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Several hundred years before the arrival of the white man, groups of Lenni-Lenape Indians lived in settlements overlooking the Raritan River. They called the area "Piscataqua," from which Piscataway comes.
Dutch and Swedes were the first white men in this area, arriving in the middle o f the 17th century. In 1651. a large tract o f land, from the Raritan River to the Passaic, including what is now Edison Township was deeded by the Dutch King to Augustine Heermanns, a Dutch s e t t le r .
In 1795, the Raritan Bridge, now known as the Albany St. Bridge, was bu ilt, and the area began to develop rapidly. Before 1870, the township y m f a part of Woodbridge and Piscataway Townships. On March 17, 1870, the boundary lines were drawn, and the area was incorporated as a separate town ship. The "Raritan", derived from the Raritan tribe of the Lenni-Lenape Indians; it was chosen from three proposals: Metuchen, Washington and Raritan.
In 1900, residents o f the area now known as Metuchen, petitioned the state to incorporate as a separate borough. This action put a "hole" in the middle of the township, and reduced the area of 3 square miles.
In 1905, residents o f Highland park followed Metuchen's example and incorporated, further reducing the area o f the township by about 3 square miles. The to ta l area o f Raritan Township is about 32 square m iles.
Because several municipalities in New Jersey were named Raritan, at the general electio n in 195^, the voters approved the change to Edison Town ship. Instrumental in obtaining th is change, were Mayor James C. Forgione and Mrs. Charles Wira, of "Women for Edison."
EDISON TWSP. FREE PUBLIC LIBRARY
NOT TO BE TAKEN FROM LIBRARY Reasons Cited for Changing Township s Name to Edison RARITAN TOWNSHIP, Oct. Raritan township is an overflow 5.—Should this township’s name from Highland Park and Metuch be Edison or Nixon after the ref en because these areas were erendum on November 2? overcrowded. I wish to state Mrs. Charles Wira, chairman that it was not due to this reason of the Women For Edison, who that our population increased, obtained the signatures of more but it was due to the number than 3,000 persons on a petition of the million-dollar industries to put the Edison name on the which located in our township ballot, says the name very defin- which brought the people to our itely should be Edison. area. Both Highland Park and Some of the reasons why resi-i Metuchen were part of our inci dents should vote for EdisonImense town when the residents and against Nixon were cited by of both petitioned the state of Mrs. Wira yesterday. New Jersey as independent bor- "( “ In canvassing door-to-door,oughs. Perhaps another petition for signatures to be put on the | by the residents of those bor- Edison petitions,” she said, “ weloughs to join their parent who found. that ■■ - a great -— * many------has individ- become successful and fruit- I uals were either misinformed ful, might complete the family or didn’t understand why the circle once again. names of Edison or Nixon were “A fact which is little known chosen by the two factions rep is that Menlo Park has a place resenting them. dedicated to Edison which is Honor Great Man known as the Edison State Park. ‘‘I wish to submit the follow- This park hes never been de^ ing points which I believe will! veloped. Eventually, we shall clarify the situation: I work on this too so that our his- “ 1. The name Edison was toncal spot of Menlo Park will chosen mainly to honor a great be a spot of beauty and pride, man who benefited all of human-] ^ ar'ta.r} township has a his- Ity throughout the world. |tory all its own. The residents ” 2. Many individuals in the have a pride and will work to- new developments were unaware i wardi the eiJd of achieving unity that Menlo Park, where Thomas and its well deserved reward of Alva Edison invented the elec-irespectful_recognition trie light, is in Raritan township. “ 3. The prestige of the name Edison will also give prestige to our town of 26,000 and will be recognized more promptly and become nationally known. “4. There shouldn’t have been any differences within the town, but the one name of Edison should have been agreed upon unanimously. It would have been an acknowledgement of the great genius of Edison, especially so since the 75th anniversary of the Light’s Diamond Jubilee is be ing observed this month. No Postoffice Change Mrs. Wira continued by ana lyzing the confusion that exists. She said: ‘‘Nixon was chosen to honor a man by the name of Lewis Nixon who located in Raritan township in 1913 under the name of Nixon Nitration Works. That business concern now is manufacturing plastics. Many individuals were informed that the change of name to any other name but Nixon would affect their mail ing systems. “This is a fallacy. Nixon is not a central post office, neither is Stelton nor Menlo Park. The mail will continue as it has been. Efforts to obtain a central post office will continue until the Post Office Department in Wash ington, D. C., decides to name either one of the three as a cen tral post office with the other two serving as sub stations. “The groundwork on the post office is being done by our non- partial group of Women for Edison and will be continued long after the decision of No vember 2. Our Main purpose for obtaining a central post office is for the unification of our large populace and to bring order to a town which has been burdened with confusion because of its rapid growth. “ Many individuals thought that Nixon was a municipality of its own because it appeared on the maps of New Jersey. This is not so, because Nixon is but a small area of Raritan township as are Menlo Park, Stelton, Clara Barton, Piscata- way, Bonhamtown, Oak Tree, and others. “The-name of Nixon is spon sored by August Nelson, who is an employe of the Nixon Nitra tion Works. He is also the chair man of the group who solicited for Nixon. “There is another statement which I would like to reply to and a fact which is little known be made available to the indi vidual. ' Town Grew on Own “A statement was made thatl HEW ARK EVENING NEWS, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 1954 ...... ■■...... i...... i ' —
