses   were Larger  audi-   age  treatment  plant  which  had   boen ences,     a     wider     appreciation     and deeper- spirituality.
Trinity Memorial Hpiseopal Church, Rev. W. F. Lutz, rector, held a mid¬ night service on Chrigtmas eve, with special music, which, as usual, was largely attended.
In the Presbyterian Church, the ! for the sludge bed walls. Young People's organization conducted i on January 22nd. P. L. Keiser super- a serice at 7 o'dlock on Christmas j ^.^^p,, j j,j i^riscoll as Superintendent miorning. Norman Krieble, Jr., presid- | j^ charge of construction. Work con¬ ed, and the speaker'was Spencer Little, tin„e.j throughout the winter despite of the University of Tennessee. threatened   shut-,(lowns   in   May   and
Tho   annual   parties   <|5jhe   Sunday  June until July IPth,    when    all wtork
stopped.  During  thi.s  poriod  tho  staff of men on the plant .averaged 90.
On July 22nd, premisslon w<as grant¬ ed by the LWD to proceed with work on the plant within tho limit of $2000 to be used for tabor only. This exten¬ sion was for tho definite purpose of completing the form of the Primary Settling Tank and pouring the con¬ crete; to clo.an-up North Street and Woodland Avenue ana any other places whioh had been left in a dangerous condition. AVork progressed under this arrange-
No. 1       $36,409.00
Cn December 21st, the Public Works Adimlinistration approved the award of tho contracts to the contractors listed above W^ork on these c<intiiacts will be
begun as soon as bonds havo been furnished and contracts signed.
It is expected that thc sewers in Pro- and the Borough of Ambler had pro- ; j^^t Nto. 1 and the sewage treatment gressed to the extent of excavations. ^^^^^ .^^,i„ j^^ comipleted within six for the Pump House and settling tanks., n^^nths. The time limit specifled in The only concrete which had been ' contracts "A", "B" and "C" is 8 poured at this time were the footings , months. It is therefore anticipated that
the entire sewerage system of the borough of Amibler will be ready for operation by the 1st of noxt Septeniilier. Respectfully .submitted
A. BRINTON CARSON, for Albright and  Friel,  Inc.
School were held ThurWgr afternoon and evoning. The pi iiiiirT^anilXogln- ners' departments mot In the afternoon with about seventy-flve present. The story of the birth of 'Christ was en¬ acted by Donald Osterhout as Joseph; Ann Biddle as Mary; Robert Astler and Robert Jones as shepherds; Nancy Ewing <as the angel, and Walter Kins, Betty Miller, and iftiry Jane AVJUox as the wise men. Mrs .Norman F. Kriebel reiad the story during the pan¬ tomime, and Mlss KOizabeth Lott ac¬ companied in the piano.
Santa  Claus,   imipersonated  by  Mrs. | ment from July 22nd until August Sth,
Lewis L. Staiil, was present and gave } when  word was  received  of an  addi-
j b::xes of candy to the ohildren. Ch'ld- I ren who received awards for go«3d at- I tendance were: Mary Jane Willo.x, Josephine Crockett, D'Orothy King, Wal
tlon.a'l allotment of $1000 to continue work. On Augaist Oth, word canio from tho L"\\T to shut down. Work was re¬ sumed   on  Aug.  12  with   13   men  and
project,   and   |9,000   Is   Returned   to General Treasury
Aimbler Borough, this week, will re¬ ceive the proceeds of the $165,000 Iwmd issue, plus the premium of $1409 an<l less the Interest at 2V4 percent from Bee. 15. Messrs. Troster and Foulke met at the office of Blyth and Co. on on Sunday by John McI!lro>- were given ¦^vhen work on the plant was finally i Tuesday. The latter were awarded the   ,. ,.„ .„„.,._ shut-down  all    the  concrete  on    the! ^"""^ '«'^"''' "'>"'* t'^e check therefor will
pump    house      had      boen       poured, '¦ ^ ''^«"<^'* '^^ *'"'=«. as    had     that     on     the     p r i ni a r y
jter and  Alfred King. Refreshments of  continued   that  week  until   the     10th, ] ice cream and     pretzels were served, i whon   all   work  was  stopped   for    an Pictures of the ciassos at work taken i indefinite period.
