The Courier-News from Bridgewater, New Jersey • Page 8

HZ v. r- 'V It's Been Said Life is the soul's nursery its training place for the destinies of eternity. William Makepeace Thackeray THE CO D-NEW SECOND SECTION Suburban News Telephone PLainfield 7-4000 PLAIN FIELD, NEW JERSEY, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 1961 PAGE 27 v. v- 1 lUUhl BO? Route 22 Headache Hi ghivay uMtlUHtWl. u.

Jw, i ,4,1. Sunday Sale Law Amended 39,000 Vehicles Daily Flow Through Borough ROUTE 22 TRAFFIC VOLUME Average Day in 1960 Plainfield station at 70,000 gross tons.) There is one truck to every 4.46 passenger cars. A total of 14,245,000 passenger cars, trucks, buses and other vehicles passed Somerset St. in 1960. TO GET AN IDEA of that special problem of the road those daily "tides" look at it as the State Highway Department engineers and the state police do.

Go out for a drive along the road between 8 and 9 p.m. On average, you would find 775 vehicles moving along the westbound lanes, and 575 vehicles, along the eastbound lanes. .1 .1 became so concerned abMit acci dents along the road last year that he posted special speed regulations. And this year-so far Somerville Council Hears Ministers Oppose Change Somerville With two min isters requesting retention of a Sunday closing ordinance, the Borough Council adopted amendments to the current ordinance, which as one minister noted, "amends the ordinance out of existence." In a 4-1 vote, the council adopted amendments which al lowed businesses to remain open until 1 p.m. Sunday.

The new overload is repeated on the average morning. During the hour between 7 and 8 a.m., 1,925 pass Somerset St. eastbound and westbound, for a total flow of 3,000 vehicles an hour, or a rate of 72,000 vehicles a day. Between the morning and evening rush hours, traffic along the road never gets below 1,950 vehicles an hour: It is still overloaded according to the SHD computations. After 9 p.m., the traffic drops off dramatically, down to 960 an hour between 11 p.m.

and mid night and to a sleepy 295 an hour between 3 and 4 a.m., mostly truckers heading for New York or the West in the pre-dawn. As the minutes tick away, traffic along the road builds up again. Between 4 and 6 a.m., it mounts to 535 vehicles an hour. Then the early commuters move onto it again. Between 6 and 7 a.m., the road Both Hour Eastbound Westbound Ways 4:00 a.m.

200 95 295 5:00 a.m. 320 115 435 6:00 a.m 500 125 625 7:00 a.m 1,650 275 1,925 8:00 a.m. 1,925 1,075 3,000 1:00 p.m. 850 1,100 1,950 3:00 p.nu 1,000 1,000 2,000 4:00 p.m. 1,250 1,150 2,400 5:00 p.m 1,500 1,600 3,100 6:00 p.m 1,350 1,750 3,100 7:00 p.m 950 1,300 2,250 8:00 p.m 775 900 1,675 9:00 p.m 575 775 1,350 p.m.

520 700 1,220 pjn 500 600 1,100 385 575 960 Route 22 is one of the great roads of the state, and one which is presenting monumental problems of traffic control and safety engineering. This is the second of a series of five articles on the road and its problems and what is being done about them, and how effectively. By W. J. McFADDEN JR.

A jtorist, mired one evening recently in Route 22 westbound during the commuter rush, turn-j ed to his companion and remark-; "This isn't a highway. It's a headache!" Many people say "Amen!" to that thought, not only other: homeward bound commuters, but officials charged with the function and safety as a road. As, for instance, State Police Capt. James W. Roseberry.

He is commandant of Troop based at Morristown. More than a fourth of his force of 184 men is posted at four stations along Route 22. "Traffic and safety enforcement a long Route 22?" He night and day, day and night at all hours. But their peak is dur ing the period from midnight to dawn, when hardly any passenger cars are on the road. "They roll through then almost like a railroad train," Capt.

