Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1910-06-07

. Representatives from various munici-
palities. as well as from civic organiza-
tions, are in attendance with protests,
and efforts will be made to induce the
commission to take action for relief.
Governor Fort, according to Trenton
dispatches today. has not decided>
whether or not to call special session.
When asked as to his decision in this
matter he said he was not prepared at
this time to enter a discussion of it.
The Railroad Commission today re-
ceived petition from william Tayoke,
| Seymour s. Young, w. o. Stoddard, jr.,
F.. A. B. Arnharm. jr., and Otto Ross.
all of Madison, protesting against the
| proposed increase in Communication rates
| by the Lackawanna.
Fort Thinks State Can Act.
This matter has been referred to the
attorney-g general and pending his con-
sideration of 1t Governor Fort said he
was not willing to discuss the power of
| the Railroad Commission as rate FIX
ing body. The Governor was anxious
to confer with Frank H. Sommer and
Attorney General Wilson. but as o,tn
of them were engaged in the Supreme
Court the conference could not be had.
The Governor made it plain that he
does not consider it settled that the
commission can go no further than to
advise with the railroads regarding
rates. He added that he had been
studying some of the laws on this sub
ject in a casual way and was inclined
to think that unless the Interstate
Commerce Commission regulations pre-
vent it, the State could take some
L.
In the event of the State Railroad
Commission deciding that it has no
power In the premises the appeal will
be taken to the Governor with all the
more force by the people.
The railroads argue that there can
be no State interference for the rea-
son that the rates published are to
points outside the State, and the juris.
diction therefore is lodged exclusively
in the Interstate Commerce Commis-
sion
The contention of many who are4 de-
manding State interference is that the
published rates to New York city are
Identical with those to Jersey City,
Hoboken and other terminal points,
and the cases call for relief from the
State authorities.
Attorney General Edmund Wilson IL
now considering the legal status+of 'rho
proposition.
AttOrney-GeneraI Examining the LAW
His report will probably be made to
Governor Fort tomorrow.
The attorney general is considering
the question as to whether there la
sufficient law on the statute books 10
enable the State to restrain the rail-
reads by INDUCTION from proceeding
with their burdensome rate-increases.
If the attorney general decides that
the laws are inadequate there is no re-
lief, except for Governor Fort tos call q
special session of the Legislatupe.
VIII the Governor call that special
session?
If the people of the suburban towns
and the different governing bodies have
any rights to be reckoned with he will.
Storms of protests are sweeping over
New Jersey, not only against the rail-
roads, but against the members of the
Legislature and others who permitted
conditions to arise where the State
finds itself powerless to prevent the
railroad impositions.
Protest resolutions have been adopted
by various municipalities and civic