Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1911-03-13

The tenth and probably the tell-tale
week of the session begins today, and
the State House is the scene OF more
political activity than usually marks
the opening or closing nights of the
session
Objections to Being Party Measure.
Here are a few reasons. which are
being urged here. why the Geran bill
by the Democrats:
l. Because the Democratic party of
the State does not want It.
3 Because the Wilson Record jokers,
in the guise OF reform, have been ex-
posed and q new deal of the cards Is
demanded.
3. Because the steering committee Is
not unanimous in its recommendations
that the Geran bill be made a party
measure.
4. Because the modified form desig-
mated as a proposed bill is merely no
Improvement on the original bill.
8. Because the Essex county assem-
blymen have shown good reason why
the bill should be amended. Hudson
county has Joined with Essex. and the
two counties constitute a majority Of
the Democratic membership of the
House.
Both the Essex and Hudson delega-
tions have in separate conferences
agreed to substitute bills in the franz
ing of which George L. Record had no
hand. They will be introduced at to-
days general conference These sub
stitute bills voice the sentiment of
majority of the assemblymen who con-
ferred with the governor last week.
The facts did not become known then.
because out of Difference TO the wishes
of the governor the conference was
held behind closed doors. The secret
conference was held despite the protest
of the press. Many of the assembly
men are now willing TO admit it was
blunder There will be a fight made
today to discuss the measure IN the
open.
Record Advises Governor.
George L. Record, 1t is understood.
has advised the governor against an
open conference. Record is an old
timer and sufficiently posted to stand
up and be heckled but he don't want
that to happen to the governor, who, it
is whispered around, was told by Rec
ord that he might be embarrassed il
questioned In public as to certain fea-
lures of the bill. There is no need for
the wasting of further time on secret
conferences, and the majority is of the
opinion that there should be a wide
open door at today's caucus.
The conference of the Essex members,
which was held at Democratic head
quarters, 772 Broad street, lasted more
than four hours and covered a general
discussion not only of the four bills
which Governor Wilson declares to be
most mportant-election reform. cor
rupt practises, public utilities and the
employers liability act.
At the very outset the Essex men
agreed to stand as a unit for the re-
demption of all the party platform
pledges. regardless of how long it may
take the present Legislature TO dispose
of them AS TO corrupt practises there
was no division of opinion as to unit
ing on the best bill obtainable. regard
less of which House it may originate
in.
On the employers liability a prefer
ence for the Ford bills rather than
Edge bill was expressed. hut If the
Ford features can be embodied in the
Edge bill the House majority viii not
oppose the latter because 1t had its ori-
gin on the Republican side of the cor
ridor. A for public utility legislation
the Assembly will insist on a measure
providing adequate rate-making pow
ers or nothing.
AS for the election reform measure
the Essex men decided to stand only
for bill that will redeem the party
platform pledges without DESTROYING
party organization. The details of
arranging the substitute were left to
a subcommittee consisting n Assem-
blymen Braclxen, MCGOWAN and Mylod,
who win report 70 the Esscx eleysn