Perth Amboy evening news., 1912-02-12
BIG MEASURES
NOT YET READY
Fifth Week Of Legislature Will
Open Tomorrow, When Acti-
witty Will be Resumed.
MANY HEARINGS HELD
Republicans Cannot Agree on
Congressional Re-District-
ing Bill Jury Reform Delay
(From tAe NEWs cerrsspordent.l

fFrons the NEWS CorrsspordentJ
Trenton, Feb. 12:--With five
weeks of the legislative session gone
and none of the big propositions yet
ready for action, the lawmakers will
get down to harder work than ever
this week in order to clear the way
for an eleven weeks session by final
adjournment March ~. The pro-
gram this week will probably ad-
which has preceded 1t since the
opening January 8.
While none of the big bills are
ready for definite action this week,
the many committee meetings that
have been held and the animated
public hearings have given the iegis-
lators crystalIized information on
the measures which will mean steady
advance when the big bills are re-
ported.
The legislature will observe Lin
coins birthday and on this account
the usual Monday night session Will
be omitted tonight The Senate will
meet at II o'clock tomorrow morn
ing and the Assembly will devote to-
morrow to committee meetings and
hearings, beginning its law making
labors at o'clock tomorrow after
noon. The Assembly passed about a
dozen minor bills last Tuesday and
Wednesday which will be sent to the
Senate tomorrow and referred TO
committees, Likewise, a number Of
bills have been passed by the Senate
which are ready for the Assembly.
Quite a number of measures are on
second reading in the two houses
and these will come up for final ae-
tian tomorrow.
No Congressional District Htll.
1 owing ID the faak th6k ta@
| lean aeadeEa sAye q
compieta d saiisfn fnoif;oif:y dra94 EEl
congressional re-distrfctfnx bfIr uxSs
vfding for the two new congress men
this measure has not yet appeared
With only five weeks of the session
remaining after this one, it ia very
likely this important bill. the big
gest political measure OF the session
In fact, will make its appearance
this week. 1t Is understood that the
draft of the bill Is nearly ready. 1t
will, it is said, Leave the First, Sec
ond, Third and Fourth districts un-
touched. Warren county will be cut
from the Fifth District, leaving this
district to be composed of Union and
Morris counties, which have an ag-
gregate population OF 214,901, or
sufficiently close to the new govern
ment ratio of 211,431
The present Sixth District, COM
posed of Bergen. Passaie and Sussex
counties, will be dismembered. 1t Is
said to be the Republican plan to
construct a new sixth district of
Bergen, Warren, Sussex and that
portion OF Passaic county north of
the narrow neck Of Pompton Lakes,
which includes Pompton township,
West Milford township and Pompten
Lakes borough. This would make a
district containing Q population of
215,Q41.
A new district Is to be made Of
that portion OF Passaic county re-
naming, which with have a popula-
|tion of 208,831. The remaining five
districts are to be formed of Essex
and Hudson counties, which have q
combined population of 1,050,117,
so that the division. IL equitably
made. will place 210,000 voters in
each district.
Grade Crossing Removal.
Material progress was made last
week in the move for grade crossing
removal, and the attitude OF the rail-
road companies In opposition to the
Pierce bill was more fully brought
out. 1t Is expected that the bill will
be amended somewhat before Sena-
tor Pierce,s committee reports, and
then the contest to get 1t enacted
will be begun.
Among the bills ON second reading
in the Assembly ready for final
passage are the two by Senator Edge
providing for the cure OF the dust
evil In factories and requiring safety
devices on all machinery in indus
trial plants
Little has been heard OF Jury re-
form the past week or so. although
both parties are pledged to enact
legislation on this question. The
Leavitt bill, providing for the draw
ing of juries by the Supreme Court
justice, the county Judge and the
sheriff as a jury commission, has not
yet been reported by the Municipal
Corporation Committee. The bill
being backed by Sheriff Wedin, OF
Hudson county, and introduced by
Assemblyman Egan, OF Hudson. is
likewise sleeping III committee. This
permits the sheriff TO select the
grand Jury roster and also the grand
jury. the latter to be under the
direction OF the court.
Automobile reciprocity. Morris
canal abandonment. the bills against
the new school laws, the Pierce bill
reorganizing the taxing system of
the state and the bills amending the
election and corrupt practices lava
are among those which will occupy
the attention OF the lawmakers this
week. The radical road measures OIL
Senator Gaunt Involving q bond is
sue OF $10,000 600. will probably be
the subject OF conference among the
Republican senator's 1t Is believed
the decision will be against this
proposition and II favor of some
such state road plan as IA proposed
In the bills of AsseanhlyEnan Hhyee.
81 Camden