It Is pointed out Chat there is quite i "'"  '"       ,.,,., ,,    ..,, ,
a  difference  in  the antount  of  water! f'^'^"" '^".'» "?.^' '^''":': '« ""^^^ ^^Ul to
allowed   fbr   the  mlnimun   charge   be-   ^e done in the world.
tween what is enjoyed by residents of       ^ ^""l f^" ^f "'^ ^" extr.act trom
Anfbler and vicinity and that of other', :^. report  issued  by    he   Oni od States
privately owned water companies. Thoy! ^""™!'^-^'""'='-  "/   ^'^^"'' ""  l^^'*-'     ^^
¦ that  time,    half  a  century ago,    this
to the children.
lit the evening the senior ofasses had their party. A play entitled, "Oome Any Time,
Cassel,     V..„      -        -,.,,,.,. , ^ „    „.  — •' ' w if
Little, Betty Nice, Louise Fertsch, and ; settling tank had boen poured. All con- ! ^^ *      present.
" was given by Misses Jean ! settling  tank. Vhe"bottoms'of  the   six ^ journed meting, with President Troster, irginia     Finney,     Josephine ; .aemtors and fhe  fioor of the secondary i'^'^'^ ^'^^¦''*"'*'- ^^''^^'¦''> J""*"'^' '^^V''^"^"'''^"'1
Martha Fulton. Rev. J. M. Ewlng, R.as-[crote cn the two digesters had been tor, prosented the awards for attend- j poured. 90 percent of the concrete on ance. Thei-e were about 140 people the sludge drying bod had been poured present. Refrot-hments were served. and all the glass enclosure had been. The Luther League of the Upper i erected, glazed and painted. Much of Dublin Lutheran Church heid a sei-vice , the interior and sub-suiface piping had
Mr. Scheor showed no eviaence that he was puffed up by these tribute.s. He an.'^werod all qucsthms openly and candidly, explaining th<at. he is still "Just a country boy trying to get ahead," as he was when tie entered railroading 45 years ago as a mes¬ senger  boy.
Both Mr. Scheei- and Revelle W. Brown, who nioved into vice prresi- dency, former'y occupied by th< for¬ mer, woi-e long in tho employ of th? Baltimore & Ohio Railroad, whicb ! holds a hoavy intorest in both the Reiiding Company and the ..lersey Central. Asked if their e'levation In¬ dicated that the B. & O. would now assume a more dominant position in I the affairs of the other two roads, he replied that there would be no change in  the .situation'.
'That is," ho amended quickly, "un¬ less the I. C. C. adoi>ts the Big--} merger scheme for Ela.stern roads whiich has been under discussion for so  long."
He was inclined to pay little at¬ tention to the proposal made by South .lersey Alayors at a recent meeting that the State buy and operati.; all Sxids within its IwjfPM. "Sew Jer¬ sey has the highest taxes now of any State in tho Union," ho said, "so where would they get the money for such   a  tremendous   purch.ase?"
Air-conditioning   of   passenger trains   . will   continue     as   rapid'.y  as   pos.slble, ho stated, and  he expressea tbe  hope that   before   long  .all   the   main   trainj of the line will be so oquippe<l.
"Pei>plo now demand .air-conditioned ti\ains,"  ho  .said,  "and we  will  ao our Of the '1166,409,   Less   Interest,  |35,O031 host   to  meet  that   demand."   But    be Is   Repaid  the  Sewer Fund  of  No  1 I envisioned   no   exten.sion   of  the   line's
present bus services unless special re.-' sorved      highways      are      oonsir.jcted, which   he  considered     "a.  very   exiien- sive  proposition."
• As for work in the company's' shops, he .said, that an extensive pro¬ gram had been laid out. At the St. (¦•lair shops work will be started al¬ most immodiatoly on the reconstruc¬ tion t>t hopper, coal and freight cars. Undor an agreement of the Americsm Association of It.ailroads ail freight cars which are Interchangeable be¬ tween difl'crent ro.ids must have cast stool side frame trucKs, replacing arch Uar trucks, now lurgeiy iti use. Tho  two    railroads  havo  10,000     ;iuch
lAlLER 10 RECEIVE BOND SALE PROCEEDS
OFFICIALS SIGNED THE BONDS ON TUESDAY
Council  met Monday evoning  in .ad-
last Sunday evening at 7.30, which was i led by Mrs. M. L. Tozer, and "The I Story 'Of the  Other AVise Mian"     was
I of the latter returned to the general j treasury for advances made during the I year.
