Milford chronicle., 1913-01-17
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.

Declares the Corporation Laws Of th'
State Stand VIGOROUSLY In Need o.
Alteration.
President-elect Woodrow Wilson, in
his capacity as governor of New Jer-
sey, sent his second annual message to
the legislature in Trenton, which has
Bonvened
1t was his last formal appeal to the
legislature for the completion OF the
program of progressive legislation for
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 hops
that New Jersey will ratify the con-
stitutional amendments providing for
a tax on incomes and the election OF
United States senators by direct vote
Of the people. The governors message
was written while the president elect |
was in Bermuda and constitutes his |
only political writing since the presi- |
dental election.
At the outset of the document there I
is personal note of regret at leaving |
New Jersey and an expression Of graf
ituGe 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 a legisla-
ture that is for the first time during
his administration Democratic in both
branches.
The corporation laws of the state
aotOriously stand in need of alteration,
the governor says. They are manifest
ly Inconsistent with the interests of
the people in the all-important matter
of monopoly. and as they stand, far
from checking monopoly. they actually
set its face against this method of
forming vast combinations and Great.
ing monopoly, Governor Wilson de-
clares.
y 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-
ion and provide, in addition, salutary !
hecks upon unwarranted and fictitious
Increases of capital.
No legitimate business will be injup-
ID or harmfully restricted by such ac-
ion These matters affect the honor /.
md good faith of the state and should
,e acted upon at once and with clear !.
purpose. :
After arguing that the state should =
,nact legislation to protect its people :
rom irresponsible persons who offer
or sale securities of every sort, the q
governor turned to the question OF
ury drawing =
Why has no legislature ever seri- -
usly and earnestly set itself to cor =
ect this condition." he asks. "The -
rawing of grand juries, and even =
pom occasion the drawing of petit "
nries, is notoriously subject to politi-
al influence and control in this state,
nd this can and should be remedied."