FOR NAMESAKE— Mrs. Charles W. Wira, chairman of women’s committee which led suc cessful fight to change name of Raritan Township to Edison Township by referendum, presents birthday cake to Brace Eggert, public affairs director, who accepted for town fathers during name-change celebration yesterday. Farewell Raritan , Hail Edison
the inventor who perfected the Township*$ Name Is electric light here 75 years ago. Electric Light Was Changed Officially The new name for the sprawl Invented There ing 32-square-mile municipality, which runs from the Raritan of the wrong” done the township Staff Correspondent. River north to the Union County by establishing its identity clearly. EDISON — Raritan Township, line, was approved Nov. 2 in the About 75 persons attended the Middlesex County, is no more general election. A proposal to meeting in the commission’s new At 9:26 o’clock last night town change the township to Nixon was ship clerk Oscar Kaus read it out room in the almost completed ad defeated by voters. 1dition to the Municipal Building. of existence and proclaimed this Township officials and citi miinicipality Edison in honor of zens who worked for the change to Edison were unanimous in hoping that the new name will bring greater unity to the mu nicipality and reforms in such things as postal service. Resi dents now receive mail through half a dozen post offices in and near the township. A ll business conducted by the Board of Commissioners at its regular meeting after the change was made official was done in the name of the Township of Edison. Officials believe that the phy sical changing of Raritan to Edi son on buildings, signs and such things as police cars and station ery will be gradual. The main purpose of chang ing the name from Raritan, by which the township was known it was incorporated in M S w u to differentiate it ‘ two other Raritan Borough grjEjSSH C€a S o o f t d m >A s i f t C ^ o u n ^ C - ' la NEW BRUNSWICK, N TUESDAY. AUGUST 1955
CLIM AX OF C/MPAIGV— Edisoi had its own post office yesterday for the first time. Shown near the nev sign in front of tie old Stelton post office, now the Edison post office, are; left to right. Col. Afred R. Matthews, new commanding officer at Camp Kilmer, which is served by the Edis*n office; Prof. Fraik Helyar, chairnun of the Edison Planing Board and a strong advocate fo an Edison post office; Mayor Thomas J. Swales Jr., a long-time advocate of an Edison office; Postmaster Edward Collins; Mrs. Chailes Wira who, as chairman of the Women for Edisos led a campaign that resulted in more than 3,000 signatures on petitions calling for an Edison offse. and St. D. J. Pinzina, who is in charge of mail at Camp Kilmer. Yesterday was also Col. Mathews’ fi-st day as coimranding officer at Camp Kilmer. Edison Wow Has Post Office Bearing down’s Right Namel EDISON, *ug. 2—Tie black ment of the Nixon post office] and white sgn at Plaiifield and under Edison instead of New| Central Avs., unveild yester Brunswick, as it is now. day shgrtjr after -oon now Another movement under way| reads uEcPon Post **rtce* This si»Pl« act, p(-formed by the Pennsylvania Railroad sta Mayor Tbmas J. Svales, culmi tion from Stelton to Edison. nated ayear-long ampaign on Helyar said the ceremony 1 the par of townsip residents represented a logical step along to chage the nam of the Stel the way to transforming the ton Pot Office to ne new name township into a community 20 of th*r municipaty. years hence with double the | Thl post offict will continue present population. to s
n _____ J-J J- 1Q7Q NEW BRUNSWICK, N. J., THURSDi r sllaritan Is HOME OF ELECTRIC LIGHT ADOPTS HEW NAME— EDISON V* No More-- It’s Edison Township Board’s Action Makes Name Official Immediately CHANGE ENDS LONG AND BITTER BATTii EDISON. Nov. II — The name Edison is now official. Raritan township ceased to exist at 0:36 o’clock last night during a meeting of the Board of Commissioners. At that same moment township of Edison came t L " change was made by the will of the people as shown at the polls on November 2. The
to S OSS and at the same time defeated .counter proposal to change It to Nixon by a vote of *.059 for to 3,450 against. The changeover Came during a meeting of the governing body that started out conducting busi . t a A t ' S h , «• «»!•“ • »■“ “ “ •*•* ”*>“• «— ness in the name of Raritan name-change papers a Anal cheek.______;— ------township but finished up doing business as Edison. Birthday Cake A ceremony complete with - three-decker birthday cake for NOT TO BE TAKEN the new municipality was held at about the middle of the meeting FROM LIBRARY that started at • p. m. and ended it almost l l ______m The official changeover was ,lfOscar Kaus, township clerk, £ A ; s © n read a notice to the governing body. It recounted the require ments of the law to change a (\onv,e. L-V, o_n gC. name, referred to the receipt of titlons to put the Question on Se ballot, gave the official vote on the two name questions and stated that he proposed to im mediately notify the M^etary of state in Trenton and the
«sSn(PBPass«5 s gB9Jnurs£, s-fflsrjffirrtss1 Commissioner Russell B. Walker, who was serving as act ing mayor, called for a roll call vote. All voted yes. And the name was Edison. Mayor James C. Forgrone, w he*ad to attend another meet- In garm p d Just In time to cast * The^oremon y started. Mrs J Charles'-Wire, chairman of the’ Womeni for Edison, the grow
plastic bird with red legs and beak, had around its neck a small sign with the wording -The Birth of Edison, N. J. Mayor Forgione said he is ^Ccmtlnued on Page Thirty-one Reserves Elect Officials Told
