New-York tribune., 1912-04-18
SHOWS WILSON'S MOTIVE
Letter from Railroad Head Urged
Grade Crossing Veto.
REVEALED BY AN EMPL0YE
De Forest Advised Governor to
Act as Hughes Did and
Gain Popularity.
rBy Telegraph TO Tho Tribune.

Trenton April l7-When Governor Wilson
vetoed the Pierce grade crossing bill. on
the ground that one of its features would
bring hopeless embarrassment to the rail-
way companies" some of his friends won
dered at his change of heart toward these
big corporations after the strenuous
speeches he had made on the stump in
favor Of the abolition of grade crossings
at the entire expense of the railroads.
There is a well authenticated story IN
circulation here however, which. il is held,
shows that Governor Wilson was inspired
by other reasons than those outlined I'm his
message disapprovipg the bill-reasons con-
tanned in a letter sent TO him by Robert
w de Forest, vice-president and general
counsel Of the Central Railroad Company Of
New Jersey. which became public through
the carelessness Of one Of the attaches IF
Governor Wilson's ofiict
This letter. it is understood. was dip,o-
matcally worded. but nevertheless couched
I'm terms which could not he misunderstood
by man Of Governor Wilson's mental cal
ibre. After urging that the Governor dis
approve the bill for many reasons-from a
railroad point Of VieN-it is understood that
the letter goes on to point out that the
situation was similar to that which exist
cd when Supreme Court Justice Hughes
was Governor Of New York and the two
cent fare bill was put on his desk for ac-
tion after having been passed by the Legis-
lature.
The New York Governors action I'm dis
approving tho two-cent fare I'LL is then
pointed out 10 Governor Wilson in the let
ter. with the statement that he earned
the plaudits Of the people by his action,
the intimation being. according to one Cf
those supposed to have seen the letter.
that the New Jersey Governor could attain
similar popularity with the railroad IN
terests If he disapproved the grade crossing
bill
The letter became public I'm peculiar
and significant way. When Governor VIII
sons message disapproving the Pierce grade
crossing bill was opened I'm the Senate The
De Forest letter was found I'm the envelope
also. Just how IT got there no one knows.
except one Of the Governors official family.
Thinking that perhaps it was sent 10 the
Senators for their Information, II Is said
that some Of the Senators read It and
were somewhat start Il at its contents It
has since been returned to the Governor.
II was asserted here to-day that up 10
the time Of recovering the De Forest letter
Governor Wilson was more or less friendly
to- the grade crossing bill. He had given
no intimation Of his intention 10 veto the
bill. neither did he send a message 10 the
Legislature outlining his views Of the elimi-
nation Of these dangerous crossings and
asking for their enactment into law. His
veto Of the bill created more or less Of 4
sensation in New Jersey, and, although the
Legislature adjourned without any definite
action on the subject it is held that the
bill has become a law. because the Gov
ernor sent his veto message 10 the Senate
instead Of to the Assembly, where the bill
originated 1t will probably be taken TO
the courts.