The star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1908-1909, 1909-01-06
FINANCES
WORRY TO FORT
AND LEGISLATURE
Need of More Revenue to Com
tinue BUSINESS of Jersey Em-
phasized in Conference.
LARGE PORTION OF r. R.
TAX MAY BE DIVERTED
Governor May Recommend Es-
Establishment of tuberculosis
Camp in His Message.

TRENTON, Jan. Estate finances
were discussed by Governor Fort and
the majority of the Republican Senators
in the executive chambers yesterday,
and that the State needs money was
again emphasized by the fact that the
Governor expects to discuss this i'm
portant matter in the message hat he
is to send to the Legislature next week.
The plan to divert a larger percentage
of railroad taxes again came to the
front in the course of the discussion.
The diversion of a larger percentage
of these railroad tax moneys to State
uses would mean a corresponding re-
duction in the allotment to the school
fund. Under existing law the State gets
for the expenses of running the govern
ment u of l per cent. of the taxes
levied on the main STEM of the rail-
roads, the balance going to the public
schools of the State. The schools like
wise get a very large percentage of the
taxes levied on the second-class prop
erty of the railroads, non of which, goes
to the State, although the assessment Is
made by the State board.
other Matters Discussed.
The Senators and the Governor also
discussed several other matters at III
conference, but the question as to the
States finances was paramount. There
was all sorts of talk about the way in
which the AK of econom was to be
swung, but no nj appeared to be sure
as to what conclusion. if any, was
reached.
That Governor Fort had about aban-
doned his idea of having a State Excise
Board created was declared with some
degree of authority, it having been said
that he has become ware of a lack of
public sentiment in this direction. He
will doubtless have much to say on the
subject in his message.
Another rumor of the day was to the
effect that there is more probability Of
the retention of the present State Rail-
road Commission than of the creation
of a new Utilities Commission to take
its place. Some of the strongest men OF
the Senate are said to be unwilling to
lend their aid to the creation of any
more commissions, but are said to be
willing to give the Railroad Commits
sion additional powers which might
maket thai DOuy SuIilcleHlly ellecllVe 1T
all needful
Rate-Making Power.
1t is not probable, according to n
who ought to know, that any commits
sion viii be given the rate-making
power. Such a proposition, it was de-
clared, never could get the necessary
votes in the Senate,
The probable fate of the County
Boards of Equalization of Taxes is said
to have been another subject of dis
cussion, but no definite conclusion was
reached. Few of the Senators, it is de-
clared. look with favor Upon the pro-
posed abolition of these boards, although
Gaunt, of Gloucester, is pledged to
work for the repeal of the law creating
them.
That the Governor favors the estab-
lishment of a State tuberculosis camp
somewhere within the pinelands of Bur-
lington or Ocean counties was declared
by him to be a fact, and some such rec
ommendation will no doubt figure in
the message.