Perth Amboy evening news., 1911-05-05
NEW OPINION ON
SCHOOL TICKET
Assistant Attorney General
Going Into the New Utili-
ty Law Thoroughly.
REALIZES IMPORTANCE
Looks as If Thsre Weuld bs
Little Relief for Policemen
and fIremen.
REALIZES IMPORTANCE
Especial Correspondence.l J


Trenton, May 5:-If some Of the
public utilities of the state-rail-
roads and trolley nnes-are seeking
to make the new utility law as OBJ
noxious as possible by q literal in
depreciation of some of its provis-
ions, they are making a good start.
The recent ruling Of the trolley lines
that the sale OF reduced rate tick
cts for school children must be with
drawn has already aroused a storm
of protest on the part of the parents
of school children Throughout the
state. AS this follows the withdraw
al by the railroad companies of the
clerical orders, a lot of citizens are
talking about the unpleasant fea~
lures OF the new utility law
When seen yesterday afternoon at
the State House, Alfred n Barber,
secretary of the Public Utility Com
mission, said that the matter of re-
duced fares of all kinds, school tick
cts, clerical half rate tickets, excur-
sions for lodges and various organ
izations, had been referred to the Of
fee of the attorney general for an
opinion and Interpretation of the new
law.
Looking Up Legal Side.
Mr.. Barber said there was SO
much involved that It would be neo-
essary to have the legal side of the
matter looked up, In order that the
commission might not make an In
correct Interpretation of the law He
also said that 1t would be necessary
to determine exactly what might be
construed as unfair discrimination,
which is expressly forbidden by the
law. Mr.. Barber thought It would
take the attorney generals depart
ment several days to look up vari-
Gus opinions having a bearing on
the matters at issue, and to deter
mine Just what might be done In the
way OF granting special rates. II any
Nelson B. Gaskill, the assistant
attorney general, has received the
request of the Public Utility Com
mission, for an opinion relative to
the sale of reduced tickets for school
children, and 1t is receiving atten-
IN while the regular routine mat
ters OF the Office are being dispQSed
Of AanuSlffss@
In the opinion Mr. Gaskill gave
the other day, when the members of
the Public Utility Commission asked
II tRsy were permitted, under the
10 vs. " IAOS oA pdSotss hc 4uOtS4
from paragraph NJ -
stated that No public utility &.
hereinafter defined, shar. hereafter
give, grant or bestow upon any local..
municipal or county official, any dis
elimination, gratuity or free service
whatsoever. This cuts out all city
employees, and has been interpreted
10 include f1remen and policemen in
the excluded classes
Appreciates Importance
Assistant Attorney General Gas
Kill was seen yesterday afternoon
He said that he appreciated the i'm
portance OF the question of the sale
OF reduced rate tickets for school
children, and knew how for-reaching
1T was. Il am giving the matter
prompt consideration, and have al
ready done lot of research work in
connection with IL. / am aware of
the deep interest in the matter, and
VIII do my best to submit an opin-
ion at the earliest practicable mo-
ment"
The new law expressly provides
that no Increase in rates can be made
until the Public Utilities Commission
has determined that they are reason
able and just. The withdrawal OF
the school tickets might be consid-
cred In the nature of an increase.
Secretary Barber said yesterday that
the attorney generals opinion was
(Continued on page l0)