Perth Amboy evening news. [volume] (Perth Amboy, N.J.) 1903-1959, 1915-03-09
READ TRIES TO
D0UBLE-CR0SS
CITY IN SENATE
Public Utility Bill Not Reported
Yesterday but Was This
i, Morning-Promised to Give
: City Hearing, but Did Not.

Evidence that Senator William T.
Read, of Camden, had attempted to
double-cross the city of Perth Am
boy and others to favor private cor
porations came to light here today,
when it was stated that he mad
brought up senate bill No. 232 In
the legislature this morning. City
Attorney Andrew j. Wight was in
troduced to the Camden senator by
Senator William E. Ramsay at Tren-
ton yesterday. Bill No. 232 was not
reported upon at that ti.le. Mr..
Wight states that Mr.. Read promised
to give the city hearing on the pub
lie utility bills before they were put
up for their next readings. To the
city attorneys surprise came mes
sage from Senator Ramsay this
morning, stating that bill No. 232
was brought out. A small army was
mustered together to make flying
trip to Trenton to oppose passage OF
the measure, but this action sas
halted when another message was
received from DR.. Ramsay, stating
that he would look after the city's
interests today.
Senate bill No. 232 is one of the
utility bills to which number of
municipalities, including this city
and Woodbridge, are opposed to.
This particular onf, which Is one of
those introduced by Senator Read
by request, would give the Board of
Public Utility Commissioners almost
unlimited powers in dealing with
public utilities In all municipalities
In the state, excepting cities of the
first class If passed, the utility
commissioners would assume charge
Of and control over the city's water
works, the municipal lighting propo-
sition together with sewer, water and
other lines, 1t is claimed.
"a Opposed by Woodbridge.
Senate bills Nos. 1879, 232 and 233,
introduced by Mr.. Read by request.
were first opposed by the Township
of Woodbridge because 1t was claim
ed that they would serve to benefit
the Public Service Railway Company
with respect to connecting fast line
trolley track with the regular street
trolley system at Sewaren. The
Woodbridge authorities took imme-
dfate action to request senator's and
assemk 'ymen to oppose those meas
ures and made arrangements, to be
informed of the introduction oil SINH
lar bills. The Board of Aldermen,
OF this city, took somewhat similar
action, with the result that City At
torney Wight kept a careful watch
On the legislative proceedings. 1t was
expected that bill No. 232 would
come out for a third reading yester-
day. Mr.. Wight was on hand at that
time to represent the city.
When Chairman Read, of the ju-
dietary committee, which has charge
of the bill, informed Mr.. Wight that
he would give the city opportunity
TO be heard on this and other public
utility measures, the city attorney
took his word. He did not return
to Trenton today, little expecting
that the bill would be brought out
this morning.
When Senator Ramsay first called
up Mr.. Wight from Trenton, he
deemed 1t important that this city be
represented as soon as 1t was possi-
Bile. 1t was then impossible to get a
train until noon from Metuchen In
the meantime word was spread
among the aldermen, who together
with the mayor and city attorney,
had planned to hurry to Trenton. A
second message from Dr. Ramsay
caused the trip to be called off. 1t
is believed here by some members of
the legal fraternity that the bill will
pass In the senate. Senators Read
Rathbun and Hennessy comprise the
Judiciary committee in charge.