The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1911-02-27
COMING WEEK
 IN LEGISLATURE
Notable Incident Will Be Appearance Tomorrow of
 President Charles $. Mel len of New Haven R. R. Go.
Especial from United Press.)


 Hartford, Conn, Feb. T.-The com Hng week at the Capitol gave indica- lsions, today. of being 8 busy one. Much lanterest csntered in the appearance, tomorrow, of President Mellen of the Iryew Haven road before the judiciary committed. What President Mellen as head of the largest railroad sys- tenn in New England may say in sup port of his Court of Commerce bill is anxiously awaited.
 The act seeking the establishment of n court of commerce provides for the appointment by the govrnor ofan ad- ditional judge of the superior court justice of the supreme court of an- other judge of the superior court, to preside over the commerce court. The act defines the rights and duties of the public service corporations of their employees, and gives said commerce on the service of the corporations with full power to enforce its judg- ,nents. The corporations have the right of appeal to the supreme court of errors. ' Chairman Judson of the Judiciary committee is known as a strong advo- cate of a public utilities commission, also Representative Banks, house chair man of the committee. Whether Pres 1dent Meilen can convince the com 1rittee and legislature that his court of commerce idea Is superior to any other kind of utilities bill or public service commission is problematical. The opinion prevails among the law makers that on account of the numer- ous bill introduced there will be difh- culty and delay in adopting the prop CT measure for the regulation and su- lpervision of public service corporations, Agreeable to opposing interests.
 Several joint hearings have been eleid by the committees on Judiciary and Labor. on matters relating to rvorkmen's compensation and employ ers' liability. The ideas of advocates gensa ton act. differed widely. If the lcontending factions can come to some sort of agreement upon a bill which is "reasonable'' and "coustitutionaP', such a measure would receive the fa- tvorable report of the committees. The general opinion is that the committee [ will take nyo definite acton but will allow the matter to go over to the next General Assembly.
 The attitude of the Republican ,rnembers of the Legislature toward the snominations of Governor Baldwin was today more prominently discussed than at any time since the organiza- tion of the present General Assembly. The question of their cOnfirma tion or rrejection loomed forth as the rock on which the members of the majority would probably split. There are some Republicans who. convinced that it is the prerogative of a Governor to name such men for public office as he deems fit. feel that he should be supported, when his nominees are men of undis- puted ability. standing and talent. Other Republican members believe sthat Republicans should not be busted from office by a Democratic Governor if the Republican officials satisfactor- tiy performed the duties of the office. The coalition of the former class of Republicans and the substantial Dem- ocratic minority would insure the con- frmation of all Governor Baldwin s appointments.
 The criticism by Governor Baldwin of State Insurance Commissioner Mac
 donald. that the latter had committed c serious inpropriety in assuming an important part in the conduct of a political machine while head of State department. is regarded by many as endangerfng Macdonald's chances in fhe contest with the Governors nomi- nee. Burton Mansfield, of New Ha- wen.
 If the nominations to the State Rail- road Commission are confirmed of Theodore H. Ford of Bridgeport J. H. Hale of Glastonbury and Richard H. Higgins of Winsted. the commission