Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1910-06-09

erty; that private money was invested IN
the enterprises, and any interference is
wrong; that they as vested interests are
secure,
We have lost sight entirely of the fact
that the State of New Jersey helped build
some of them, and that all these railroads
exist and exist only because the State gives
them the right to exist.
The State gave them charters. and By
those charters gave them life.
They have the right TO take priva te
property If the owner wants TO sell or not;
TO take streets: to elevate tracks; damage
private property and otherwise exercise
governmental functions.
In return they owe 1t TO the State to give
good service at reasonable rates.
The rates. which were esta blished by the
railroads themselves and remained, fixed
for years. are suddenly deemed to he too
low. Not by one railroad. but by all.
The public on the one side feels strongly
that i is being imposed upon: the railroad
on the other will have some plausible
should he some official body TO decide which
Is right n correct the evil. If It exists.
No Existing Remedy.
Our courts now have the power to decide
that n rate Is unreasonable. This. however.
does moi go TO the meat of the cocoanut,
because the remedy is not practical M
individual could prosecute a suit, on account
of the expense and trouble. For praf-
teal purposes It is no remedy.
Over the rates between the States the
Interstate Commerce Commission. may
have jurisdiction. The. rates within the
State should he regulated by the Public
rTtiilfies Commission. or any other proper
com mission which could be truosted
m the Legislature can say. as II does,
that the rate for PASSENGERS shall not ex-
ceea 2 cents n mile II may. wei he
that the rates heretofore existing for
commuters can be made the maximum. IL
that is found to be fair and just.
THE first thing. however. is the c%oncen.
tration of public sentiment and 2 united
demand for reconvening the Legislature.
fWhen that extra session is called, the
best minds of the State will be directed
Ia n solution of the question. and results
III IS perhaps useless TO suggest legisla-
ton II there is no Legislature In session
to enact the laws.
The Board Of Guardians doesn't want
TO loosen it's grip on the State. II 1t cant
fool the people again 1t NAV reluctantly
allow legislation to pass. The guardians
get very sensitive about this time every
Now is the time. to hit. The irons hot
and the people are hot. And II the guard
do NOT respond to the demand something
is going TO drop. 1t will probably drop
anyway.
time
Tumuity Urges Extra Session.
Assemblyman Joseph p. Tumulty, of
Hudson. said today that he joined
with Senator Fielder in urging Gov-
ernor Fort to convene the Legislature
In special session for the purpose of
protecting commuters and other pa
irons Of railroads within the State.
LET the Legislature enact a genuine
public utilities bill, not a makeshift
like the one to become operative July
L." he aid Then the present situa-
ton will be obviated.'
Assemblyman Sullivan of Hudson,
said;
II am certainly in favor of a special
session of the Legislature to adjust the
railroad rates. AS | stated or the fioor
of the House when the Wakelee public
utilities bill was up for passage, IT IS
absolutely worthless, and the Republi-
cans knew when they voted for h
measure hat it would be ineffective.
Had the Republican majority been sin
eere in their advocacy OF a public util-
tiles bill they would have passed the
Martin bill. That was a genuine pub
lie utilities measur and would have
accomplished results"
Assemblyman Christopher S. Hand,
of Cape May county, said; "On the
question of the calling of a special ses-
sion YOU can record me in the affirma-
tive f.T.a,. Ma* 4.
"a inkea Enters Fight.
In the letter sent to Attorney-Ge
eral Wickersham yesterday Congress-
man Euaen f. Kinkead. of Hudson
County. called upon that official to
a k steps to prevent the increase of
passenger rates by railroads operating
in this State. In his letter Congress-
man Kinkead said:
Now that a truce has been effected
betw the Western railroads n the
-l.--... a.. @Iatr farrifarU wiQh IN
direct YOUR attention to the matter of
the increase OF passenger rates from
points IN northern New Jersey to New
York city. A large increase in the
communication rates is contemplated,
and general dissatisfaction among the
commuters has resulted. / will be very
grateful to you If you will look into
this matter at once n advise me as
to what, in your judgment, can be done
in the premises"
I'VE will gladly join any movement
that will prevent the railroads operat-
ing in this State from collecting in
creased passenger tariffs said Mrs.
Frank Ambler Pattison. president of
the New Jersey State Federation of
Womenis Clubs.
Women Lend Their Aid.
! 1.-The subject was discussed at the
recent meeting of our board of directors
In Newark and the investigation will
be continued at a special meeting of
the board to be held this month. prob
ably in Princeton, when decisive action
will be taken
Mrs. Beatrice Stern, Essex County
chairman of the federation. said:
" am very much interested in this
question, and ! hope some means will
be devised at the mex meeting OF u
board OF directors SO that we can
throw our influence to prevent railroads
from raising their passenger rates."
The Federation of Women's Clubs Is
composed of Las organizations. the total
membership of which is thous-
sands, and definite action by 1t in con-
nection with the rate war o being
waged in this State is sure to produce
results.
The Common Council will hold a pro-
test meeting tomorrow night. The
meeting will be held in the City Hall
and the public is invited.
County Meeting Called Here.
Mayor Haussling today sent to the
heads of the different municipalities
In Essex county an invitation to attend
a conference In the Council chamber on