Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1912-03-28
GOV. VETOEs TUNNEL BILL,

rneceSSlty for such action, Governor
Wilson Monday sent in veto to Sena-
tor Gaunt's 50-year franchise bill, the
measure that had been strongly ad-
vocated by the promoters of a Della
ware River tunnel between Camden
and Philadelphia, by South Jersey su-
burbanites generally and many farm
ers. Under the 20-year franchise law
passed during the strong agitation on
! the subject a few years ago, it was
claimed that utility companies declin-
! ed to make extensions because of the
limit placed upon their franchises.
The Governor reviewed this situation
forcibly and expressed the opinion
that the tunnel proposition should
have been reached by more direct
and satisfactory method than by re-
pealing an act which seemed so pro-
gressive and SO much desired by a
large number of people of the State.
The Governor in his message said:
This act deals with one of the
most difficult and perplexing subjects
now connected with the administra-
ton of government. The existing law
of the State, limiting to 20 years the
period for which franchises may be
granted to public service corporations,
| is unquestionably most unsatisfactory.
The period is so short that it is sell
dom worth the while of investors of
money to embark upon expensive en-
lterprises of that kind. In certain To-
calities the term may be extended to
40 years, if the proposal be ratified
by a vote of the people of the munich
pality, but this referendum seldom, if
ever, has been made use of, and there
is everywhere a feeling that the law
of the State should be thoughtfully
reconsidered, and that at a very early
date.
"The situation in the southern por-
ton of New Jersey is particularly un-
satisfactory. In the northern portion
the people are reasonably well pro-
vided with means of transportation,
but in the southern part of the state
settlement and expansion and the con-
yeyance of produce from the. farm Isl
seriously hampered and restricted by
the lack of trolley lines and other
/ facilities of ntercommunication. It isl
situation which ought to be relieved
at once. There is, in particular, a
pressing necessity that favorable
terms of investment should be made
at as early a date as possible be con-
lstructed under the Delaware River be
tween Camden and Philadelphia Such
means of communication between The
| two eities has become simpeeatiS ely
necessary, but it is out of the qlles-
ton, in view of the immense cost of
the enterprise, so long as only a 20
year franchise can be granted.
But, inasmuch as under the Consti-
tuition of the State, local relief in mat
ters of this kind cannot be afforded,
and every act must be of general ap-
plication and emIbody a general and
universal policy, it is imperative that
the measure adopted should be suited
for permanent use, rather than wear
the character of temporary accommo-
dation. Everywhere that this ques-
ton of public service franchises is
being literally dealt with, in the light
of general experience it is being rec
ognized that no fixed period for such
franchises can wisely be established.
The period must differ according to
circumstances, according to the un-
dertaking, according to a great var
iety of conditions which it is impos-
sible to foresee in a general statute
or provide for beforehand.
Where public service enterprises
are going forward with the least en-
barrassment and with the greatest
energy, it has been found that sys-
tenn of indeterminate franchises is
1.-THE only system that can be called a
system at all. That system grants
franchises to be enjoyed so long as
adequate and satisfactory service is
rendered with an option of purchase
by the State or the municipality at the
end of a stated period of years at an
indefinite assessed valuation. 1t is
elastic, it is permanent, it is fitted to
an infinite variety of local conditions,
and yet it safeguards the public
against abuse of long-term contracts,
which cannot be altered or violated,
and which leaves the public service
corporations free to do much as they
please.
"The most pressing need of South
Jersey could have been met by
statute providing special terms for
tunnel franchises. To attempt to
remedy the present law fixing at
guess another maximum period in
place of the 20-year guess is not to
move forward at all, but to stumble
along according to the same archaic
system which now embarrasses us
and our public enterprises. Relief
must be found, but surely this is not
the way to find it. 1t is neither suit
ed to permanent investment nor to the
adequate and constant protection OF
the public. It is to run great risF
without any adequate compensating
benefit.
aOne of the features of this bill
most to be regretted is that it en-
tirely discards the safeguard of the
present law, which consists in the
necessity of referendum to the peo-
pie in case of all long-te franchises.
Much as rgret standing in the way
of any pressing necessity, it seems to
me to be my duty to utter my strong
dissent to legislation of this demon-
strably dangerous and unsatisfactory
kind.
-ss --
- A. Cath.