Roseberry said. HERE ARE SOME of the statistics developed during state Highway Department surveys conducts at North Plainfield last year: On fin average day, 39,000 vehicles pass Somerset St. in Route 22. Of that, 30,420 are passenger cars. (The Jersey Central estimates it carries 4,000 passengers a day past its Plainfield station.) Some 6,825 are trucks; 1,755 are buses, pick-up trucks, special vehicles such as ambulances.

Of the trucks 4,095 or an average of 25-plus a minute are tandem-axle trucks, the giant, 14-wheel, cross continent type tractor-trailers rated at 31 tons gross. The gross tonnage adds up to 192,467.5 tons a day past Somerset St. (Jersey Central averages its daily gross tonnage past its provisions specifically prohibit dry cleaning, laundreing, laundromats, tailoring, car washing, and sale of groceries, meats and produces after 1 p.m. Sundays. is back to a 1,925 count and be ginning to groan under the east-bound morning tide and a repeti tion of the daily stop, go, creep, wait, sit-f or-minutes-behind-an-accident, move-on-afain, stay-in-traffic-lane, wait-and-go battle of Route 22, the headache highway, poured in $2.2 million in additional road improvements.

THE ACTIONS of these men show up several points. They agree with the man behind the wheel that the road now is a headache. They are throwing in men and engineering projects to make it better. And they see jmuch better hope for easier driving conditions. Not tomorrow, within not too many years.

To the single, commuter-hour impacted motorist, the headache of the road is largely that he cannot get home as fast as he wants to, or that he has to leave that much earlier in the morning to get to work. Many also have a fear of accidents on the congested route. Roseberry and Palmer see the overall picture of the road. Their bird's-eye picture includes these facts: The roads, as designed and built today, has a "comfort capacity" of 32,000 cars a day. But it has a daily average traffic flow of 39,000 cars.

Its traffic surges in great daily flows, a great eastbound tide in the morning; an even greater westbound tide in the evening. It carries more travelers on an average day than the Jersey Central Railroad. ON TOP OF T1US, it throbs as the major cross-state highway of Central New Jersey for commodity cargoes. It handles more gross tonnage a day by truck than the daily gross tonnage of the Jersey Central which, a generation ago, was the major commodity carrier for the region. During a recent one-hour state police count, the cargoes of the trucks included oil, stone and gravel, coal from Pennsylvania, cattle, milk, produce, steel from the Midwest, and shrimp from Texas and on its way to Boston.

"That truck," said Capt. Roseberry, "will be driven back to Texas with a load of cod. It's just one example of what goes over this road. There are a million and one commodities that comej in and out through here." The trucks roll along the road Mayor Walter F. Scott said the new ordinance would take effect next Sunday.

All other businesses, such as drug stores, bakeries, restaurants, are permitted to carry on their normal operations except as governed by state laws. Moves Adoption Councilman William J. Myers moved for adoption of the new ordinance and was seconded by Councilman Peter G. Bakutes. Voting for, in addition to Bakutes and Myers, were Councilman Leroy W.

Jones and Council President Claude W. Walck. Councilman John Colliga cast the lone dissenting vote, voicing opposition to "all Sun day-closing ordinances" as beintf va mi.L "TIDAL" FLOW Close-riding cars, trucks and a bus crowd the westbound lanes of Route 22 as scattered cars cruise in comfort eastbound lanes. This is an afternoon During the morning, travel conditions lanes Is reversed. (Photo by State Police Troop a problem speed control.

ENFORCEMENT POW WOW Lieut. Peter Hausch, the traffic enforcement director, discusses with Capt. James W. Roseberry, com The engineers say the total flow 1,350 is just about the "comfort capacity" of the road. Now go out between 5 and 6 p.m.

