The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1906-02-21
Berg and Bierck, Two Pa-
gan Legislators, Seek to
Make Life Unpleasant for
Assemblyman James Scott
DEMAND REPORT OF BILLS
BECAUSE ONE OF BIERCK's HAD
BEEN ADVERSELY REPORTED
HE ovERsTEPs THE RULES TO
DEMAND THE REPORT OF AN
OTHER NOT INTRODUCED BY
HIM. a..I..L...
Special to pThe Jersey city News. .,

Special to "The Jersey City News.")
TRENTON, Feb. 81, 906.-Assem'
blymen Berg and Bierck, of Hudson,
have been simultaneously dubbed by
their colleagues in the House as the Sia-
mese twins. Whenever one introduces a
bill the other takes as much active inter-
est in its welfare as if it bore his en-
dorsement. Both have introduced many
measures which they regard as being in
the interest of their county, and they are
extremely anxious to have them reported.
but the committee for some reason will
not look with favor upon these bills and
will not report them. Here is where all
the trouble lies. Both Berg and Bierck
propose to fight and if possible force the
committee to report their bills.
At yesterdays session of the House
both men clashed with their colleague
Mr.. Scott, of Bayonne, because the lat
ter, as chairman of the Committee on
Elections, had reported one Of Mr.
Biercks bills adversely.
Mr.. Beck demanded the reason. Mr.
Scott replied that the committee was not
obliged to give reasons for its action.
This remark aroused Mr. Berg's ire
Il demand to know he shouted, why
Mr.. Scott doesn't give reason
"As I said before" answere Mr.
Scott, Il have no reason to give.
Mr.. Berg became greatly vexed at this
reply and looking sharply at Mr.. Scott
exclaimed: 3Why don't you learn how
to speak English?"
II can speak English as good as you
can; if not better answered Mr.. Scot
somewhat tartly.
Things were beginning to look squany
when Speaker Robbins stepped into the
breach and gave Mr.. Berg mild rebuke
for his hastily spoken remark. Mr.
Berg made no attempt to apologize, and
the episode did not make any new friends
for him among the members.
Later. Mr.. Bierck sought to harass
Mr.. Scott, who is also member of the
Municipal Corporations Committee,
which has the Jersey City quo warranto
and the West Hudson water supply Dirs
in charge, by writing him letter stating
that he Intended to ask the House to
relieve the committee of both bills, un-
less they were promptly reported.
Mr.. Scott was greatly surprised. The
Jersey City quo warranto bill had been
introduced by Assernblyman John J.
Cayle and the West Hudson water sup
ply bill was presented by Assembly man
Joerg. The fact that neither of these
gentlemen had smade request that the
bills be reported caused Mr.. Scott to ask
who had given Mr.. Bierck authority to
ask for their release.
The rules of the House provide that
only the introducer of bill can give
notice that unless the committee reports
bill the introducer will ask the House
that it be relieved of the measure Both
Coyle and Joerg denied that they had
given Mr.. Bierck any authority to serve
such notice upon Mr.. 5Scott.
In explanation Mr.. Bierck said he be-
lieved he was. justified in giving Mr.. Scott
such a notice, because the Coyle and
Joerg bills were Jersey City's measures
and as he represented that city as well
as the introdneers of them he felt justi-
fed in oyerstepping the bounds Of pro-
priety when he gave Mr.. Scott notice OF
his intention.
When asked why he did not send his
notice to Assemblyman Scovel, chairman
Of the committee, as required by the
House rules, he said that as Mr. Scott
was a Hudson County representative and
member of the committee he believed
that better results would be accomplish
ed
Mr.. Bierck's conduct was generally dis
cussed by the members after the session
and the eoncensus Of opinion was that he
had an axe to grind.
Mr.. Scott is regarded as the Dickinson
leader in the House, while Bierck anc
Berg are pronounced Record Pagan lead
ers.
A GUARANTEED CURE F0R