Charles Wira Of Action« To RARITAN TOWNSHIP— The Raritan Township Police Re serves Association last night at Change Name its meeting in the Oak Tree School reelected Charles Wira of RARITAN TOW NSHIP — The Liddle Ave. as president. proposal to change the name of this township in order to end the Other officers elected were Kenneth Henderson, vice presi confusion caused by the existence of several Raritan Townships in dent; James McDonnell, record ing secretary; Gustav Bergman, the state was formally brought before the Township Commission treasurer; Robert Hirner, finan ers at their meeting last night in cial secretary; Michael Ferchie, the Municipal Building in the sergeant-at-arms; Joseph Toth, quartermaster, and John Ne (Picture on Pago 23) meth, chaplain. form of a petition, which, when William Porter, election chair it has been filled out with the man for the association, con necessary 3,000 signatures of ducted the balloting. local voters, will place the ques The following chairmen of tion on the ballot in November. committees were alsq appointed: The petition was submitted by Robert Hanson, by-laws; George Mrs. Charles Wira of Liddle Ave., Ainscow and William A. Con- Clara Barton section, and Mayor erty, public relations; John A t James C. Forgione became the kins, entertainment;. John Ful- first signer. In addition to pro lajtor, recreation; P a trick posing that the township’s name Roach, historian; George Vincz, be changed it also offers “ Edi welfare, Franklin Wood and Sal son” as a new name for the town vatore D’Amico, auditing. V ship in honor of the late Thomas Capt. Charles Bartow an !A. Edison, whose invention of nounced that members of the lo- ^he electric light took place here. j cal police reserves will canvass The current name-changing I the township to register all dogs ovement was launched last as provided by state law. ' - w ' onth when it was suggested by First aid classes were complet ,the Raritan Township Chamber ed by the reserves last night un NOT TJ be i A.v.j Eof Commerce. The Chamber of der the direction of Capt. Bar Commerce did not suggest any tow and Lester Russell. FROM LIBRARY alternative name but soon after it made the name change sugges tion, civic groups and individuals began efforts to have the name Edison adopted. Included in the endorsers of the Edison title were the Forum Club, Mayor Forgione and various other social, j political, civic and fraternal or ganizations. Also endorsing the change of name, although unofficially, has been the local Planning Board. I Mayor First Signer Of Name-Change Petition^ Its chairman, Prof. Frank Helyar of Rutgers University, last night, speaking as an individual, urged that the name Edison be adopted. The current movement repre sents the most advanced stage that any suggestion of this type has reached in the past. In other years, a campaign to have the township’s name changed was conducted by Michael Germak of the Clara Barton section, also favoring the name of Edison, but it did not advance to the point the current drive has reached. Seme Opposition The proposal to use the name Edison is not without some op position. August Nelson of Nix on last night asked that the name Nixon be used for the township as a whole and said he would circulate petitions for that pur pose. Mayor Forgione, Prof. Helyar, r*. Wira and others pointed ut that the new name could not >• one that already exists for ne of the township’s sections. I'hey declared that such a move ould only inflame sectional in- erests and would see similar rives to have the township named “ Stelton," “Oak Tree,” '"Clara Barton,” or any one of the many sectional names that are now in use. The need for a “ neutral” name that is not now! in use here was stressed as being I of paramount importance in order to obtain the support of all township residents.in behalf of a proposal for a changing of the municipal title. It was pointed out that an Mayor James C. Forgione of Raritan Township, right,.places his name as the first signer alternate name must be incor on a petition designed to place the question o f changing the name o f Raritan Township to porated into the public question Edison on the ballot in the November election. The signing, which took place last night in tho should it appear on the ballot in November. The mere voting municipal building, launched a drive to obtain onough signatures to place the question be on a change of name as such, fore the voters. Leading the petition campaign is Mrs. Charles Wira, left, of Liddle Ave., without offering any specific Clara Barton section. Looking on is Commissioner Brace Eggert. Evening Nev>» Photo name, would not be permitted by law, Thomaa L. Hanson, town ship attorney, declared. Hanson alqaopeinted out that there are twp procedures avail able for chmgmg a municipali ty’s name: First, by petition and the placing of the question on Continued on Page si Township Government 'fiSK # T bes/z * fiiison-. t\av.e, ___ h c n the choice and so are the women the are so and choice the the out get said: to vote, worked end peti tion Edison Edison, the for originated who Women the of man ' vote.” to how on quate instruction to the voters voters the to instruction quate ContinuedTwenty-nine Page on uig n tee a nt ade not was there and fusing The yet. licked not are We now. ony ad bruh f Rari of borough a and xounty, obe eeedm a to con too was referendum double Hm Nw reporter: News Home a who supporter, Nixon another asked not to be identified, told told identified, be to not asked to But outcome. refused the on movement, comment Nixon lsl cnetd ih the with connected closely nhn Frul, h a beenhad who Ferrullo, Anthony polls. a i Smre county. Somerset in tan h 1,0 eiil wn t te"" the to went 14,000 eligible the ony n oe n Hunterdon Monmouth in in one and one county state, the of confusion the from population 26,000 of community this moved f ,8 fr io t 3,557 to Nixon for against. 3,080 of w ohr aia twsis in townships Raritan other two to change it to Nixon by a vote vote a by Nixon to it change to proposal counter a same defeated time the at 3,075 and 3,723 to the name to Edison by a vote of of vote a by change Edison to to name the referendum a proved town Raritan ship. called was area or battle. :ourt h pls yesterday. polls the Ti mncplt ws on at born was municipality —This laritan Township Voters “ I am indeed very happy with with happy very indeed am I “ u Ms Cals ia chair Wira, Charles Mrs. But at n se ht happens what see and Wait “ at ih Ags Nlo and Nelson August night Last u te oe a big n a on bring may vote the But A total of 9,393 voters from from voters 9,393 of total A Favor Name Over Nixon ae Edison Named hs h twsi pol re people township the Thus C u te oes etra ap yesterday voters the But Township New From 1870 until yesterday this 1870 yesterday From until DSN ONHP Nv 3 Nov. TOWN8H1P. EDISON m o r f By HERBERT P. BRYANT P. HERBERT By ut Has ounty TO EDISON TW55- EDISON In Referendum e Cat Fight Coart See