On average, there would be 1,350 going east and 1,750 struggling west, for a total average hour-count of 3,100 vehicles. That is at the rate of 74,400 cars a day, or almost two and a third times the road's comfort capacity. THIS UNCOMFORTABLE Mrs. Joseph Aversa Feted at 75 Raritan Mrs. Joseph Aversa Sr.

of 898 Thompson was feted at a party Sunday in celebration of her 75th birthday. About 40 and relatives attended the affair given by Mrs. Joseph Aversa Jr. Mrs. Aversa has been a resident of this place for about 49 years, having moved here from Italy, where she and Mr.

Aversa were married. They have four sons, Armando Aversa of Old York Bradley Gardens Joseph Aversa Jr. of 812 New York Anthony Aversa of Raritan and Carl Aversa of Raritan, and three daughters, Mrs. Carmela Pastore, Mrs. Pauline Harabin and Mrs.

Frances Ta-vone, all of Raritan, and 17 grandchildren. Chorus' 53rd Season To Start in Summit Summit The Summit Community Chorus will begin its 53rd season with a rehearsal at 8 p.m. Monday in the Summit YMCA. The' mixed chorus consists of 85 singers from nearly 20 municipalities, including Berkeley Heights, Scotch Plains and Fanwood. William Ramsey, conductor, said other singers were being sought.

Message -jJL taxi along the scene. in the Ted Fogel) I IS etc Ridge High School Opens for 500 Students Bernards Township The doors of the new Ridge High School in S. Finley Ave. swung open to the 500-member student body for the first time today at 7:45 a.m. Zone Board Defers Action on Variance Bridgewater The Board of Adjustment last night deferred any decision on whether or not to grant a variance to the heirs working after school will be permitted to drive their cars to school.

They will be allowed to use the parking lot only after making application with Keeler, agreeing to comply with the school's automobile regulations and receiving a parking sticker. Any student, Keeler said, who violates any of the driving rules will lose his right to drive to school. The school day begins at 8:20 witn tne taray oeu ana continues until dismissal at 3:40 p.m. The first seven 50-minute periods will be for academic in struction and the eighth will be for extra-curricular activities. Two one-half-hour lunch periods are also slated.

There are 34 teachers on the faculty. Keeler said the band, which recently returned from its first band camp, the twirlers, cheer leaders and the. color guard will all be ready to perform at the school first football game Sept. 23 at Mountain Lakes. A drill team will perform at home football games.

Midweek glances at a map in his office and says: "It's a man-sized job!" And Dwight R. G. Palmer, the state highway commissioner: He a business establishment in a residential zone. Arnold H. Wendell of Wat-chung, whose name also appears on the application, appeared before the board along with his attorney, an architect, a real estate operator and a court re porter to plead his case.

However, his attorney, state Senator William E. "Ozzard, did not produce any plans or designs of the two-story, brick and wood structure which Wendell wishes to construct at Grove St. and Route 22. Rather, he offered up for evidence a rough sketch which the board said was insufficient to show what Wendell had in mind. Wendell, who operates stores in Watchung and Somerville, said the two-story 17,000 square foot building would be occupied on the ground floor by his own retail business and one to three other stores, depending on the size of the business operated by the other establishments.

The second floor, he said, would be used for professional offices. In attempting to explain the design of the building, Ozzard referred to it as in keeping with the other Wendell stores, that is, conservative and colonial in design. Ozzard also called upon the architect, James H. Swackhamer of Somerville, and the real estate operator, Sidney Halpern of Somerville. Halpern, called as real estate expert, said he did not think the land in question was being utilized to its fullest possibilities as a residential zone.

In other action, the board approved a request to build a one-family home in Washington Valley Rd. as sought by Edgar I. Burton. Burton said he was seeking approval because of insufficient frontage. Picnic Scheduled By Raritan Group Raritan The Raritan Recreation Commission will hold its annual picnic for boys and girls who took part in the Summer baseball program at noon Saturday in Frelinghuysen Park in Sherman Ave.

