The evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1907-1908, 1907-10-03
REPS. SPLIT
IN HOUSE ON
UTILITY BILL

w. Smalley. Samuel S. Taylor, Frank
B.. Potter, Samuel A. R1dgeway ana
William f. Drake.
The bill in it's present shape provides
that the Governor shall appoint the
membe of the commission until the
general election of nex year when
they shall be chosen by the people. II
gives the commission power to nx
rates for any service rendered by cor
~porations coming under its jurisdiction
1t provides, too, for the adjustment
of the present Railroad Commission by
placing the duties of that body upon
the proposed commission. In addition
to punishment in the courts on the
charge of a misdemeanor for any vio-
lation, the new bill would have a fine of
S 1000 added for each and every offense.
The power to abolish grade crossings,
which the present Railroad Commits
sion lacks, the bill would confer upon
the new commission.
The Democratic Assemblymen sat
around all morning in the hope n a
a4majority might arrive. 1t was seen,
however, as the day progressed that
it YVES practically out of the question
to GET the 81. At a caucus which was
held in the afternoon the public utili-
9d the direct primaries bill were
pred, and it was decided to put
ILLS to the vote of the House
Fine Republicans were not in favor
Democratic amendments, the
urged, they could express them
tiog so. IN
C1fternoon Mr.. Klenert moved that
public utilities bill be placed on
Hoao1 raodfpo c~Sa01b1Vma ArChi-
zebald Alexander, of Hudson, at once
offered amendments to it. His first
provided that the present railroad COM
mission be abolished and that its duties
devolve upon the proposed new body.
The amendment also provided that the
commission have power to remove
grade crossings which Attorney General
Robert H. McCarter ruled it had not.
Assemblyman Alfred N. Barber, of
Mercer, the minority leader, who is
slated for the se~cretaryship of the
present commission, objected to the
r amendment, stating that he thought
the insertion of such an amendment
might bring constitutional defects into
the bill unless the duties of the COM
mission in regard to railroads were
specifically defined. An argument de-
veloped between the two over this
point, but Mr.. AleXande seemed TO
have the better of the contest, His
principal reason for the amalgamation
was that it would save the State $4,000
a year by the adjustment of merely an
advisory railroad commission.
The amendment was adopted where
upon Assemblyman Mark A. sullivan,
of Hudson, offered another which stip-
ulated that the members of the com
mission be elected at the general cleo
tions. 1t provided, too, in view of the
proximity of the present election, that
the Governor appoint three commits
sioners to serve until next year.
ME-. Barber had his usual objections.
This time he did not think that the
elective plan furnished any great hope
of good to the people. as it would be
easy for the railroads to get control OF
the nominations, or of the commission
ers after they had Dee elected. The
ARGUMENTS were unavailing and the
amendment was passed.
Majority Leader Klenert then offered
an amendment to the bill providing
that in addition to whatever punishk
ment q cour might infict upon conf