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t f »'• ‘11 I ! y v ; i 181Edison, 175 yes, no. | 191 no. 244 yes,,Edison, ! 262Edison,87 no. yes, dsn 163 254 no. yes,Edison, 167Edison, 233 yes, no. no. 211 131 yes, Edison, 153 no. yes, 98Edison, 160 no. 106 yes, Edison, dsn 13 e, 236 133 no. yes,Edison, 233 no. 258 yes, Edison dsn 8 ys 28 no. 228 yes, 86Edison, 155 no. yes, 71Edison, dsn 7 ys 143 no. yes, 74 Edison, ae o te e nm contend name new the of cates dsn 16 e, 101 no. 196 yes, Edison, 113 no. 334 yes, Edison, no. 44 382 yes, Edison, 156 no. 396 yes, Edison, it will pave the way for a cen-l cen-l a co will for that system way mailing the tral pave will it name advo Many the Edison. bear or which Raritan of area none the address present mailing At problems. the untangle dsn 26 e, 9 no. 79 276 yes, Edison, 133 no. 165 yes, Edison, were: names two incide with the new municipal municipal new the name. with incide offices, post eight by served is i about.” rv i epce hr nx to next here expected is drive new name or no change.no or name new Tiere. Tiere. n l ohr ae hne the changesone of choice name the only had voters other all In novn a obe referendum.! double a involving ae ay f i ms famous most hisdiscoveries. Edison I of many Alva made Thomas ago years evn Mno ak wee 75 where Park, Menlo serving ao btl bten w plt- _ politi- two between battle major ht ok n h apcs f a of aspects the on took that still would name the defeated, beenhad referendums both if Or, independent. were referendums e aia township. Raritan be maining two could determinei determinei could outcqme. the two re the maining admitted names both of a pris I ws h ol lcl f local only the was It parties. cal names. two have would township the carried, been both Thus, had Edison. areas to majorities outlyign their the gave But Nixon. these contained the names of of names 3,000 the than voters. more contained these ne ih tt law. state with ance et tto, ae aoiis to majorities gave station, dent sented by each group. Each of of Each group. each pre by were sented petitions ballots, the the two names ran close. After advocates After I Building, reported, had close. 17 polls ran names Municipal two the the at in said that after the unofficial unofficial the after that said su o te oig machines voting the on issue a indepen an is npt and Brunswick which office, post Nixon h wre s hr t big it bring to hard so worked who branch of the post office in New New in office post the of branch f tt i Tetn n accord in the Trenton in to secretary state the Edison andof name clerk county the cer tify will he confirmed are totals ol 8 io, 307 168 18, yes, no;Nixon, Poll ol 9 Nxn 190 164 19, yes, Nixon, no; Poll 256 178 17, yes, I Nixon, no; Poll Poll 16, Nixon, 281 127 16, yes, no;i Nixon, Poll 90 195 no;| yes, 15, Nixon, Poll 206 yes, _99 14, Nixon, no; Poll 91 no; 284 yes, 12, Nixon, Poll 345 119 no; yes, Nixon, 8, Poll ol 3 Nxn 341 13, 134 yes, no; Nixon, Poll no; 76 224 yes, 10, Nixon, Poll ol 1 Nxn 28 e, 5 no. 75 218 yes, 11, Nixon, Poll ol , io, 142 285 no; yes, Nixon, 9, Poll no; 206 I yes, 41 Nixon, 7, Poll 157 no;! yes, 60 Nixon, 6, Poll no;: 241 yes, 40 Nixon, 4, Poll no;! 298 yes, 22 Nixon, 3, Poll ol , io, 7 e, 268 no; yes, 47 Nixon, 5, Poll 384 no;I yes, 40 Nixon, 2, Poll 171 no; yes, the 47 Nixon, on 1, Poll polls by voting The ih h nm cagd a changed, name the With The vote is the first in the state the infirstisthe vote The They did. They were both polls polls both were They did. They The vote followed a campaign campaign a followed vote The As placed on the ballot the two two the ballot the on placed As o u te eeedm on referendums the put To While the returns were coming; coming; were returns the While ol i teae evd y the by served area the in Polls Oscar Kaus, township clerk, clerk, township Kaus, Oscar otm d rm ae One Page from ed Contfm Menlo Park Tips Scale ., Scale Tips Park Menlo io Ae fr Nixon for Area Nixon oig y Polls by Voting Edison i i ii ’&> 1
f | -FERENrt Nov. 1, 1954 - uih rsesi Gi Denison, Gail Kruszewski,Judith il ae o cide t permit to children for care will Rosemary Mezarous, Beverly Beverly Mezarous, Michkowski. Saviers, Rosemary Mary Gottlieb, Sandra Nemeth, Ann Joanne Barbara Leone, Wira, Barbara son, Wira. Charles Mrs. in be of charge will They vote. girls to parents The Voters. to Aides as Scout knownthe are and 33 Girl No. Intermediate Troop the of members are All m. p. 9 4 to m. a. from School Barton Clara the aoy Brp Eey Mikusi, Evelyn Borup, Carolyn ay itr wl b aalbe at available be will sitters oaby tomorrow. voters the rly similar. erally o te ovnec o voters, of convenience the for rm oh ie hv be gen been have sides both from choosing from result will fusion ihr e nm ad arguments and name new either oh ie o te su ta con that issue the of sidesboth choice. their for paigning n dig get el f cam camps of deal great separate a doing and into splitting dsn n Nxn proponents Nixon and Edison with divided been has township [Heavy Voting or keeping the name of Raritan Raritan Township. of name the keeping or municipal the changing tween choose asked be be to will voters ity's name to Edison, or Nixon, Nixon, or Edison, to name ity's Township Raritan and m. p.8 to pated. proposed chang the over gument n o te onhp ae a antici name be can township vote the total heavy of ing ar the and interest the of cause oe ol b epce bt be but expected average be an