Managers, coaches, and families of all Dersonnel who helnpH in the program also are invited, according to Steve Del Rocco, recreation director. TTODhies will hp awardpd tn players of the champion teams the Pony League and Little League. Aldo Riccione will receive trophy as most valuable player in the Pony League. Jim my nannon win receive a trophy the most valuable player in the Little League. Games and events also will be held.

mandant of in Route 22 against the American free enterprise system. He said the pres ent ordinance as adopted was now discriminatory toward a f.ew businesses and could involve the borough in expensive litiga- uon. tie waved a neavy sneai of papers from various attorneys who had, submitted free written opinions on the ordinance and some who had been retained by a car wash and laundromats to challenge the ordinance. Voicing their opposition to the new, more liberal ordinance were the Rev. and Mrs.

David Boyce of the Fourth Reformed Church in Middaugh the Rev. Harold Elliott, pastor of the Emmanuel Reformed Episcopal Church, and Philip Sera-fino of 43 S. Cadillac Dr. Ministers attending but remaining silent were the Rev. Maurice Marcus, pastor of Second Reformed Church, and the Rev.

Harold B. Wright Jr. of the First Methodist Church. The Rev. Mr.

Boyce noted that historically Christian communities had observed the first day of the week as the sabbath. He said that while it was "desirable to observe it voluntarily rather than through compulsory civil law" he nevertheless saw the Sunday closing ordinance as helping to create a moral climate and as exerting a moral leadership. Noting the confusion surrounding the 1959 ordinance, the Rev. Mr. Elliott suggested that another referendum be held on the new ordinance which had been reviewed by a committee "before we are led down the path of materialism." Scott said, "I'm afraid if we hold another referendum, it would only create more confusion." Voted in 1959 Serafino said he voted for the Sunday closing law in the 1959 referendum and knew exactly what he was voting for.

"I believe the 2,000 people voted for closing the. stores," he said. Rabbi Alfred Landsberg sug gested that the council introduce another amendment to the ordinance which would permit those who did not observe Sunday as the Sabbath to open their stores provided their stores were closed after 1 p.m. on the Sabbath which they observed. Alexander Wright, a Democratic committeeman, claimed the Apostle Paul held the "spirit of the law" as more important than the letter.

He said he believed what the ministers stood for but asked who was to be blamed for the failure of the people to observe Sunday. He said, "When I was a child, we were taken to church. Today they send the to church, while they slep it off in the morning." Church Plans Confirmation Basking Ridge All parents of children who will be attending the Somerset Hills Lutheran Church will meet with the pastor, The Rev. Walter L. Zeile, tomorrow at 8 p.m.

in the parsonage. According to the Rev. Mr. Zeile, the purpose of the meek ing will be to inform parents of the plan of instruction and the materials to be used. Confirmation instruction con- year.

Classes are open to all boys and girls who are entering seventh grade. The church plans to break ground for new facilities next month, on the 11-acre property in Lake Rd. near Mt. Airy Rd. Zone Change Is Discussed Bound Brook The Planning Board last night received a peti tion from residents of Longwood Ave.

asking that the Zoning Ordinance be amended to pro hibit the use of land in residen tial areas for commercial park ing. Considerable discussion re volved about the question and some board members were of the opinion that such an amend ment would amount to "spot zoning." Benjamin Newcomb reminded the board that it would not be "spot zoning" if all residential areas through out the town were declared out of bounds for commercial park ing purposes, xne matter was referred to the board's plan ning consultants, Robert Catlin and Scott Bagby. Mrs. Steve Juronics, 327 Lone wood and Peter Cecchini, 337 Longwood neighbors on either side of the parking lot of the County Bank and Trust Company, complained that water from the parking lot drains onto their property. The banking company will be notified to build curbs with the proper catch basin before a permit of occupancy will be issued.

Complaints that some motor ists use the driveway of the parking lot as a "speedway" to avoid the traffic signals at W. Union and Vosseller Aves will mittee. Bagby, who was present at the meeting, told the board that through a serious defect in the ordinance, home occupations are permitted in Class A Residential Zones and that the matter should be corrected. The matter came up several months ago when residents of the Cedar-crest Development" complained when a beauty salon was established in a home in the development. Minor subdivisions were ap proved for Josephine Capano, Evergreen and Lawrence jSchamberger, W.