Treasurer  Weber   submitted     state¬ ment  of  sinking fund  needs  for     the year in the amount of $6000. 45 percent was   approximately   $40,000   worth   of | „f ^^^^ dividend    from    the  First  Na-
'¦  "       the
been  completed. At the time of the .shut-down there
Prom tho proceeds of the bond issue, $35,000   was   ordered   returned   to   tho
sewer fund of No. 1 project, and $9,000 | airs,  and  the  ch.in.ge  will  cost  about
$21)0 per car, m.iking a total of $2,- 900,000 to be si>ent on this item alone in  the  next  two years.
"I see a deflnite uptrend in business generally and especial y in the rail¬ road   busines.s,"   said   Mr.   Schoer     in
say this is one of the main seasons for the contention that Amiblor sho ild own  the wiater company.
It is saiid to place so snuaill amiount of Water as the minimum Will affect the renter as well as the owner of the property. In other sections where waiter companies are privately owned it is a known fact that leases are drawn by the landlord or ihls agent in such a .mlanner as to require the tenant to pay the excess water uvd above the minimum.
WiJliam Johnson, who was clerk of Amlblor borough council for mlany year.s, said recenitly. "It is a birfhright of the poople, and therefoiv in pur¬ chiasing tho water coni'pjiny oouncil will be doing a splenald thin.g In giving back to the people a utility tha't never should have been pormittod to p,a.ss in¬ to the hands of private owniorship. In due tUme the residents of tho borougii
iMnigh ownership of the system this ^^ill see the wlsd'om of buying ono of saving would accrue to surplus the mo«t needed uWlities to tho people account.   Under   private   ownership   it   ^f A:m|bler." i
could be absorbed by v/ell-known , some of the town's oldest residents bookkeeping  methods. have  indicated  that  they  are  heartily
Con.sidoring ail of the above items : i„ f^vor of borough owor.ship. H nv- It is conservatively estimated that a ever, the entire matter roats with the V .tential savin:,' ot fully $12,000 i.-* members of oouncjl. What they will do poi^sib'e   undor   borough   ownership   as   „„ this all-lmlportant question renutlns
opposed to private management ot tho two comiwnios, wliich la the basis for Engineer Haydock's state¬ ment that under present eondltlons of the money market, borough oiieratlon of the water utility tor Anibler would prove profltable. Present i^ates can be lowered, and at the same time a sub¬ stantial balance could bo applied to tiurp'us    account  to meet    future exi-
to be seen;. Nevertheless, many are of the opinion that oouncil will mrt per- mit the wator company to be bought by private jiartles who have no in¬ terest In A,n^bIer. With Dr. Mattison, his. control was va«tly different. He possosised both maufacturing and property interests here, and wlais a/l.so ajtorge creator of taxable proporty. |r^ther Words his interests were the
of extensions  and  substantial! iixi'i^est  patrons  of    bis    W"ater
gencios ^mi^rovementa  as   nocossary.
If the water conipany is municiiial- ly owned, a public tiu'diit of the opi'ra-
|luu will be available uvcry year, and
eom-
¦1 \im
l>anles. ? )
fWirlte your lettor.s to tho "Ga;8»itto," Aniiblor Borough Counoil w'iU .appreciate I your  thoughts  on  the subject.
half a century ago labor otticial took tho view that near¬ ly everything necessary to the main¬ tenance of daily lite (as moasin'od by the living standards of that iieriod) had been invented and ooriipleted. It WUs hi'.5 idea that the big job of the American poople had been finished. Thus he s;iw an end to all ot the larger opportunities in trade and in industry.
The gloomy prediction of that far- off time had been disproved by i very- thing we soe around us. Homes are better built and bettor equipped for comliort. Thoro is the radio, the air- Piano, the automobile, tno air londi- tloning system, just to name a lew of the things that stevnd out to show what has been accomplished on top of what once seenitxl, at least to some persons, tho "flni.shed civiliaatio:i" of 50 years ago.
We cannot see into the future—into the next 50 year-s—iiny better than that labor olfiicial of 1886. But we can and do look Into the future of tho American people with confldence and faith that still now \Munders are to como.
