Perth Amboy evening news. [volume] (Perth Amboy, N.J.) 1903-1959, 1907-09-26
S|LzER AND COLBY ON
THE NEW UTILITY BILL
Succeed In Getting
The Amendments
Passed.
TO ASSEMBLY
Special to the EVENING NEWS:

Special to the EVENING NEWS:
TRENTON, Sept 26:-After a
strenuous fight, the senate at 6
O'Clock last night, passed the public
utilities bill under suspension of the
rules. Senator Silzer, of Middle
sex county upon whose shoulders has
fallen the mantle of James F. Min
turn as minority leader, worked hard
| for a more stringent measure with an
elective commission, rate fixing pow
ers, and other strong features. In
this skirmfsh the democrats had the
aid of Senator Colby in many of the
moves.
The stand made by Senator Silzer
was notable for its persistence and
the skillful, tactical way in which
he endeavored to accomplish his ends
and he succeeded in compelling the
republicans to accept certain amend
ments through the sheeer force of
their merit.
Some of Silzer's Amendments.
One of the most important amend
ments which Senator Silzer got into the
| bill was one providing that the COM
mission of three members should be
| composed of not more than two of the
same political faith. thus giving the
democrats a representation of one on
| the board. He also won out on his
contention that the term of the office
of the commissioners should be made
| three years instead of six, as provided
| in the bill as reported. Other amend
| ments which SilZer secured were: Pro-
! viding that the Public Utility Commits
1 sion shall hold stated meetings anc
keep it's Office in the state house opeI
every working day from a. m. to 5 p
Sin mol n 4
testify before the commission wher
properly summoned, under penalty o.
a misdemeanor; also providing that ;
, witness shall have immunity from
punishment If in testifying he incrim
mates himself. AS reported by tn
committee the bill simply provide
that those summoned should appear be
fore the committee. Senator Silzer ais
won on his fight for an amendmen
r providing that the act shall not be con
Il strued to take away any rights no'
, enjoyed by any municipality.
Senator Colby got in an amendmen
providing that the governor shall hav
. the power to remove any of the com
missioners from Office for cause.
4 Colby made a determined fight to ge
, rate fixing amendment into the bill
e but was beaten on this point.
AS a last stand Senator Silzer pre-
sented a new bill and fought to hav
| it substituted for the measure unde
discussion. This measure was local
lied replica of the Hughes measure i
New York, except that it include
water companies and telegraph an
telephone companies. also steam rail
road companies. 1t provided for
elective commission and gave the com
mission power to fix rates. The Geno
cratic move to substitute this bill W.
defeated. The republican measure wa
passed as amended. 1t is now up t
the democratic assembly.
t What the Bill Provides.
Il The bill provides for a commission o
:, three members at annual salaries o
', $4,000 each. 1t shall appoint secre
u tary at salary of $4,000 a year, tw
y inspectors one civil engineer and tn
k other mechanical or electrical expert
S and other necessary help. The tota
A annual expenses are not to eXcee
$4,000. The commission is given gen
eral supervision of all gas, oil, electric
= light. heat power, water. sewer, tele
phone. telegraph and street railwa
$ corporations operating within thi
I state, and their plants, mains, conduit
4 polelines, pipelines, track and equiv
ment.