Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1910-03-08
RESENT
SENATES DELAY
IN PHONE PROBE
Whole State Joins in Outcry
Against Committees Dila-
tory Tactics.
BELIEVE "INFLUENCE' OF
MONOPOLY IS AT WORK
Chairman Ackerman, Too Sick
for Hearing. Attends Ses-
sion of Upper House.

Failure of the Senate judiciary COM
mittee to complete the projected psobe
Of the telephone monopoly at Trenton
last night has reused the wrath of the
people of the whole State. and. as
ugly rumors concerning
the powerful influences that have
been exerted by the billion dollar trust
are in the political atmosphere
Revelations more startling than any
the EVENING sTAT, las SO far ex-
posed in the telephone scandais; are ex-
pected if the attempt thai has been
made TO xiii the legislative inquiry
should be effectively continued The
lawmakers we're warned at the outset
that the telephone people would resort
to any method, questionable OF other
wise. to block the peoples fight. and it
begins to look as if the time had ar
rived for the public to pull IN the slack
in the telephone reins.
1t was thought the Senate COM
nittee would concur in the House coa.-
mittee's recommendation to investi-
gate the trust. That action was looked
for last night, too. Anxiously the pub
lie waited, but there was nothing do
ing. Tine silk stocking committee dil
not dare submit d report to sidetraca
the inquiry that is bound to be held.
The members realized only too We'll
that public sentiment against the OF
pressive monopoly is Too strong TO per-
nit of any report favorable to the tele-
phone people, SO it WAS decided u
again delay action
Twice before the delay course was
taken, but the members had assured
the public that something definite
might be expected last night il WAS
natural, therefore, To have the coEs-
mittees motives criticised. F,rtiae-
consideration OF the teleptone sapjee-
seemed such a fliTnsy excuse Ior ad
ditional delay. and fns chairnla...
Senator Ernest Il, Acnerinan, wa
Obliged to shoulder the blame. Illness
he declared, prevented lin from doing
his duty, when, as a matter OF fact. ne
was perhaps the bus.est legislator Q
them all during the afternoon COM
mittee hearing. the night session OF the
Senate, and had attended To his bus.
ness III New York Ia the inor1ing. as
usual.
Acltermau Explains.
1T was impossible ior US y take u,
the Gebhardt resolution calling for a.
investigation CT teiepnone rates a4id
alleged Discrimination. said senator
Ackerman last night.
Il am aware l stated that the COM
mittee would consider the matter this
afternoon, but we coula not do So.
am ILL., | nave an osteopatn waiting
outside now to put me to bed
oughtnt to have come here tonight.
when viii the Senate Judiciary COM
mittee act?" was asked.
Il cannot say was the Senator's re-
ply, I'VE are considering it, considering
it very carefully"
So far there is not a step of progress
in the Senate. That conservative body
seems disposed TO move slowly. very
slowly Mr.. Ackerman has said for
the last ten days that the COMMITTEES
was considering the matter. and has
twice set dates upon which action
might be expected. Senator James T.
Fielder. of Hudson. one of the three
members of the committee. has declared
himself in favor of an Investigation Of
facts, as has been demanded by The
EVENING STAR and shown TO be nee
essary by Frank II. Sommer.
If Mr. Ackerman wants to see some
action. he has it in his power to bring
it about without a moments delay. He
and Senator Fielder constitute a major
ity of the committee 20 that the fate
of the telephone investigation so far as
the Senate can control it rests with
him. 1t is not to be expected that Sen
ator Edmund W. Wakelee, OF Bergen,
the other member of the COMMITTEES,
would vote for reporting the resolution.
Senator Wakelee has been accused Of
being a champion of the telephone
trust His law firm wrecked a com
petitor to the trust in Huntington, W
Va, and in more ways than one the
Bergen county senator has shown his
affectionate regard for the telephone
monopoly. Ever since the agitation
was first started by the EVENING
STAR TO compel the Legislature 10
correct the telephone evils throughout
the State Mr.. Walseiee has played the
role of lobbyist for the trust When
the joint committee showed a deter
mination to recommend an inyestiga-
tion Wakelee admitted the trust had
been convicted. but urged that relief
be sought in the courts.
Generally, il WAS thought that Wake
lee alone was the telephone protector
at Trenton. The attitude last night OF
Senator Ackerman, who Is the ma
jority leader in the Senate. as well as
the chairman of the judiciary commit
tee. indicates that the Union county
senator is rivaling the Bergen senator
in getting into favor with the telephone
people. His excuse that illness prevent
ed the committee from considering the
telephone subject last night is deed
worthy of recognition by the telephone
people, for il was about the only ex-
cuse left Tor the committees failure to
show its hand
Senator Ackerman is recognized as a
millionaire. 1t was thought that in
politics he was inclined to be independ-
ent and free from the corporation yoke.
Because of these things the people be-
lieved that their interests would be
properly protected when In the hands
OF the Senate committee regardless Of
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