, 1906-03-07
STATE LEGISLATURE
Lawmakers Working Fast as
Adjournment Approaches.
MAY HAVE INSURANCE INQUIRY
Colby and Martin Ask For Commit
tee to Probe Relations of Insurance
and Trust Companies-SevernI Rail-
road Taxation BiIls-Hot Debate on
Franchise Question.
Especial Correspondence

Trenton, March las the time for
final adjournment of the legislature
draws neal the work becomes more
hurried and more important. This
week has been an extremely busy one
in the legislative halls. The commit
tees have given much time atten-
ton to bills introduced, and hearings
have peel held whenever possible.
Some of the most important legislation
of the session has been touched upon
this week.
The Republican house leader, Assem-
blyman Perkins, moved his equal tax
alton bill back to second reading Mon
day night and amended ii i'll several
instances, notably changing the date
Of railroad assessment returns from
March 1 to May l to give more time to
get the measure through the senate in
time to go into effect this year.
Assemblyman Scovel, chairman OF
the committee on municipal corpora
lions, reported without recommended
tion and without amendment the local
option bill, Oh which SO great a fight has
peel waged by the church people and
liquor interests of the state. lie ac-
companied his report with 400 petit
tons urging the passage Of the bill.
Trust and Insurance Companies.
An attack was made by Senator Col
by of Essex Monday night on the rela-
tons between life insurance compa-
MES and trust companies. lie began
by introducing II resolution for the APP
pointment of u committee OF three sen
ators to investigate the relation be-
tween these corporations. Assembly
man Martin at the same time offered a
similar resolution in the house asking
for an investigation by u OF
five.
Mr.. Martin had n stormy time while
talking Oh the resolution. He began by
saying that the New York state inves'
tigation showed that presidents or HE
insurance companies in that state We're
robbers" The resolution was finally
referred to the committee on
and insurance, 81 yeas and 20 nays.
Mr.. Martin gave notice that on Mon
day evening next he would move 10 re-
Iieve the committee of further consld-
Grafton of the resolution. This means
a fight on the floor of the house.
The bill of Mr.. Mills providing that
local municipalities shall provide and
pay for voting places at the primaries
and elections was opposed ON thlrd
reading by Messrs. Morris, Mable ana
Wright on the ground that he boards
of freeholders should pay the election
IN. M. ,nn.,,. xyaS Ibid nypI.
A bill by Mr.. Perkins defines the
term main stem" in railroad taxation
TO include the roadbed not exceeding a
hundred feet in width, with its rails
and sleepers, not including depots or
other buildings erected therein or used
il connection herewith.
In the senate petitions favorlng the
local option bill were presented Mon
day night by Senators Alderman,
Frelinghuysen and Hutchinson. Sena-
tor Frelinghuysen also presented Il res
olution favoring Wakelee's bill for the
carrying of freight and express by
street railways.
New Senate Bills.
Among the senate bills introduced
were the following:
BY Mr.. McKee-Providing for the
taxation of all cemeteries except such
as are owned by any church or re-
ligious association.
BY Mr.. McKee-Enabling any city to
construct or otherwise acquire water
works within its own territory or in a
neighboring municipality.
BY Mr.. Colby-Prescribing the man
ner of removing the holders of ap-
pointive and elective offices.
by Mr.. Misunderstanding for the
labelling of proprietary or other medi-
cines containing alcohol, narcotics or
other potent drugs.
BY Mr.. neutrality-suspicious. the
annual salaries of common pleas
Judges. These salaries are to be in
lieu of all fees.
a most drastic automobile bill was
introduced by Mr.. Minturn. 1t pro-
vides for the establishment. under the
supervision of the state road super
visor, of toll houses and gates at in
tervals of ten miles on the main high
ways of the state. These are to be
connected by a telephone system II Il
toll of 10 cents collected from every
passing automobile by Il toll taker sal
aried at $15 Il week. These tolls are to
go to the county. The state gets an
annual license fee of So per auto, but
Il share of that goes to the different
counties for road repairs. There are
20 no noIiaan1np ON hOrSpS and motor