Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1910-03-16
UTILITIES BILL
UNDER HOT FIRE
BEFORE SENATE
Attempt to Hurry Wakelce
Measure Through Second
Reading ROuses Storm.
TFrom a stan Correspondents


TRENTON, March 16.-Mr. Wake
lees public utilities bill caused p fuss
in the Senate today. The trouble start
ed when the bill was called up on sec
ond reading and its introducer pre-
sented a minor amendment
Promptly from the Democratic side
of the chamber there issued a protest.
Messrs Gebhardt, Osborne. Fielder and
Silzer all took hand in the matter,
expressing in no uncertain terms their
objection to having the measure con-
sidered on second reading until they
are first permitted an opportunity to
offer amendments.
Senator Gebhardt became especially
vigorous in his denunciation OF what
he characterized as gag rule an6
made such direct and uncomplimentary
allusions to Mr.. Wakelee that President
Frelinghuysen declared him out OF
order three or four times
MY reputation is known all over the
State shouted Gebhardt. land so is
that Senator'sl'' pointing his finger at
WaAelee.
Gebhardt declared that he had grown
tired of the contemplate insinuations"
of the Bergen Senator. whose unfair
ness. he said. stood out in striking con-
trast to that of the other Republican
Senators. Gebhardts references to
WaKelee became so direct and unpleas-
ant that Mr. Prince appealed to the
president to declare him out of order,
Gebhardt, however, finished his speech,
after describing as untrue certain state
ments by Wakelee concerning the
minority's attitude on public utilities
legislation
Mr.. Osborne also exhibited a lot OF
spirit in his criticism of the second
reading of the measure at this time,
before we have had an opportunity to
thoroughly examine the most important
piece of legislation of the present ses-
sion.'
He called attention to the fact that
for several years the Republicans have
displayed no disposition to consider
public utilities legislation, and yet now,
after the bill has been in existence less
than twenty-four hours. they are de-
termined TO exercise undue haste in
passing il. He contended that the ac-
tion was open to both suspicion and
censure.
Wakelee at this point expressed the
opinion that there was no reason fol
DELAY because he did not intend to
favor any amendment submitted by the
minority.
This remark brought Senator Fielder
to his feet with the assertion that it
was evident ''the way had been creased
and that the bill would be slid through
as easily as possible" He reproached
Wakelee for insinuating that the DEM
ocrats could not possibly present an
amendment calculated to improve the
measure.
Senator Silzer expressed Indignation
that the rights of the people in the
several large counties represented by
Democratic members should be ignored
in such a manner. He used the terms
big stick and gag law" several
times in describing the attitude of the
majority and added, You've got 1t
nicely creased all right, but why not
do it decently 2?
The persistency of the Democratic
senators and the caustic character OF
their references to the proceedings
seemed to bring wakelee particularly
to his senses. He was calm and al
most pleasant in his manner when he