Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1915-01-04
Gas CASE TOPIC
OF THE MAYORS
IN SESSION HERE
Chief Executives of Many Cities
Are the Guests of Mr..
Raymond.

The recent decision of the courts
setting aside the rate for gas, was
the subject of discussion to-
day at a conference of mayors held
in the office of Mayor Raymond in the
City Hall. The question was argued
by George L. Record, who represented
Passaic and Paterson in its fight for
cheaper gas. He declared legislation
will be necessary to bring about the
proper taxation of franchises and de-
clared efforts would be made at the
coming session of the Legislature tc
to get through the needed laws.
Among the mayors who responded
to the invitation of Mayor Raymond
to attend the conference were the
following: Mayor Robert H. Fordyce,
of Paterson; Mayor Mark a. Pagan,
of Jersey City; Mayor Martin Cooke,
of Hoboken; Mayor Frederick w.
Donnelly, of Trenton. and Mayor
George N. Seger, of Passaic
Mayor Seger was made chairman
Of the conference. and, after a few
Introductory remarks, presented Mr..
Record.
Mr.. Records Address.
Mr.. Record declared that the gas
case" as it has been called, will, in
all probability, go to the United
States Supreme Court in the event
Passaic wins the fight.
What was needed Mr.. Record said,
was scheme in New Jersey similar
to the one now in vogue in New
York relative to the taxation of fran
chiSes.
There is" Mr.. Record said, "a
central body which fixes the valua-
tion of franchises and apportions the
tax among the various municipalities.
1t would be a big source of revenue.
What must be done, and done this
year" said Mr. Record, 'is a bill that
will give the municipalities this
proper and needed relief We must
decide on that bill now, and all get
behind it."
Mr.. Record pointed out that there
was precedent for the taxation of
franchises in the case of railroads,
all of which have taxes assessed on
their franchises.
Mr.. Record deplored the fact that
city could not complain of alleged
abuses by such corporations as he
declared the New Jersey municipali-
ties are subjected by utility corpo-
rations. A city cannot complain to
the courts, he said. but an aggrieved
citizen may. He thought that city
should have the same right, since the
city itself is consumer. He urged
legislation to remedy that defect
Speaking of Paterson, Mayor For
dyce said that since the fight for
cheaper gas had begun Paterson ami
Passaic has stood the expense OF the
litigation. Any good that has come
from that legislation has. also been
enjoyed by the other Municipalities
throughout the State, he pointed out.
For that reason, Mayor Fordyce
thought the other municipalities
should give some financial assistance
in further litigation that viii be nee
essary. The same idea was presented
by Mayor Seger, who said that Pas
sale had expended more than $4,000 in
the fight for cheaper gas.
All the mayors present agreed that
each city should pay certain portion
of the expense incurred, the amount
of each to be determined later.
The next conference will be held. In
Mayor Raymond's office, in the City
Hall, Friday, January Is, at II O'Clock.
All the mayors of all the first and
class cities in New Jersey
that are served by Public Service. al
well as all the presiding officers of
the various boards of freeholders
throughout New Jersey, will be in
vited.
The purpose of the conference. as
outlined by Mr.. Record In drafting
the CIRCULAR letter to be sent out, will
be to endeavor to agree upon legisla-
ton providing for the proper taxation
of public utility franchises, and for
such other legislation concerning pub
lie utility franchises as may be
deemed necessary. The circular letter
also points out that such legislation,
If successful, would naturally mean
an increase in the tax ratables and
income of the municipalities.