Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1910-07-02
REPUBLICANS Of
LEGISLATURE ARE
SLOW TO REPLY
Questions of Commuters Are
Unanswered by G. O. P. Men,
While Democrats Are Prompt.
NEW UTILITIES COMMISSION
is TO BE EFFECTIVE SOON
Rate-Making Power Should Be
Conferred on Reorganized
Body by Law-Makers.

Legislators are reluctant to. go upon
record in the railroad fight
Responses to the letters addressed
to the eighty-one law-makers by the
Commuters League, of New Jersey re-
questing them to state their positions
In regard to the railroad fair increase
and an extra session are coming in
very slowly.
The twenty-five Democratic senators
and assemblymen have 1oined in me-
tit'oning Governors Fort to call spe-
cial session.
Inc Governor has promised not to
disappoint the public In the issuance
OF q statement on next Tuesday, In
which ne will state whether he win
call the extraordinary session
The fffty-six Republican sena Tors and
assemDiymen controlling both the Aeen-
ate and the House are hesitatfng -
replying to the commuters questions.
They prefer waiting 10 see what the
Governor proposes to do on Tuesday
before committing themselves al
though the commuters argue that anv
law-maker who is in sympathy win
their fight would answer their on,z
letter Immediately upon receipt.
/ Senator James r. Fielder of yarss-,
City, and Assemblyman Joseph P. Tn-
multy. also of Jersey City. were fha
first to reply to the two questions. The
first question was:
DO you favor a special session OF
the Legislature being called at once
to deal with the subject of railroad
legislation ?''
The second question was:
IL special session of the LegfsIa-
ture is called will you vote in favor Of
con1err1ng a rate-making power upon
tho Public Utilities Commission. with
adequate power of enforcement
To both questions Senator Fielder
and Assemblyman Tumu1ty answered:
Yes"
Assemblyman Tumuity. besides re-
plying In the affirmative to the second
question. added:
I have voted for a rate-maling blu
on four different occasions
Edward McKeown. secretary Of the
league, Is receiving the replies, and fe
expects by Tuesday morning to have
enough affirmative ones to make an i'm
Marshall. president of the league. ana
Secretary McKeown, will rush the law
makers replies to the Governor If the
latter announces his ultimatum on
Tuesday. The commuters still believe
that special session viii be called,
unless, of course. the Governor can
compel the railroads to recede
| The public utilities law passed by the
last Legislature becomes operative on
Monday.
| The public utilities law is an amends
ment and supplement to the present
railroad commission law and extends
the powers Of that commission TO every
railroad, express street railway. trac-
ton, canal subway. pipeline, gas.
electric light. heat and power, water.
sewer, telegraph. telephone or other
public utility corporation. No power
| is given to fix rates. so that the new
commission will not be able to do more
| than make recommendations in the
present war against the increase in
passenger communication fares.
The main powers of the new COM
mission will be, after hearing upon mo-
tice to corporations by order in writ
! ing. to compel compliance with State
laws, to require safe and adequate !.
| service, 10 require pubic UTILITIES 10
keep the books and records in a man
ner Ineligible to the commission and
to direct any utility corporation found
granting rebates to cease therefrom
Orders of the commission are to be
enforced in the State courts, with right
of appeal given to the corporation. No
| privilege or franchise granted after
Monday to any public utility by any
local, municipal or county governing
body will be valid until approved by
the commission
| There will be no change in the per-
sonnel of the present railroad comm's-
sion, but their salaries viii be In
creased from 5000 to $1,000. The COM
missioners are Frank H. Sommer, of
Newark; Robert Williams. of Pater-
son, and Thomas ]. Hillery. OF Boon
ton. Alfred N. Barber, of Trenton. will
remain as secretary, but his salary win
be Increased to $4,000. The appoint
ments under the new commission must
be made subject to the provisions Of
the civil service law. The latter COM
| mission will conduct an examination
on July IL for the Office Of chief In
spector. He viii receive salary Of
$4,000.
| p~-sra.