Newark evening star and Newark advertiser., 1910-06-20

don't know what his program is, but
q seems to me to be a rather important
dctafl at this time. Our commission Is
composed of three members, and can
not forecast what will be done with the
commuters grievances. but l am look
ing for some developments at the regu-
lar meeting tomorrow morning.
Increase Hurts New Jersey.
New Jersey is receiving black eye
because of the cry that the announced
increase in the railroad rates precipi-
tated. The commuter population In
the State is a desirable one, and the
action of the railroads has caused
big loss to the people of New Jersey
Prospective commuters have taken up
residences in Long Island, Staten ISL
and and elsewhere rather than to take
a chance on coming to New Jersey to
be subjected to railroad extortion.
An irreparable damage has already
been done, and the people should awake
to the necessity of correcting the evils
ns much and as soon as they can. II
the Legislature had enacted a drastic
public utilities law In the first instance
all this damage would have been avert
ed. The railroads could not have Ar
bitrarily announced their intention TO
increase the rates. Figuring upon the
basis of 100000 commuters In New Jer-
sey the railroad increase would mean
that the people would be relieved or
about $4,000 more for every business
day.
What Martin Says.
William P Martin, speaking Of the
present crisis, said:
'It is nonsense to say that this is
matter wholly for Interstate Commerce
Commission consideration. Your train
from Newark or the Oranges. or Bloom
field or Montclair. doesn't go to an
other State. You are carried from yo'ir
home to Jersey City. This Is matter
that involves New Jersey and New
Jersey citizens alone, q question of the
rate of fare from New Jersey stations
to Jersey City and Hoboken.
HAD the Legislature passed genu-
inc public utilities. law in 1908 or In
1909 or in 1910 there would be no
crisis. A public utilities commission
would simply make the railroads sell
their communication tickets to Jersey
City and then would proceed to fix
just and reasonable rate of fare to
and from that point.
"It is impossible now to get the rail-
roads to sell O Communication ticket TO
Jersey City. They are lodging around
the weakness of the New Jersey law"
Senator George S. Silzer, of Middle
sex. one of the Democratic minority In
the Senate who has made a gallant
fight for years to get legislation that
would have saved the present situ-
alton, said yesterday that he still hoped
fer action on the part of Governor
Fort. 1t is interesting to recall an In
terview with Senator Silzer. published
three months ago, when. the public
utilities law which goes into effact ne xt
month was before Governor Fort
awaiting his approval. Asked at that
time II Governor Fort. in his estima-
tion, would sign the bill, Senator Sill
xer said.
"The Governor in his public an
nouncements has strongly advocated
an effective bin He Is a good law
yer and when he reads this bill he
will see at once how empty and yet
how dangerous 1t Is. He will also
know that others will see 1t.
He will also see that no sophistry
or fine-spun argument will deceive the
people. lie Will dibO see tildt Ny Oiio
stroke of his pen he would wipe out
the reputation he has gained for inde-
rendence / believe he will rise above
caucuses. party. corporation or boss in
fluence and veto the bill. II he doesn't
shall be most disappointed, for 1t Is
now In his power to give to the people
an effective utilities bill
III he presented a vigorous veto.
pointing out the weakness and danger
OF this bill. and pointing out clearly the
way, his party would not dare face the
people OF the State without enacting
proper law.
THE Governor has an opportunity
that comes to few men,"
Fort in Trenton.
Governor Fort will be In Trenton
tomorrow and he will no doubt confer
with the State Railroad Commission
and the attorney-general as to the
course to be mapped out for continu-
ing the commuters fight.