Main St. Booster Club Seeks Field Use Bernards Township A re- quest from the Bernards Booster Club for the use of War Memorial Field in S. Maple Ave. for two Sunday afternoon Popi Warner football games this Fall was turned over to the Recreation Commission last night by the Township Committee. The committee asked that the commission seek the opinion of the clergy in the township before making any recommendations.

The club asked the use of the field Oct. 1 and 29. Heat or Not School Opens On Schedule Bernards Township School physician Dr. Harold J. Muen- del's recommendation that the opening of the township schools be delayed because of the heat was rejected by the Board of Education at a special meeting Qast night.

Superintendent of Schools Myron D. Headington, who was authorized, to 'close school on any afternoon he felt was too hot for classes, said school would definitely open today. He commented he is opposed to closing school as it results in a half-hearted return from Summer vacation on the part of the students. The transportation committee was authorized to advertise for an additional school bus route if it were considered necessary. High School Principal William J.

Keeler reported the major portion of the existing routes were close to becoming over crowded. The committee will meet with the bus drivers tonight to de cide if another route is required On recommendation of architect William Micklewright, the board postponed final accept ance of the $1,500,000 Ridge High School building which is nearing completion in S. Finley Ave. Micklewright and board members will inspect the build ing. Beaula Wert, formerly a part- time Kindergarten teacher, was hired to teach full-time at an annual salary of $6,700.

This move came after it was decided to add a kindergarten class, bringing the total to six. There are 150 kindergarten children enrolled this year. The board accepted the resignation of John Mullen as high school mathematics teacher. Mullen resigned for personal; reasons. To fill the vacancy, Stephen Beer of Dunellen was hired at a yearly salary of $4,850.

Beer holds an A.B. degree from Jersey City State College and has one year of teaching experience. Area Executive Talks in Chicago Far Hills "We have entered a revolution in the production of synthetic rubber materials," George R. Vila of this place told a convention of the Ampriran Chemical Society in Chicago today. Vila, president of the United States Rubber Company, served as cnairman of one of the society symposiums, as part of the society's 140th national meeting.

"We have shaken ourselves free from the molecular designs of Mother Nature, and the previously uncontrollable course of synthetic molecular structure. We can now build molecules exactly to the specifications we wish," Vila reported. What Is Influence of Your Life? By the REV. HAROLD A. SCOTT Pastor of the Fanwood Presbyterian Church Text AH the days of Enoch's life was three hundred and sixty-five years, and Enoch walked with God; and he was not, for God took him.

Genesis of Magdalene Elling to construct Candidate Tells Goals Warren Township Robert L. Horton, Republican candidate for one of the two additional positions on the Township Committee, announced last night he was "proud and willing to accept" the Republican Municipal Committee nomination. "I will endeavor," Horton said, "to uphold the ideals and principles of the Republican Party for a complete Republican victory without losing sight of the fact that our township to day has many serious problems that must be resolved in the near future." He said some of these problems were specifically isolated. "The serious problem of rising taxation is a prime concern of each and every property owner in the township," he stated. "It is impossible to even consider reducing taxes at this time," said Horton, "but with proper legislation and enforcement a normal solvent growth of our township should be accomplished." He said, if elected, he immediately would pursue the incorporation of the master plan into a working guide for future expansion, the establishment of a more rigid and enforceable health code, updating the existing road and building codes and organizing a committee for the study of a feasible sewerage system in certain sections of the township.