would contest vote local a with out year a in Ordinarily fices. lcin o pbi ofc but office public for election oes il xrs ter choice of national and their state county, on express will voters u o vtr hr tomorrow. here voters of out turn heavy a attract toexpected f ae n hs uiiaiy is municipality this in name of eeed on proposed the changereferenda Is Expected To t a anucd oa that today announced was It h ads r Mr Donald Mary are aides The h coc wl b lf u to up left be will choice The There have been claims from from claims been have There the weeks, several past the In ol wl b oe fo 7a m.a. 7 open ffom be will Polls hs onhp s ihu an without is township This A TN ONHP The TOWNSHIP— ITAN RAR , o 8 o wnship * S - a R i - L ______* Somerset county. Want One Post Office Library Both groups consider the name t u i s o n w P change as a necessary step to 340 Plaint eld Ave NOT TO BE TAKEN ward getting the township a ASK AT DESK central mailing address which Edison, N. J. 08817 FROM LIBRARY w ill coincide with the name of the municipality. At present the township is served by seven dif ferent post offices. 3ut the post office department T h e D a i l y H o m e n e w s has warned that the change in name will not bring the central Published by Home News Publishing Company post office or a uniform mailing 137 Church St., New Brunswick. N. J. address. That was explained Entered at Post Office as Second Class Matter Hugh N Boyd last May by A. W. Sweet, a postal President and Publisher inspector, who addressed a rally Member of The Associated Press, The American Newspaper Publishers Association. New Jersey Press Association and the Audit Bureau of Cir at the Stelton School sponsored culations. > by the Chamber of Commerce. Subscription Rates— By Carrier, Single copy 5 cents, one week 30 cents. It was restated yesterday by Mail Subscription Rates Payable in Advance William Hand, postmaster of the _ 1 Year 6 Mos. 3 Mos 1 Mo. Daily and Sunday ...... *30.70 *10 60 *5.55 *2.00 Nixon post office, who *aid that Daily ...... 15.50 8.00 4.25 1.50 no matter what the name of the Sunday ------...... 5.20 2.80 1 30 SO municipality may be, “there will Outside the United States Double Above Prices. still be a Nixon post office. M r. Telephone Kilmer 5-4000 Hand made it clear that he is keeping out of the name battle and is strictly neutral. Testimonial Dinner “But,” he pointed out, tne name change will not alter the established policies of the post For Edison Planner office department. The largest mail circulation in the township This newspaper chronicles the holding of many is from the mailing address Me- testimonial dinners, honoring politicians and industrial tuchen and the second largest ts leaders and retiring executives. But last week this news from Nixon.” He said that a central post paper reported the happenings at a rather unusual testi office would require too much monial dinner. “ dead heading” to be economi cally sound or efficient. The This dinner was in honor of a planner. Not too long township is so scattered, he said, ago, planners were regarded as visionaries, as dreamers. that some sections can best ne served from the fringes. Today they are held in high respect, and are those chiefly He explained “ dead heading responsible for orderly development in communities •s the time wasted by men going to the outlying areas from a cen- which are fortunate enough to be enjoying orderly de tral point and the time wasted in velopment. delivering the mail in bulk to distribuion poins where mailmen This planner is not a professional, but he has been can get to it on their routes. chairman of the Planning Board in Edison for the last The plants in the industrial area around Metuchen will con £ decade. He is Prof. Frank G. Helyar, retired Rutgers tinue to have Metuchen mailing: professor and one of the key men in the development of addresses, he said. These coVn-l cide with the phone numbers in Edison. Over 100 Edison people turned out for the testi that section of the county and monial, sponsored by the Women for Edison. And many with the railroad address be cause the sidings that serve the notables attended, including Dr. Mason W. Gross, Rut plants branch from the Pennsyl gers provost, who most likely talked on the philosophy vania Railroad at a post-war million-dollar siding at Metu- of planning. It was a gay, enthusiastic affair and the chen. deserved praise heaped upon the honored guest was re Serves 4,200 Homes The Nixon office, Mr. Hand turned by him to his colleagues on the Planning Board •aid, now serves about 4,200 and to municipal leaders, his partners in civic accom township homes with door-to- door delivery, a service hiwch plishment. for many reasons cannot be given We add our praise to that given Helyar at the testi from smaller post offices. Chang ing the name, he said, won t monial. In civic planning lie the hope and future of our eliminate the smaller post offices area today, and in no field of public service is it more nor enable them to give the serv vital that we recruit top talents than in planning. ice the township residents de mand. Nor w ill it change the established delivery from Metu chen, he said. T3 01 C I t ) "7 3 73 o M a SI It is this expectation, that the e e c !< 43 c S d ■S a*i£i*s a^s-si-g o « ° ? ’S C ■-e-»____ Q >2 _ t Nixon post office w ill continue, CO o .3 -1 * ?; j C i2 that gives the advocates of the v * v j g eo 73 no k “ C -S oS S'S " 8 uu UJS OJ£ &s ! * name Nixon their main argu ment. With so many homes in c C *- II , the new housing developments o K« a6 ° __ 4>43 “ .2 &O -•-* p r« <4• now served by this post office it c o s O *o • v - o y o jju ■C~ would be simple to change the name of the township to Nixon fc.5.:2 v," m &0 J5 K S *43 C U * •:O .XJ (a jQ-~> M Xi ft Xi E —* j i S «, <2 £ ^ j* .5 _ « "•gH**IU a . C - 0 ' S " * •S “ s.a g-sfe £ *i 8£;*w | . jo 'g.i ^ 2 c. (UT3 N °f r Ju ,B£ ‘AKEN •s O from library 8 I r S s e n c f S l a l 2 * . 5 * c ft^ T W > O 43^5-T.
f5Y Change Raritan Township EDISON, N. J. “LIGHTS ON” Vote For EDISON, N. J. r^a-m e.
