Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1910-06-24
Federal Commission Is
Without Authority in
Jersey Rate Cases.
STATE UTILITIES BOARD
WILL BE POWERLESS
Governors Failure to Call Spe-
cial Session and Republicans
Neglect Severely Condemned.

New Jersey commuters have been
buncoed.
Developments indicate that the Fed
eral commission is without power to
prevent the increase in railroad COM
mutation rates.
Relief must not be expected from the
State Railroad Commission, because
that body has already confessed that
it is powerless to act in the premises.
The Public Utilities Commission,
which on July succeeds the Railroad
Commission, is equally helpless.
The commuters, in nutshell, are in
the same predicament as they were
when first they protested.
Governor Fort holds the key to solv-
ing the problem, to wit, reconvene the
Legislature for the purpose of properly
equipping the State Commission
Again the oft-repeated question is
asked. "Will he do it?"
The railroads intend to increase their
rates next week.
The Interstate Commerce Commission
believes that it is without jurisdiction.
and yetIt requests the railroads to sus-
pend the increase till August /.
The railroads so far have made no
promises, and it is doubtful whether
they will alter their program.
May seek Injunction.
Attorney General Wilson has inti-
mated that he will apply to the Court
of Chancery for an injunction to re-
strain the Erie from increasing it's
rates, on the ground that it is a VIOLA
tion of the law of 1898 under which the
Erie and Susauehanna roads were
merged.
That application may be made to-
morrow. as the Erie increases go into
effect on Sunday.
The governor is being seyerly criti-
cised for his failure to cali the Iegis-
lature in special session, and the Re
publican legislators who are respon
sible for the weak utilities law are
being scored throughout the State.
The Erie Lackawanna and Central
railroads presented financial reports
and tax statements for the last five
years to the State Railroad Commits
sion. which is sitting at Trenton today.
The information was requested by the
commission on June IA, as basis of
determining the physical valuation of
railroad property in New Jersey.
TO Ascertain Value of Property.
It is the boards plan to ascertain the
value of railroad property and the in
come ana expense DIS 1t DdSlS lpi iC-
Gliding whether proposed increases in
fares are just and reasonable. Because
of the mass of matter submitted at the
hearing of June Ia and of the complex
ity OF data presented today, the Rail-
road Commission adjourned until next
Tuesday to take time for consideration
of the case.
A communication from the Pennsyl-
vania Railroad stated that the infor-
nation as to that roads property and
finances for the last five years would
be forwarded within a few days.
Because of the immense quantity of
matter submitted said President SOM
mer Of the commission, 'and of the
quantity of matter to come, we will
have to defer further hearings to di-
gest it."
An offer by Governor Fort to pay for
a railroad statistician out of his emer-
gency fund was accepted by resolution,
and an expert will be employed at once
10 assist in considering the data in the
rate investigation.
ONLY a mere acknowledgment of the
request for information as to railroad
property values has been received thus
far from the State Board of Assessors
but informally the Railroad Commits
sion was informed today that there
would be no difficulty about obtaining
access to State tax records
The commission will establish head
quarters in Newark. pobably in the
Lawyers building. in Market. street
next week. A week from Monday the
Railroad Commission WsD become the
Public Utilities Commission, under the
law of 1910. 1t will be made up of the
same men, Frank H. Sommer, Thomas
nd williams
New station at kearny.
The railroad commission at today'sI
meeting voted to order the Erie rail
road to build a station at Kearny on
the Newark branch. between kearny
and Grant avenues. The order re-
ouir,ss proper and adequate service for
residents of Kearny, holding that Har-
rson station is too far away for con-
venience. This is victory for resi-
dents Of the town of Kearny. The Erie
has been stopping a few trains at
Kearny but has no station there.
The commission refused permission
to Passaic City to extend Madison ave-
nue. over the Erie tracks at grade.
The Wharton and Northern railroad,
Il "jerk-water line was scolded for
not keeping its entire rolling stock of
three locomotives and two coaches in
better condition.
The old fight between Garfield and
the Erie railroad was partially settled
by an order to the people of Garfield
to establish the status of affairs that
existed before the police and fire de-
partments. captained by the mayor
held the Erie railroad employees In
check while Van Wrinkle avenue was
extended across the Bergen shortcut
tracks at grade Garfield acted with
out the Railroad Commissions con-
sent.