Perth Amboy evening news., 1910-06-29
AMBOY
BIG PART IN
CONFERENCE
Christofferson Objects to
Newark RaiIroading Reso-
Iutions at Rate Hearing.
MEETING BREAKS UP
IN DISORDER

Perth Amboy played an important
part in the meeting OF the represen-
tatives of trade boards, civic bodies
and commuters, of northern New
Jersey, held at the call of the New
ark Board of Trade at the Free
Public Library yesterday afternoon,
to take action on the increases in
railroad rates. The meeting broke
up in disorder. A motion to declare
in favor of special session of the
legislature was the cause. 1t was
little point raised by v. p. Chris
Jefferson, of the Perth Amboy
Board of Trade, that started the
trouble.
Chairman Abraham Rothschild at
first refused to put the motion to
call special session, but was over
ruled. Delegates withdrew from
the meeting because the motion was
not put, others threatened to do so
II 1t were voted on.
A war of words ensued over the
purpose of the meeting and the in
depreciation of the invitations. All
that was accomplished was the adop-
tion of a resolution of organization
to raise funds and employ counsel
and to appoint ways and means
committee to determine a plan of
action. And this was afterward re-
scinded after Mr. Christofferson
had shown UP the trick on the part
of the Newark Board of Trade.
1t seems that the Newark Board
of Trade, while inviting all the
boards of trade in North Jersey to
attend the conference to discuss the
matter of rate raising on the part of
the railroads, had framed up six
pages Of typewritten resolutions be-
forehand and had plans well laid to
have these resolutions adopted just
as the Newark body wanted 1t done.
These resolutions referred the whole
thing to Washington, provided for
the employment of counsel and
would require a great amount of
time and expense. What the other
towns wanted was action at once
and they held that the quickest way
was to ask the governor to call a
special session Of the legislature
and have law passed giving the
railroad commission power to fix
rates.
The plan of the Newark Board Of
Trade worked smoothly until 1t ran
up against Mr.. Christofferson, of
this city. The chairman appointed
committee on resolutions without
any opposition and this committee
retired. Within ten minutes 1t was
back again with six pages OF type
written resolutions with the names
of the committeeman signed to them
These were recommended for adop-
tion. The motion was promptly
made that they be adopted and it
was carried.
The whole thing looked queer to
the Perth Amboy man. He arose
and asked the chairman II 1t was not
fact that these resolutions had not
only not been prepared by the com
mittee appointed at the meeting, but
had actually been prepared two days
before by the Newark Board of
Trade. The chairman expressed sur
prise that anyone should doubt the
integrity of the committeeman. He
asked Mr.. Christofferson If he
meant any insinuation against the
committeeman. Mr.. Christofferson
said he insinuated nothing, but he
thought he saw an attempt on the
part of the Newark Board of Trade
to invite the other towns to Newark
and then cram the resolutions of the
Newark board down the throats OF
the visitors without consideration.
The other delegates got their
eyes open. The resolutions which
had been passed were recalled and
voted down. The fight was then on.
The Newark board seemed possessed
to have their way or nothing. The
outcome was that nothing was ac-
complished
Nearly all the towns and cities In
North Jersey we're represented.
Those from the Perth Amboy Board
Of Trade were v. P. Christofferson
and Abel Hanson.
cs,,hrorlha FOR fha NEWC