Edison Twp. Pub. Library 340 Plainfield Ave. Edison. N. J. 08817 CHANS INS THE NAME OF THE TOWNSHIP OF RARITAN TO EDISON '
QUESTIONS TO EE ANTICIPATED FROM PETITIONERS AND THE ANSflERES
* » Q - Why do we have to change the name o f our township '(
A - Because there is constant confusion due to the fa o t that there are three Townships of Raritan and a Borough of Raritan in the State of Now Jersey. We are not on the map and are the subject of ridloule in the editorials of the newspapers as the "Town tlJit is lo s t1*. Changing the name to EDISON w ill also help us to eventually obtain a Central Post Offioe and and also a Township telephone exchange.
Q - What do you mean by confusion in the Township ?
A - With three Townships o f Raritan and a Borough o f Raritan in our Stats, mail, deliveries of all kinds and people, esp ecia lly strangers, have gone astray trying to locate the right Raritan* This has made it so inoonven- lent for our looal large -industries that they have in many cases established Metuohen as their home address* It has oaused a .great deal of inconvenience to lndividuala living in d ifferen t seotlons o f the Township who do not have a Post Offioe av~ do Stelton, Menlo Park and Nixon.
Q • I'm satisfied with my mail delivery. I got it from Nixon, Menlo Park or Stelton. This change o f name doesn't concern me.
A - Well, you shouldn't be satisfied and i t does concern you. This is your town, your oity, the plaoe where you have your home. There are a num ber of areas in our Township where the people rooeive their mail through Fords, Metuohen, Highland Park, P la in fie ld , South P la in fie ld and Rahway and not.one section in our town is served by our own General Vest Offioe. The problems of other areas suoh as Llnooln Village, Stephenvillo, Haven Homes, Washington Park, Clara Barton, the northern.parts of the Township and othsra section conoerns a l l o f us, Beoauso in -unity there is strength. If each section is only Interested in i t s e l f , i t 's problems are not solved, and the homes which we bought and o f which we are proud, the home whioh is the root o f a man's l i f e , becomes deteriorated. I f we do not take oare of the section and o f our community, in whioh we liv e , seotiona suoh as yours can become downtrodden end disreputable. In having pride in your oommunity you w ill safeguard your own heme and your family.
Q - Will this effect your taxes ?
A • No. There w ill not be a change in the form o f our government. We are going to maintain the same commission form o f government Instead o f ohang- log to a new form whioh would su ta il a great expense to the taxpayers.
Q - Is the name of EDISON going to be a township T
A - The name is EDISON, N, J, We Are omitting the name township to givo dignity and stature to the name. NOT TO BE TAKEN FR)M LIBRARY € y
Q «■ How is this aotion going to effect the mall delivery sorvioa ? Will wo get better servioe ?
A - Plana are being made to obtain a general Post O ffice when the name EDISON is adopted by the people. VSa expect eventually to have a central post o ffio e w ith tones to cover the various sootion3 of our city.
Q . Why not the name o f Menlo Park. Stelton or Clara Barton ?
A “ Because we would oreat dissension ac.cr.g the other sections of our township. In ohooeing a name, , i t was ooaaiderod that not only is it to honor ED1F0IJ but i t is a neutral name.
Q - Why was the name EDISON chosen ?
A - To honor Thomas A Edison, t h e man who rr.ade it possible for you to have olean and safe light in your homos. Edison invented and developed the e le o trio lig h t in our town, a t Mr.nlo Park. I t we.s in our township that a great monunent was ereoted in h is honor, the EDISON LIGHT. People from a ll over the country oome to this shrine. Wc w ill be honoring a man who has done much to ligh ten the burdens of the people a ll over the world'.
Q - Why not use the name o f Nixon ?
A - Nixon*s fame is limited in our township to that of an industrialist and he is in the same category as Westinghouse or Johnson o f Johnson and Johnson. I f we are going to name our township after an industrialist, we may as well name it after Westinghouse or Johnson. "ASK ‘S sr I jcs/ t " ci i* e cw VV»vtorn)
TO THE HON. ARTHUR E SUMl-IERFIELD tiHSON TWP. FRlfc PUBLIC LISRXK POSTMASTER H E im .lL POST OFFICE DEPARTMENT WASHINGTON, D.C. W H U i N C t
SIR i
We, the undersigned, residents of the Township of Edison, County of Middlesex, State ef New Jersey, formerly known as the Township of Raritan, County of Middlesex, State ef New Jersey, respectfully petition and request a General Post Office to he located in the Tovoaship of Edison, County of Middlesex, State of New Jersey in ardor to promote the unification ff our Township,
Vfe also request that the General Pdst Office be located in the Township of Edison and operated by the residents of the Township of Edison,
We further request that our General post Office be located in a central part of our community so th a t i t may afford the most service and convenience to the residents of this munioitality.