The electric industry has made its greatest advances and its broadest expansion of public usefulness in loss than 50 years. It still is new. Tho mon and wonion engaged In It know that. Thoy aro working earnestly day by day to improve our service so that it may be sure to ::eep stop With tho march of progress and so that thoy may stand shoulder to shoulder with the other earnest men and women who are striving to help the country lxu;k to sound and prosper¬ ous business  conditions.
! read.  On   Christmas  irinJorning    candle i .„,,.,.prini   imi     nrminm.pnt   which     thi.     .       . „     . • ... ..      ... .
I i-„.i.t     „.,!.. I,  11  „. I-    '..i^ 1,        i "J-ttoriai   ana     cquipmoni   wnicn     tue, tional Bank, a sum of $1376.45, will be
light service  was held at  6   o clock.       ! Borough of AmMer had purchased but   „„.,   ...  the  Pickprinir Fund I     Tho Brotherhood of this church will:,vhich   had      not   yot   been     installed,   "^ The  boLghwH   make  application
sponsor a New Year's ove service from   p,..,,ed  on  the  site.  This  includod  si.x   at once under tl^IpA\TLloin*n^^ I 9  O'clock to  midnight. A s,>ocial  tro-   ^^wage and sludge pumps, flve aerator, ^ *^     ^^ ^ aliol^mfcnt fo,
gram will  be  followed  by devotional.-   „„its,  fonr sludge  collectors,    exterior'
as the hour of 12 a,pproachos. ! faco  brick,   interior  tile,  all   electrical
I     In  St.  John's  Lutheran  Church  the | pfj^lprnpnt, piping    and    miscellaneous'
i Christmas     program    ofthe    Sunday 1 i,.on work Aftor the shut-down for the i School was presented Sunday evcnln.g, , protection of those and other materials I Dec. 22, whon a beautiful pageant was | jhe  Borough   supplied   two  watchmen, prosented   under   the   direction   of   thei„,orking in twelve hour shifts, to pro- Luther League. I tect the Borough's interest in the pro- On Christmas imiorning at  6  o'clock | ject   until   such   time   as   work   would the Luther League hold a service under  i,e resuimed the leadership of Miss Helen Albert. ^^^j^^ ^^^ ,^^^^^. ^^^^.^ ^j j^,,^ ^^^, ^^^
Ifirst of Ausust a new application for I funds to complete sewors and sewage 1 plant   undor  tho  Works Progress Ad-
In Calvary Methodist Church Sun¬ day, Dec. 22, was o'.i.served as Christ¬ mas Sabbath, with a Chrlstmtis soilnwm in the niorning by the imstor. Rev. C. M.  Cherry, with appropriate niusi?.
In the evening tho clioir presented the cantata, "Tho Manger and the Star." On Christnias eve tho carollers went forth from this church. At 6.30 Christmas mornin,g a service was held. Trumpeters opened the program with carols on the cliurch 'Steip.s, and the interior was lighted only by candles.
On Thursday evening hast  tho  Sun¬ day School gave a splendid Chri.stmas entertainment  directed  by  Mrs.   Jesso Myers. Santa Claus appeared, and gifts ! wore presented and awards announced j
'In the Mt. I'leasant Itopti.st Church, ;
25 percent of contractors' costs of sowor projeots Nos. 2, 3 and 4, in anviunt of .s'ome $53,000.
Due to winter weather and increased costs on the sewor No. 1 project, <a supplemental application for WPA funds in the amount of $i50,000 will be made through the proper agencies.
The report of the engineers was roa.l by Han-y Davis, and his report is pub-
CHRISTMAS   DAY   FIRE
Eflective   Work   by     Ambler   Firemen on   Walnut  Street
bringing the interview to a clof.i!. - "As 1 see the coming year will be a better ono tlvvn any we have known for a long time. Give us a 10 percent increiise in trafflc, b'Jth froLght and ]>a.ssonger, and we will not have a groat deal to worry about. I antici- liate that our report for the next quarter  will  bo   vory  favorable."
ministration, was prepared in conjunc- !
