New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1906-03-23
BIG SCHEME IN THIS.
4 JERSEY SNEAK BILL.
NinturB'S Measure Needs Serious
Scrutiny and Examination.
TBy telegraph to The Tribunal

DCFULtltU ana ILtINUlIIIII1OT1.
IBy Telegraph TO The Tribunal
Trenton. \. J.. March 22.-There is something
mysterious about Senate bill 14l. which has been
suietIy working its way along through the Leg
islature and has attracted no particular atten-
ton until now. It was introduced on February
10 by Senator AIinturn. Of Hudson County.
Il was referred to the Committee on Railroads
and Canals, Of which Senator Lee, Of Atlantic is
chairman. His associates on the committee ara
Senator's Frelinghuysen. Of Somerset. and Cor
nish, OF Warren
The title OF the bill is:
An act 10 authorize the organization Of cor
poratOns 10 construct dams in the rivers ana
streams within this state for the purpose Of d.
veloping and selling water power and generating
distributing and selling electricity and defining
their powers
Minturn, the introducer, says the measure was
Intended only for the erection Of a dam in +ba
Toms River. While the Senator from Hudson
does not represent Ocean County, through which
the stream flows he has a country place on the
banks somewhere. Beyond that the Senator has
nothing to say, although he practically admits he
did not draft the measure. Whatever the de-
tails as to Introduction may prove to be. It f.
certain that the measure not only conforms TO
the famous Delaware River dam bill Of 1897.
which Il VIII reinforce If passed, but it provides
for new style Of incorporation and for a char
ter OF the broadest character proposed in many
years.
Il starts by providing that It shall be lawful
for three or more persons to associate them
selves into a company for the purpose of con-
suucung' maintaining and operating dams In
the rivers and streams within this state for d.
veloping and selling water power and generating,
distributing and selling electricity for light heat
and power and other purposes to individuals and
firms and public and private corporations.
SOME DETAILS OF THE BILL
Then It goes into minute details as to the
way IN which the company shall be organized
and 10 how the records Of stock ETC. shall
be kept The only restrictions placed on tho
articles Of incorporation are that they shall not
be "repugnant to the constitution and laws Of
this state or the United States"
The right Of condemnation is likewise pro-
vided for.
Here are some Of the wide powers extended to
those availing themselves OF the measure. If
enacted:
Every such corporation shall have power to
build acquire and maintain dam dams IN
the rivers and streams in the state together with
all necessary or convenient reservoirs ponds,
locks weirs, gates, bridges and all other works,
race or races and canals 70 convey the water
inpOunded by such dam or dams 10 a con-
venient place or places for its use as a power
20 propel machinery, and 10 establish and main
tain power station or power stations Tor deVel-
opiug water power and for generating cleo
tricity.
Every such corporation shall have power 70
purchase the property, rights, privileges and
franchises. or any part thereof, Of any corpora
ton Organized for the purpose Of manufacturing
and distributing electricity. and to sell lease
its daHE-F properties, rights, privileges and fran
lfee~ on nv Tart thereof to any other corpora
non or corporations Of this state. TO unite and
consolidate, well as merge its stock, property,
franchises. dams and works with those Of any
other company or companies, 70 form new cor
poratiOn, or TO do both.
BILL REPORTED OUT
The bin was reported out favorably about two
weeks ago and took the usual course, reaching
final passage on Tuesday. Minturn made
speech telling how Toms River needed a dam.
de did not push the matter very hard, however,
and when Wazelee intmated that despite the
known character Of the Senator from Hudson,
De had his suspicious about the bin. vote
was taken and only two votes were recorded in
its favor
Then certain people became busy. It is under
stood that several prominent men IN water and
electric interests arrived on Tuesday night un-
der cover and spent several hours in one Of the
hotels and were also locked up for time I'm
State House apartH.e ent.
A. any rate. the bin called up in the Sen
are yesterday afternoon and passed by vote Of
Il t0 .. The measure was not ordered sent right
70 me House. The idea was evidently, to at
tract as little attention as possible. 1t will
reach the House on Monday night and it win
be interesting 10 see TO what committee 1t is re-
ferr=d
The belief Of those we'll posted is that the bill
IS n be the basis Of great water scheme which
is 20 be worked in connection with the Norris
Canal abandonment if that should succeed, or
without reference to the canal in case nothing is
done iu that direction.
While the charge is emphatically denied as
might De- expected, It is believed the East Jersey
Water Company and its associates are behind
t-e scheme.
AT any rate, plot no plot. scheme or no
fcle-u=- it Is mighty interesting proposition to