NAME RESIDENCE POST OFFICE ADDRESS will t Many individuals thought that Nixon was a municipality of its ow q, because it appeared on • the maps o f New Jersey. This is not so. because Nixon is but a small area of Raritan township as are Menlo Park, Stelton, Clara Barton, Piscataway. Bonhamtown, Oak Tree, and others. The name of Nixon is sponsored by August Nelson, who is an em ploye of the Nixon Nitration Works. He is also the chairman of the group who solicited for i Nixon. • There is another statement which I would like to reply to and j a fact which is little known b e ; made available to the individual. A statement was made that Raritan township is an overflow from Highland Park and Metuch- en because these areas were overcrowded. I wish to state that it was not due to this reason that our population increased, but it was due to the number of the millton-dollar industries which . located in our township which brought the people to our area. Both Highland Park and Me- tuchen were part of our immense town when the residents of both petitioned the state of New Jer sey as independent boroughs. Perhaps another petition by the residents of those boroughs to join their parent who has become successful and fruitful might complete the family circle once again. A fact which is little known is that Menlo Park has a place dedicated to Edison which is known as the Edison State Park. This park has never been de veloped. Eventually, we shall work on this too so that our historical spot of Menlo Park will be a spot of beauty and pride. Raritan township has a history all its own. The residents have a pride and will work toward the end of achieving unity and its well deserved reward of respect ful recognition.
NIXON BY MRS. M. CALLAM0NERI (As Told to Herbert Bryant) Voters go to the polls and vote to rename this township Nixon to honor one of the nation’s fore most citizens. The name Nixon would honor an American who is equal in im portance to Thomas Edison but not as well known. The man is Lewis Nixon, one of the nation's t foremost naval architects who designed inany of our early bat tleships and built the Navy’s first submarine. Also, Mr. Nixon founded two of the townsliip’s pioneer Indus* tires, the Nixon Nitration Works ! and the Raritan River Sand Company. Both arc still operat ing, and over the years have given employment to hundreds of : township residents. Thus Mr. Nixon still has roots j
M imy ; ' • m * m * w a •
J " A s k * / r r t e e r * ' " H c i m e C k a ^ o>€ “
Dy#t Vlw^i) uMSDN TWP. FRLE PUBLIC Li C&^v^ofk VAri^tor^^
TO THE HON. OSCAR XAUS, MUNICIPAL CLERK OF THE TOWNSHIP OF RARITAN, COUNTY OF MIDDLESEX, STATE OF NEW JERSEY.
SIR*
We, the undersigned, legal voters Cf the Townhip o f Raritan in the County of Middlesex, respectfully petition that the name o f said municipality be changed from the TOWNSHIP OF RARITAN, COUNTY OF MIDDLESEX, to the name of EDISON , COUNTY OF MIDDLESEX, and resp ectfu lly p etitio n that said proposed change of name be submitted fer approval or disapproval, to the voters cf said municipality at the next general election to be held on November 2nd 19^U
Signature ef Petitioner Residence P.O. Address
___
Edison Twp. Pub. Library 3 4 0 Plainfield Ave. Edison, N.J. 03817 ASK AT DESK b n
Pla^e. CV»ar*5£.
CORDER Thursday, Oclobcr J4, J v54 in the township while the Edison Nixon was appointed president oi industries do not. the East River Bridge Commis Many township residents do sion in New York. He was a trus Nixon or Edison ? tee and president of the Webb ■not know who Lewis Nixon was, and do not realize what his con Institute of Naval Architects and tributions have meant to the served as Commissioner of Pub lic Works in the Borough township. oi Voters to Decide * * * Richmond of New York Cjty. ♦ * • Nixon or Edison?* . , .. , HE W AS BORN in Leesburg, Va., That’s the big question In Raritan Township this month. What in 1861 into a family that can MR. N IX O N HELD several posi should be the township’s new name— or should it keep its present trace its English and Irish an tions by presidential appoint name? (See editorial. “Nixon or Edison,’’ on the Forum Pate of cestry back to 1390. ments. of today’s Recorder.) Lewis Nixon was graduated He was a special envoy to rep Nobody seems to be campaigning in favor of retaining the name from the United States Naval resent the United States at tAe Raritan Township. To acquaint voters with the position of each Academy at the head of the class Chilean Centenary in 1910 by ap group, The Recorder here prints arguments by advocates of the of 1882, and was sent by the gov pointment of President William name ‘Edison,” and of the name “Nixon.’ ernment to the Royal Naval Col Howard Taft. He was made dele lege in England for post graduate gate to the fourth Pan-Americar. EDISON benefited all of humanity studies. In 1884 he was trans Conference at Buenos Aires, a throughout the world. ferred to the naval construction member of the Board of Visitors BY MRS. CHARLES WIRA to the United States Naval Acad 2. Many individuals in the new eorps and designed the battleships In canvassing door-to-door for developments were unaware that Oregon, Indiana and Massachus emy and a Commissioner of the St. Louis Exposition by President signatures to be put on the Edison , Menlo Park, where Thomas Alva etts. * Theodore Roosevelt. petitions, we found that a g r e a t [Edison invented the electric light, He resigned from the Navy and * ;-is in in Dnvtion Raritan tnu/nsn township. n became superintendent of con Mr. Nixon received a Doctor of many individuals were either mis Science Degree from Villanova 3. The prestige of the name struction for the Cramp Shipyard informed or didn't understand Edison will also give prestige to in Philadelphia. University, was a Fellow of the why the names of Edison or our town of 26,000 and will be In 1895, Mr. Nixon founded the American Geographical Society -Nixon were chosen by the two recognized more promptly and Crescent Shipyard in Elizabeth and a member of the Sons of the factions representing them. become nationally known. where in six ’/ears he constructed American Revolution. I wish to submit the* following 4. There shouldn’t have been 100 vessels including the sub He held memberships in num points which I believe will clarify any differences within the town, marine torpedo boat Holland, erous clubs of national reputa the situation; but the one name of Edison seven other submarines, the mon tion as well as the Union Club of 1. The name Edison was chosen should have been agreed upon itor Florida and the cruiser New Brunswick. mainly to honor a great man who