The Pleasantville press. (Pleasantville, N.J.) 1912-1929, 1915-04-03
HOUSE PASSES ECONOMY
AND EFFICIENCY BILLS
Made Excellent Record During
Past Week in Redeeming Re-
publican Party Pledges.

ed records for the disposal OF blllS
this week, but it remained for the
House to place the most meritorious
effort to its credit when it passed
seven of the eight Economy and Eff
cheney bills Tuesday afternoon. The
only one of the series that was not
passed was No. z, which creates a
department. of shell fisheries, and this
was made the order of special bust
ness for next Monday night at 8 o.
clock.
The Democratic opposition melted
away soon after the first of the "E &
E" bills was moved Tuesday after
noon. With the exception of No. 5,
the labor bill, all of the bills were
passed without one negative vote,
which indicates that the Democrats
have seen the light since Minority
Leader Hennessy conducted such a
bitter fight against the bills at the
time they were passed by the Senate.
In view of the Democratic opposition
having been withdrawn in the House,
the opinion is generally expressed
that Governor Fielder will sign all
of these much discussed bills except
ing, perhaps, No. 5.
Majority House Leader Runyon, in
speaking for the bills, said that they
should be passed by the House re-
CARELESS of party politics as they rep
resented both the economy and effici-
ency sought for by the people of the
State, and for which both parties
were pledged in their platforms of
last fall. Mr.. Runyon stated that his
information was to the effect that
these bills, when operative would re-
suit in a saving of from 100000 to
$150,000 annually to the State and
this being a fact their passage was
greatly to be desired.
That the original Republican plat
form will be carried out as planned
at the opening of the session is as
sured by the results of this weeks
work. The bills that have been in
troduced in the fulfllment of the pied
ges in the party platform are all well
under way with every reason to be-
lieve that they will be passed. In
fact, many of the Republican pledges
have already been fulfilled as will be
noted as follows:
Woman's suffrage. Passed by both
Houses and signed by the governor.
Economy and Efficiency. Passed by
both Houses.
Reduction of expenses of institu-
ton. Joint resolution, No. 2, passed
both Houses.
More flexible method of amending
constitution. Senate concurrent res
olution passed both Houses.
To remedy evils of Civil Service.
Commission appointed to make inves-
tigation and suggest corrective legis-
lation.
To reduce the expenses of State
out in the Appropriations bill soon to
be reported for consideration.
Grade Crossings. This is provided
passed in the Senate.
ed for in Assembly Bill, No. 1872, now
pending in the House.
Reduction of exorbitant salaries.
Senate Bills II and Sc, which have
passed the Senate, provide for mater
ial reductions resulting in a saving
of IS 5000 annually.
was defeated, although 10 of the II
Republicans in the Senate voted for
it. Its defeat is not chargeable to
C1e RepuDllcdn parry.
Legislation in the interests of or
ganized labor. Many bills have been
passed carrying out this pledge, but
the chief act of the session has been
Senate Bill, No. 5, which was desired
by organized labor generally all over
tho State.
Creation of public markets. Bill
meeting this pledge has been passed
in the House and in addition there
are Senate Bills, No. SO, "a, and 30,
with the same intent.
Simplification of election laws. Nu-
merous bills have been introduced and
have been passed in both Houses, all
tending towards the improvement OF
the present complicated election laws
that are so generally Objectionable.
Home Rule, The Senate has pas
sed the Rathbun Bill and the Hutch
inson amendment and both measures
are now pending in the House.
The conservation of potable water
and. the development of State water
ways are met in the Economy and
Efficiency bills.
From this somewhat brief sum
mary it will be plainly seen that the
Republican majority has been work
ing hard and faithfully and to good
purpose ever since the session open
ed. That it has not rushed laws
through must be placed to its credit.
In addition to this schedule the APP
preparations committee has succeed
ed in averting a State tax and has
reduced the expenses of the govern
ment to such an extent that even the
present income Of the State will more
than meet the expenses in the future.
Ever since the announcement was
made last week that a State tax
would be averted, expressions of
commentator have been heard from
all parts of the State. Those who
voted for a return of a Republican
administration feel that their conf
dence was not misplaced.
In the grind this week, scores of
bills of greater or less Importance
have been passed in both Houses. In
the Senate the calendar has been pref
ty well cleaned up, but there is still
a raft of bills pending in the House.
49, --A