Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1910-03-21
PIERCE AND GOV.
FORT CONFER ON
UTILITIES BILL
Both Decline to Discuss C0nfab.
Belief Growing Measure
Will Be Signed.
Especial to the Newark star.l


TRENTON, March Ex-Governor
Fort and Assemblyman Carlton B.
Pierce, father of the House public util-
tiles bill, which was identical with the
Wakelee measure passed by both
houses me now ready for signing, had
a long conference on the measure with
Governor Fort at the State House to-
day.
AT its conclusion both refused to ak
about the measure. The Governor
was asked if former Assemblyman
William p. Martin, leader of the Es-
sex county Progressives, and the
father of the House public utilities bill
OF last year, which led to the famous
fight, had asked for a hearing on the
new bill before it was disposed of. The
Governor said he had not heard from
Martin. He admitted that he had re-
ceived several letters on the measure,
but refused to say from whom they
came or to what they referred.
The Governor refused absolutely to
discuss whether he would sign the
bill, but there is a strong impression
around the State House that he will
approve it.
Assembiyman Pierce likewise de-
clined to talk about the conference.
Asked if the question of the constitu-
~tionality of the bill had been taken Ut
he parted by saying that that ques-
ton had been discussed by many people
and several newspapers. He would not
say, however, whether this was one of
the reasons for his conference with
the Governor. Finally he said:
Il have given the bill the most care
full consideration and l believe it is a
sound measure
The Democratic minority of the Leg
islature fought against the bill on the
ground of unconstitutionality, as well
as inadequacy. The members have ap-
pealed to the Governor to veto the bill.
Former Assemblyman William p. Mar
tin has also written to the Governor
asking for a hearing on the bill.
The claim is made that when the bill
says the commission shall nave power
to require safe and adequate service it
attempts to delegate legislative power,
and is, therefore. unconstitutional To
enable the commission to obtain such
service, specific authority, the oppon-
ents of the bill aver, would have to be
provided. Mr.. Martin and his associates
ask to be given a hearing by the Gov
ernor when he listens to the arguments
against the bill by Senators Osborne,
Silzer, Fielder and Gebhardt.
The Legislature will reconvene to-
night and both houses will remain in
session every day in order to clean up
the calendars so that the final adjourn
ment scheduled for Thursday, March 81,
can be carried out. Both House Leader
Edge and Senate Leader Alderman
have agreed to the early adjournment
and they are going to rush the business
from now on.
Railroad Bills Pending.
Numerous railroad bills are still to
be fought over, a score of State Board
of Health bills are in committee or on
the calendars. the grade crossing bill
introduced by Senator Alderman for
the State Railroad Commission, all the
Fort administration bills and a lot of
other time -consuming matters are still
to be discussed.
Governor Fort expects to get busy
upon the question of railroad revalua-
ton this week. Senator Fielder, DEM
ocrat, of Hudson. has introduced a bin
to appropriate $4,000 for the compile
ton of the work begun by the three
commissioners named by the Governor
under the Smalley act of the last Leg
islature. No Republican has made a
move to have the work continued.
Assemblyman Smalley said last week
that he was not prepared to say what
move he might make. He had heard
nothing OF any Republican plan to put
through further legislation to continue