Bridgeton pioneer., 1915-04-01
REPUBLICANS
KEEP PLEDGES
Economy Bills Pass Des-
pite Office Holders.
OYSTER BILL OVER
Assembly Yesterday Passes Seven
of the Eight Economy and
Efficiency Bills.

Trenton, March 30-The Republican i
legislature yesterday consummated its !
pledge to the people of New Jersey, |
the Assembly passing seven of the
eight economy and efficiency bills,
abolishing long line of useless Off
ces and salaries, and provided for fu-
ture bureau government that will be
efficient and at great saving to the
taxpayers.
These bills have been hard fought.
The many who have long filled the
useless Offices and drawing fat salar-
les for doing nothing fought the pro-
gress of the bills with all the skill of
politicians desperate, but the legis-
lature would not be controlled and
the bills promised in the Republican
platform will shortly be up to the
Governor.
The bill affecting the oyster indus
try was laid over until Monday next,
through the efforts of Assemblyman
Sheppard
The characteristic of the more i'm
portant measures in the series is the
abolition of single-headed depart
ments and the substitution therefor of
i boards of directors and a chief execu-
tive officer to be appointed by the Gov
ernor Various consultations are al
81 provided for. 1t is estimated by
3 ti1e Republican leaders that the prac-
tical effect of the bills will be to ac-
,complish yearly saving of from
100000 to $150,000 in salaries and
the performance of work now largely
duplicated.
Majority Leader Runyon was the
principal spokesman for the bills. He
referred to them as the fulfillment of
party pledges. saying that much
thought had been given to their prep
aration and that the keeping of faith
with the public demanded their sup
port regardless of politics. He point
ed out that the House amendments
had been offered to meet the objec-
tions of Governor Fielder, who felt
that the chief executive should not
be retained as an ex-officio member
of the various commissions in such
manner as to compel his attendance
at meetings and a close attention 10
the details of the several departments.
AS amended the Governor has still a
voice in the affairs of any department
in event of a tie on the advisory
boards or 'directorates, but is not
charged with other duties.
Minority Leader Martin made an
unsuccessful attempt to have the first
bill amended in order to preserve the
status of the State Water Supply Com
mission for one year. The commits
sion has now under consideration i'm
portant water conservation projects
in both North and South Jersey, and
many interested municipalities had
petitioned the Legislature to permit
the continuance of this work undis-
turbed
Mr.. Martin succeeded in mastering
only 10 votes for his amendment,
while 80 were cast against it. On the
final vote the bill passed unanimously.
The measure creates a new Depart
ment of Conservation, embracing the
functions now devolving upon several
State departments.
Assemblyman Stevens tried to
amend the second bill creating De-
partment of Commerce and Navigation
and merging the Riparian, Inland Wa
terwavs. Ship Canal, Harbor and Pow
er Vessels Commissions. He was ruled
out of order and the bill was passed
unanimously.
The next two bills were put through
without difficulty. One of these trans
fers the engineering department OF
the State Board of Assessors and 9TH
Ter departments to the Public Utility
ICommission, and the other makes ii
mandatory upon local boards of health
Ito enforce the provisions of the State
Ipure food laws.
The Democrats concentrated their
fight against the fifth bill, which