The evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1907-1908, 1907-07-16
ASK LAW FOR
CONTROLLING
COMMISSION
Trade Board Members to
Urge Senator's tOsAct on
Public Utilities.

The public utilities committee of the
Board of Trade yesterday afternoon
adopted resolutions squarely dehnin
the attitude Of the board on the ques-
ton of public corporations. 1t declared
for the appointment of a commission
with broad powers to investigate and
control these corporations by the en-
forcement of rules hat shall assure the
safety and adequacy of service; that
shall adjust and fix reasonable rates;
that shall control their ca~pitalization;
that shall provide publicity and uni
formity OF accounting, and, finally, that
shall enforce the observance of existing
laws.
Before the resolutions were adopted
Alderman William p. Martin, chairman
of the committee, and James NJ. Reilly.
secretary of the board, outlined the
purpose of the meeting which is to be
held in the Common Council chamber
of the City Hall tonight, where the
special committee of the State Senate
will be represented to hear the views of
citizens in this section of the State on
the question of a law providing for the
appointment of such a commission.
Alderman Martin insisted upon the
necessity for such a commission as In
line with President Roosevelt's policy
end with modern progress. His views
proved to be satisfactory to all the
members present, and when the resolu-
lions were read and offered for adop-
ton the vote was unanimous. Every
member of the committee in the city
tonight will attend the meeting in the
City Hall. The resolutions as passed
read as follows:
Resolved, That 1t is the sense OF this
committee that q suitable law should be
enacted to provide for the creation OF
q public utilities commission. with we'll
defined powers, aimed to conserve business
and public interests through proper and
safe regulation and control of all public
utilities companies, particularly in the fol-
lowing respects, among others:
Adequacy and safety of service.
Just and reasonable rites.
importantly Of rates and service,
Control of capitalization.
Publicity and uniformity of accountinPs.
Authority in the commission. for the
prompt and efficient administration of the
statutes"
1t had been planned at first to have
a meeting of the Board of Trade, but
because of the vacation season that
was found to be impracticable. In
stead, Secretary James NJ. Reilly and
Alderman Martin arranged for yester-
days committee meetings in order that
there might be definite action of some
sort to put Newarkers on record either
for or against a bill. Chairman Martin,
of h board committee, was deputized
to present a copy of the resolution
given above to the Senate Committee
and to speak for h board committee.
AS a citizen and a member of the New
/ Idaa nHr, nt1n4iCx. ~ kIA D~-,.LYIz~-
party, Mr.. Martin said last night that
he expected to make known his per-
sonal view as to the character of bill
that he believed was desired. HI
agrees in every detail with the resolu-
ton passed by the committee yester'
day. 1t. he says, expresses the broad
healthy plan for public utilities control
What he has to say personally will be
an elaboration on the six points appear
ing in the document.
Senator Thomas S. Hillery, of Norris
County. is chairman of the committee
that is to sit here, and Senator Samuel
X. Robbins. of Burlington County, is
the other Republican member. Senator
James s. Minturn, of Hudson County.
was named as the Democratic minority
member of the committee, but he has
asked President Bloomfield II. Minch,
of the Senate, to relieve him, because
he desires to close up his personal bust
ness affairs and assume his place on the
Circuit Court bench. to which Governor
Edward c. Stokes appointed him, with
the Senate's concurrence, following the
death of Justice William Quick Garrett
son.
After the hearing in Newark the COM
mittee may adjourn for further public
discussion of the subject before de-
voting, itself to the preparation of a
bill. As soon as the committee is ready
to report the Senate will consider
reconvening for business. 1t had been
expected that there would be a session
of the Senate ere this to take UP the
business that the House thrust at the
upper legislative body before adjourn
ing to September II. but it is believed
now that the Solons will all rest until
after the hot weather is over.