Horton said, "I very strongly hope the voters in the township are now fully aware of the critical situation that can develop In the near future without immediate constructive planning." He said it was "high time we stopped fighting personalities and petty issues and started working for the best interests of the township and everyone concerned." i High School Band Elects Officers Bernardsville James Bow-dish has been elected president of the Bernards High Schools band for the 1961-62 school year, Director Gordon Williams announced yesterday. Other officers are: Vice president, Henry Ziegler; treasurer, Paul Nibur; student conductor, Lewis Stern; drill master, Edward Selover, and secretaries, Carol Palmer and Phebe Clynes. Elections were held during the annual band camp held recently in Camp Kiamesha, 10 tniles north of Newton. I a in as The $1,500,000 structure is; completed with the exception of a few finishing touches in the gymnasium, auditorium, cafeteria kitchen and hallways. All 21 class rooms are finished and uncompleted items will not hinder the academic schedule, according to Principal William J.

Keeler. Through the remainder of this week, lunches of sandwiches, soup and milk will be served in the cafeteria. After Monday, when the kitchen is completed, "full chow" will be served daily, Keeler said. One of the features of the new building is a reading room adjacent to the library. This room is large enough to accommodate a class working on research projects.

The first student assembly was held in the auditorium at 8:30 a.m. At that time, Keeler and Guidance Director Willard Dolman gave orientation addresses, students were assigned to home rooms and copies of the Ridge High School Handbook were distributed by members of the Student Council. At the conclusion of the assembly, students went to their home rooms and were given three periods in which to study the floor plan of the hew school and to read the handbook. The handbook was prepared and written, subject to the administration's approval, last year by representatives of all four classes now attending Ridge High. It includes information on curriculum, guidance, student Council constitution, social code, activities and athletics.

A senior service corps, organized prior to today's opening of school was on duty to direct hallway traffic. umy tnose students who are Church School Staff Is Listed Bound Brook Personnel for the Methodist Church School has been announced for the coming church season. Miss Annie B. Wilson of Middlesex is chairman of the Commission on Education and Harold W. Meskers of South Bound Brook is superintendent.

Others include: Nursery, Mrs. Albert Zbawa of Bound Brook; "kindergarten, Miss Edith Wheeler of Bound Brook; primary, Miss Dorothy Agans of Bound Brook; junior department, Mrs. Marvin F. Siebel of Bcund Brook; senior high department, Carl Finck of Middlesex; youth division, Mrs. Milton Wommer, Bound Brook; JIF adviser, Joseph Powers of Bound Brook; MFY president, Miss Bonnie Walters of Middlesex; teacher of adult class, Webster Hill of Bound Brook, and co-president of the Adult Fellowship, Mr.

and Mrs. Kenneth Orr of Middlesex. What a limitless suggestion there is in those brief and simple words "he walked with God." That was the thing people most remembered about Enoch after he had gone. The influence of his life upon other people was to make them aware of the presence of God. One time a Boston newspaperman wrote "It was a dull and rainy day, but Philip Brooks came down Newspaper Row, and all was bright." The mark of a great life is that it changes the atmosphere and brightens the whole landscape.

Does your life do this? H. Simpson has written a lovely paragraph: "One day Enoch's place on earth was empty and people who knew him drew their own conclusions. He had been known as a medium of God. What was more logical than that he should have gone home with his Friend?" A little girl came home from Sunday School where she had heard the story of Enoch and told her parents how it was: "Enoch and God used to take long walks together. One day, however, they had gone farther than usual, and God said 'You must be tired, Enoch come into My house and rest'." Doesn't that suggest to you that life can be so rich of such deep and abiding quality, so full of meaning that God in his economy cannot permit it to come to an end? There are lives-like that.

Their value is so great and their influence is so beneficial that we know they can never perish. There is that in every human life which is worthy to live forever, and God will find it. That is the thing the truly religious person knows that life is eternal. As an 82-year-old Quaker woman put it "I am going to live until I die, and then I am going to live forever." A special police officer and agists of a two-year course, from school crossing guard were through April each pointed on a fee basis until Dec. 31.

Robert J. Reilly of Lyons Liberty Corner, is the new special officer and Mrs. Le Roy Cutshaw of E. Lewis Basking Ridge, is the crossing guard..