New-York tribune., 1910-01-12
FORT STRIKES OUT
ATLANTIC CITY HIT.
Message Lays Utility Bills
Defeat to Corporations.
rBv relerraDh 70 The rribune

Trenton n. J., Jan 1.-THE public utiI- I
tiles corporations of New Jersey came in t
for a scathing arraignment by Governor
Fort in his second annual message TO the |
Legislature of this state to-day. He |
charges these corporations with the de-
feat Of the utilities legislation and says
that at the last session of the Legislature
their lobbyists, '1n most audacious and
notorious manner entered the Assembly
chamber and tried to defeat any utilities
bill" The Governor also demands that the
present Republican Legislature create a
public utilities commission, with ample
jurisdiction and powers to enable it to reg
ulate utility corporations effectively and
authoritatively, and says that the failure
to enact this Legislation during the last
two years has been a fragrant violation
of a most honorable and specific politics.
pledge"
The Governor also applies the lash to
Atlantic City, although not mentioning il
by name. He says that the sacredness
OF the Sabbath, the purity of the ballot
the virtue of woman, the protection of life
itself, all seem inconsequential when
weighed in the scale against the illicit
sale of liquor" and asserts that any COM
munity that openly violates the law,
against the demands of the Governor the
courts and the moral sense of the state, is
In condition of antagonism that is an
archistic in form and effect. He a. ks for
power to remove officials who fail to en-
force the law.
Governor Fort says he favors the exten-
sion of the direct primary law to the nom
ination Of candidates for Governor and
congressman. He urges Civil Service ex-
animation for all elective offices, the use
of the blanket ballot and legislation that
,1fn slf.
money at elections. The Governor dwells
lightly on the proposed extension of the
Palisades Park. contenting himself with
calling attention to the message of Gov
ernor Hughes on the subject, and says
that New Jersey will be asked to make
reasonable appropriation, which should be
freely granted.
The Governor also renews his former
recommendations for the abolition of coun-
ty tax boards. and, the Legislature fail
ing to bring this about, he urges that the
cost of their maintenance be borne by the
counties instead of by the state He also
asks for the creation of a department of
corporations, a department of motor vehi-
cles and a department for the collection OF
collateral inheritance taxes. He also favors
a strioter regulation of the liquor traffic
and urges the election of a state board TO
purchase supplies.
In discussing the failure of the Legis-
lature to enact a public utilities law the
Governor says:
1t would seem that a~law so advantageous
to the people would be easy of enactment;
yet It Is disCOuraging to undertake TO aC-
complish anything In this direction. The
whole powers of these corporations are ar
rayed against the proposed legislation, and
the use of their money, gotten from the
people, Is felt in the elections If not in
other directions. and up to this time it
would seem to have been potential.
The failure to enact this legislation dur
mfg the last two years has been a fragrant
violation of a most honorable and specific
political pledge. The Republican party in
the state platform which the present
Governor was elected declared: 1--WE pledge
ourselves to enact a law providing for
powers to enable 1t to regulate public utility
corporations effectively and authoritative
guage. The platform of the Democratic
party was equally clear
In asking the Legislature to give the
Governor the power OF removing city and
county officers who refuse TO enforce the
laws of the state the Governor takes up
the Atlantic City situation in the follow
ing manner:
In one of the counties of this state the
laws to excise matters are openly and
notoriously violated and a direct refusal
70 enforce them asserted.
For what is all this permitted? Simply
for the filthy gain that comes from the
open violation of the law The sacredness
of the Sabbath, the purity Of the ballot
the virtue of woman. the protection of
life itself, all seem inconsequentiaI when
weighed in the scale against the Illicit
sale Of liquors.
A community that openly and intention
ally violates the law, against the demands
OF the Governor, the instructions of the
courts. the notice of the Attorney General
state, is in a condition OF antagonism that
is anarchiStic In form and effect
iyh ha nIn
looms from Il o'clock midnight until a. m.
and the limiting of licenses to one for every
FIVE hundred inhabitants are also urged by
the Governor.
An increase of one-thirJ in the cost of
automobile licenses is asked by Governor
Fort in connection with the road system
Of the state.
After giving brief history of the present
Palisades Interstate Park. Governor Fort
says
An extension Of this park system in the
State of New York has lately been assured
by the splendid gift of ten thousand acres
of land and 100000 in cash by Mrs.
Hartman, widow of Z. II. Hartman =.
and a number of large subscriptions by
public spirited citizens OF New York State.
The fund raised by these gifts exceeds
81 500 900. and the State of New York is eX-
pected to authorize an expenditure of a
like amount. Our state will be asked to
make a reasonable appropriation, payable
should respond by generous action in this