Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1910-06-08

The arrangement between President
Taft and the railroad officials, entered
into at Washington yesterday, has no
bearing upon the New Jersey troubles
that are so agitating the people today.
That arrangement only affects the
freight rates. Public clamor for official
action by the State authorities Is be-
cause of the proposed increase offpas-
senger tariffs.
Immediate relief is needed and Do
manded here.
1t can come only through special
session of the Legislature.
1t Is believed that Governor Fort ID
in favor of reconvening the law-makerA
but is waiting to be more fully adj
vised before acting.
Attorney-General Edmund Wilson,
who has been looking up the legal
status of the question, Is expected to
make his report to the Governor this
afternoon, and it is believed that the
chief executive will then act.
Governor Forts View.
The Governor. on March "a. when he
signed the public utilities bill. said.
among other things:
my own study of its provisions has
convinced me that it Is in many re-
spects an effective act. It certainly Is
a long step in advance. IfAdt did MOTH
ing else than give the commission
power to inquire into and expose un-
just exaction, and to inhibit unjust dis
ordinations as to rates and charges.
which 1t clearly does. it would be un-
fortunate if it should fail of. enactment.
But it does go farther, in that 1t
confers upon the Utilities Board, In
the strongest language possible, power
to compel safe and adequate service
by all utilities companies. Under this
power proper and safe car service can
be required. To be compelled to hang
up on straps should soon cease. The
commission has no power to fix rates
under this act, even upon complaint,
but 1t can investigate rates Con its own
motion), and examine witnesses and
let the public know the truth as to the
cost of furnishing gas, electric light,
telephone service and the like. Unrea-
sonable or excessive charges can be
exposed and upon the facts thus found
the people can be aroused to demand
legislative relief.
"Of course there observation-disclosures
in the bill. 1t should contain a rates
making clause giving the commission
power to fix rates upon complaint by q I
municipal board or a given number OF 4
citizens.
"I have never favored asrate-malin9 i
power on the initiative Of the commis-
sion. I so stated when candidate be-
fore the people, but I do emphatically
favor some rate-making power under
reasonable terms which will assure tho&
good faith of the demand upon the +
commission that rates be investigated
and fixed.
Fort Favors Action.
There is little doubt existing any
where in the State that Governor Fort
realizes the gravity of the situa-
ton, and will summon the members OF
the Legislature to the capital. and the
rumor is so persistent that it Is strong
ly hinted that the chief executive Is
now engaged in the preparation of q
special message suggesting the charac-
ter of the laws that should be enacted.
Present Legislators thoroughly
familiar with public utilities requires
ments. They fully discussed the ques-
tion during t. past session.
These lawmakers In special session
could take up and repass the public
utilities law with proper rate-making
clause In twenty-four hours.
1t is the consensus of opinion at the