tion with the Norristown offlco of tho ^n overheated chlmnov Avas rosp(m- lAY.r.'. This called in detail for com- ^JMe f„r a flro th.i.t occurred on the pletion of all items relating to tho, third floor of the proporty of Dome- sewage plant, for the c(mipIetlon ofmiek Commasso at No. 8 Walnut 1500 foet of sewers romaining in Pro-j street. It was shortly after 2 o'clock ject No 1 as well as for repairing Christmas aftorno<in that members of broken sidewalks, etc. the family  of  Frank  Cuifo,  who  lives
On Nov. 25th, more than three | on Main street saw smoke coming mcmths after the final shut-down, woi-k | from the roof of tho Conim.as.'^o prop- was rosumod undor the PWA on the i erty. An alarm was sent and tho Wis- plant and sewers. The construction of! .sahickon Fire Comiiany arrived the  plant  and   the  complotion   of  the; piomptly.     I'lowever,     tho   blaze    had
sewer,s in Project No. 1 are at present in progress under tho direction of P, L.  Keiser,  Superintendent.
gained considerab'o he.adway. and for more than one hour the firomci. h.ad (luite  a   fl.glit  on   thoir hands.   It  was
i due to the recent death of thc pastor, I Rev. Charles Millei-. no special sorvicos Since work has been resumed, the reallKod by the large crowd of ]>ooplo I were held. On Sunday imorn;n;.r, Deo. 22, ' sower in Bethiehom Piko, between | looking on that if tho biaze got be- ' there was an appropri.ate soi-mon i'Woodland and Lindonwold Avenues has i J'ond control there would be danger I preaohed by Rev. BaTid Alexander and \ ^oen Ijiid and backf.llod. Several con- ! of Ambler having one of the l;u-gost j special Christmas music was iniprcs-j^'iete sidewalks have lieen repaired and ^ flres In the history of the borough. ¦ sivoly given by the choir. relaid. At tho plant the low lower wall.'^i For this reason the intelligent and  .                        of the digestor pipe gallery have been i effective
—The Buckingham garage has been purchased by Horace T. Mytia.
Will of Mary A. L. Jones Tho .$10,380 estate of Mrs. Mary A. L. .limes, a wldtiw, who died Doconi- bor 6 at 7200 Creshoim road, was left in trust to a daughtor, Mrs. Caroline W.C».-5'.hoinier, and a tCJn, John L. Jonea. ,   ,
work of the firemen was poured, drain tile has beon laid in tho ! commended, as a nunil>or of frame sludge bed, brickwork is a quarter of j buildings     surround     tho   Comma.sso's
tlio way up on tho pump houso, forms for aemtor.s, and socondai-y settling tanks are being built and sot in pl.ace.
property.  The fire damage  to tin, lat tor    proporty     was  confined    to     the third  floor,  but waler  soopod   through
l-ink-Iiolt C((lioctors havo been installed j to tho lower floors. Tlio damage is os- in the pi-imary tanks, and aome pipins' timated at several hundred dollars.
Miss Mulvany Engaged
Mr. and Mrs. Charles K. Mulvany, of Aniblor Highlands, F'ort Wosihing-ton, announce the engagomeinit of their daughter. Miss Janet Wise Mulvany, to -Mr. Thon-iias Z. Minehart, son of Mrs. John R. Mineliart and th'o. late Dr. Minohart, of G-emiantowii.
JMiss Mulvany ia a graduate of Goorge Scliool, NoWtoiwn, I'enna., and is an active moniibur of the Gormiau- town Theatre Guild.
Mr. Minohart is a gnuluate of Temple University and Temple Liiw School, and is a mcmilbor ot the I'iiiUidolphia Bar. ,
Large  Sale  Negotiated
One of tlio largest reaii.v xm isao- tions of tho past year was negotiated during last woek by Albert U. Lieb- orman,   Inc.
It involved the sale of threo four- stor.v aimrtmont building.s. They aro tho IClngsloy, 2S0U W. Quoen lane, Ro.slyn Hall, southwest corner Roslyn .street and l.rimoklln pike; Church Lune Manor, 700-15 E. Church Line. Tho threo buildings contain 130 apartments and are totally asfcossed at   $3,'i8,600.
Tho D.ihl Realty Company pureh.as¬ ed the pioporties. It is comiKised of a .group of New York investors who will hold tho properties as an investment. Tho properties represent an annual income of $70.iM)ii, Tho purchase prioo waii   nut   dlticloaed.