The daily banner. (Cambridge, Md.) 1897-2008, 1913-01-15
CALLS HALT ON
n. J. TRUST LAWS
Wilson Asks Reform In His
Last Message
PEOPLE AGAINST MONOPOLY
Declares the Corporation Laws Of the
State Stand VIGOROUSLY In Need OF
Alteration.

Trenton, N. j., Jan. Is. - President
slect Woodrow Wilson, in his capacity
~ governor of New Jersey, sent his
second annual message to the legisla
ture which has convened.
1t was his last formal appeal to the
legislature for the completion of the
program of progressive legislation fol
which he declared himself when he
took office.
Foremost among the laws advocated
are radical revision of the statutes
governing corporations and better laws
in the matter of drawing juries. The
governor recommends the commission
form of government for cities, and
speaks strongly in favor Of economics
In the state administration.
In conclusion he expresses the hope
that New Jersey will ratify the con
stitutional amendments providing for
q tax on incomes and the election OF
United States senators by direct vote
Of the people. The governors message
was written while the president-e.ect
was In Bermuda and constitutes his
only political writing since the presi.
Dental election.
At the outset of the document there
Is a personal note of regret at leaving
New Jersey and an expression of graf.
itude and obligation to those who
stood by him In carrying out reforms.
Almost without preface, however, the
governor calls attention to the laxity
Of the states corporation laws. With
the hope that New Jersey shall never
again be called 'the mother of trusts, !"
the message is addressed to legisla
ture that is for the first time during
his administration Democratic in both
branches.
The corporation laws of the state
VIGOROUSLY stand in need of alteration
the governor says. They are manifest
~ inconsistent with the interests of
the people in the all-important matter
Of monopoly, and as they stand far
from checking monopoly, they actually
encourage it. The whole country has
set its face against this method of
forming vast combinations and Great
ing-monopoly, Governor Wilson de
clares.
Il am sure that the people of New
Jersey" he continues, "do not dissent
from the common judgment that our
law must prevent these things and pre-
vent them very effectually."
The governor says the statutes of
the state should be amended to pro-
vide some responsible official supervis.
ion of the whole process of incorpora-
ton and provide, in addition, salutary
checks upon unwarranted and fictitious
increases Of capital.
No legitimate business will be injur.
Cd or harmfully restricted by such &C
ton. These matters affect the honor
and good faith Of the state and should
be acted upon at once and with clear
purpose.
After arguing that the state should
enact legislation to protect its people
from irresponsible persons who offer
for sale securities of every sort, the
governor turned to the question OF
Jury drawing.
"Why has no legislature ever seri-
ously and earnestly set itself to cor
rect this condition." he asks. "The
drawing of grand juries, and even
upon occasion the drawing OF peti:
juries, is VIGOROUSLY subject to politi-
cal influence and control in this state,
and this can and should be remedied."