The Penn's Grove record., 1913-03-21
NUMBER Al.
State Architect Bill.

Another bill calling for reorgaRza
ton of a State department was put in
and will also raise a storm of protest
before it gets very far. 1t provides
for practically an entire change in the
method of conducting the work of the
State architect, whose title and posi-
ton now exist at present only by
courtesy, and whose power and au-
thority are so limited that the work
of the State which should be done
under his control is constantly suffer
ing.
Still another measure which is like
ly to give the members of the Legis-
lature no little trouble is that provid-
ing for a change in the manner of
handling the pension funds of police
departments in cities of the first class.
There has already grown up around it
a big storm in the police departments
themselves, and it is likely that a new
bill will be introduced as the only
means of sitting the opposition to the
present one on the part of most of the
superior officers.
Anti-loan shark legislation is an
other of the important things which is
likely to come to the fore and to &C.
cupy an important place on the stage
until the close of the session. A bill
introduced by Assemblyman Martin, of
Hudson County, and passed by the
House, has evoked sharp criticism
from the interests which desire to
have some State regulation of the
swindling money lenders who deal
with poor people and in small sums
and charge outrageous sums for in
terest and so-called services" 1t is
declared that the Martin bill is pat
termed after the Maryland loan shark
law, which is characterized by those
familiar with similar legislation in
other States as the worst law of it's
kind in the country. The usurious
money lenders are entirely satisfied
with the bill, which does little more
than to legalize the excessive charges
which they now make for loans.
Unless suitable amendments can be
obtained in the Senate a new bill Will
be introduced and it's passage sought.
Il is desired to provide for regulation
Of the loan sharks by placing them
under the supervision of the State
Banking and Insurance Commissioner
sc that in the event of violations 0t
the law there a be adequate prose-
cutlon. The present situation is that
they are under no regulation and can
apparently be proceeded against only
under the disorderly house section of
the criminal laws of the State, under
which it is difficult to obtain a con-
Yiction. The matter will not be al
lowed to rest, and if suitable legisls
ticn is ret obtained this year a strong
permanent organization will be formed
to carry on the fight until the loan
sharks are either properly regulated
and confined within bounds which will
prevent continuance of their swindl-
ing operations, or are entirely driven
out of business. Many business and
professional men in Newark, Jersey
City and populous sections of the city
have recently become interested in
the matter and will lend their moral
and financial support tt any future
work which may be necessary to ac-
complish the desired end. The serv-
ices of an expert of the Russell Sage
foundation have also been actively en-
listed, that organization being repre-
scented by a man who has followed the
course of a~nti-loan shark legislation
in every State where it has been an
issue, as we'll as in Congress.