unanimously. It would have been Chattanooga. Lewis Nixon was truly an out an acknowledgement of the great The Holland was the* 34 first sub standing man of our country, and genius of Edison, especially so marine used by the United States equally deserving with Thomas since the 75th anniversary of the Navy. « Edison the honor of having this Lightls Diamond Jubilee is being He was associated with other township named after him by the observed this month. i voters on November 2. • • * shipbuilding firms. In 1898 Mr. NIXON WAS CHOSEN to honor r a man by the name of Lewis Nixon who located in Raritan township in 1913 under the name of Nixon Nitration Works. That business concern now is manu NOT TO BE TAKEN facturing plastics. Many individ uals were informed that the FROM LIBRARY change of name to any other name but Nixon would affect their mailing systems. This is a fallacy, Nixon is not a central post office, • neither is ASK AT DESK Stelton nor Menlo Park. The mail will continue as it has been. E f forts to obtain a central post office will continue until the Post Office Department in Washing ton, D. C., decides to name either one of the three is a central post office with the other two serving as sub stations. The groundwork on the post office is being done by our non- partial group of Women for Edi son and will be continued long after the decision of November 2. Our main purpose for obtain ing a central post office is for the unification of our large pop ulace and to bring order to a town Which has been burdened with confusion because of its rapid growth. Many individuals thought that Nixon was a municipality of its X dwR-beqause R appeared, on the maps o f New Jersey. X' This is not so, because Nixon is but a small area of Raritan township as are Menlo Park, C Stelton, Clara Barton, Piscataway, Bonhamtown, Oak Tree, and others. The name of Nixon is sponsored by August Nelson, who is an em ploye of the Nixon Nitration % Works. He is also the chairman of the group who solicited for Nixon. \ There is another statement which I would like to reply to and a fact which is little known be made available to the individual. A 'statement was made that Raritan township is an overflow from Highland Park and Metuch- en because these areas were overcrowded. I wish to state that it. was not due to this reason NOT 1 t h Setn col sponsored School Stelton the at rally aaddressed explained who inspector, was Sweet, W. apostal by A. May last That address. central the bring not will name post office or a uniform mailing mailing uniform a or office post in change the that warned has ferent post offices. ferent eta miig drs which address mailing central to step necessary a as change township is served by seven dif seven by served is township presentthe of name At the municipality. the with a coincide ill townshipw the getting ward oest county.Somerset of borough The Key port. near aia i na Smril in Somerville near is Raritan in Hunterdon county near are Fleming- townships Raritan other o ad n omuh county Monmouth in and ton The Raritan. boroughone of and confusionthe three from of away aia twsis n h state the in townships Raritan name should be changed to get get to changed be shouldname Raritan wording of Edison.” to name Township e the th Change “ hearing Edison ute large photographs of Thomasphotographs large of ute » each name. meritsof tho speakers to address civic groups, address speakers to civic service clubs and rallies to “sell’ “sell’ clubs to and service rallies name. their port to campaign election full-scale into plunge to plans nounced get the voters to the to topolls sup the voters get officers. county and state national, only general election would involve involve would the election May, uptil general held be not will cam November the into issue 2.754. paign. As thepaign. municipal electionsAs local a inject will change cape oe, o h lgl iiu is minimum legal the so votes, 9,178 was That election. last thegeneral in cast vote total the of tered voter* equal to 30 cent equal to per voter* tered usin f aia Township Raritan of Question u h otofc department office post the 3ut Both groupsBoth consider namethe Name Change Will GoWillName on Change Ballot oh rus ge ta the that agree groups Both The Edison group will distrib will group Edison The Plans are being made for for made being are Plans led bt sds ae an have sides both Already If both petitions are valid, the valid, are petitions both If Continued from Page One Page from Continued Want One Post Office Office Post One Want icn argument. vincing in niae ta mr than more that indicates tion peti The advocates. Edison the 3,000 citizens find this a con-' con-' a this find 3,000 citizens basis of the argument offered by by offered argument the basisof and at a better time? That is the That time? andabetter at better firstcitizen township’s the honor What township. the to Eisenhower President bring It may world. the throughout served ae ol b coe, hn to than chosen, be could name ob be will discovery his of lee eto 5 er ago.75section years honor to also name the changing is scesu eeti lgt in light electric the successful first made who Edison, Thomas favor They service. mail prove of a long-range campaign to im to campaign beginning long-range a of the only is name the already taken on a political political a on tinge. taken already has issue name the Thus party. Democratic the was out, pointed h Nxn irto Wrs one Works, Nitration Nixon the andwas agenerouscontrib who industries,first township’s the of founded who Nixon, honor Lewis coincide. mailing and municipal both and address for many persons will will persons many for address utor to many township causes.utor township many to n coe te imn jubi diamond the October In laboratory in the Menlo Park Park Menlo the in laboratory u te dsn doae say advocates Edison the But They also say the name will will name the say also They n o tee M. esn has Nelson Mr. these, of One f C | D C f/ fT Txsk" T fiT "fc/t
J TE AL HM NW, E BUSIK N J, RDY SEP FRIDAY, J., N. BRUNSWICK, NEW NEWS, HOME DAILY jTHE t vember. played by Mrs. Charles Wira, chairman of the “ Women for Edison.” The Edison petition petition Edison The Edison.” for Women “ the of chairman Wira, Charles Mrs. by played n akn ta te ae e hne t Nxn il u te usin p o h vtr in voters the to up question the put will Nixon to changed be name the that asking one M hne h nm o Rrtn onhp o dsn s h rqet f hs pttos dis- petitions these of request the is Edison to township Raritan of name the Change 4MP: DSN EIIN PEAE FR FILING FOR PREPARED PETITIONS EDISON a >--y. W ' i • W
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