The Pleasantville press. (Pleasantville, N.J.) 1912-1929, 1915-02-13

edge of the situation and the existing
conditions have asked that Labor
Commissioner Bryant be retained be-
cause of his marked efficiency and
ability to conserve the interests of
all concerned.
Undoubtedly the Democrats would
have liked the Republican majority
TO ignore these requests in favor of
Col. Bryant and the Labor Depart
ment-they would have preferred to
see the bill consolidating the labor de-
partments go through as it was pre-
scented and then have the entire dis
gruntled population of the State
wreak its vengeance on the Republi-
can Party at the first offered oppor-
tunity. The Republican Party has
served the best interests of the people
in refusing to make any radical chan
ges in the State labor department and
this will be recognized generally in
spite Of the misrepresentation of the
Democratic press.
AS to the other seven economy and
efficiency bills, it is believed they will
all be passed. There may be some
minor changes, but nothing that will
affect the important changes and
sweeping economies they set forth.
Hearings took place this week on
bills to re-organize the water and
tax boards and hearings on the other
five bills of the economy and efficiency
series have been scheduled and come
along in order.
Monday night in the House almost
the entire evening session was oc-
cupied with the debate on Assembly
mar Peacock's bill to repeal the pres
ent automobile reciprocity law. The
rural members of the body supported
the bill. but the sea coast and North
Jersey representatives were solidly
against it causing it's defeat by a vote
Of Al to Il. The defeat of the Pea
cock bill was expected, but it was in
troduced at the wish of the farmers
and the votes recorded for it were
cast by assemblymen who had been
pledged to do so in their campaigns
last fall.
There was an important hearino on
the Morris Canal abandonment bills
Monday at which considerable oppo-
sition to the bills from Jersey City
was developed. In fact Jersey City
is unalterably opposed to the bills as
they now read although not opposed
to al abandonment plan. Judge Car
ey, speaking for Jersey City, said
that the State was simply giving the
Lehigh Valley Railroad millions of
dollars under the plan proposed. The
New Jersey State Chamber of Com
nerce approved of the bills as did
slso the City Of Newark and a num-
reg of other sections of the State.
Some concern was manifested by
property owners in the Lake Hopat-
cong district that the abandonment
If the canal would reduce the water
supply of the Lake and representa-
tives from that district requested
that suitable precautions be taken
against such a contingency. Other
discussions and hearings on the canal
bills are scheduled.
In the Senate this week the "Home
Rule" constitutional amendment in
PRODUCED by Senator Hutchinson of
Mercer vas up for third reading and
final passage but was recommitted to
the Judiciary Committee. 1t was {
thought to be too f~ar-reaching in the
powers delegated to the municipali-
ties by Senators Read of Camden and
Rathbun of Morris, who desired that
an opportunity be afforded for a pub
lie hearing before it was adopted.
Senator Gaunt's bill providing for
Federal agricultural extension and
cooperation vas passed Monday night
without opposition.
Senator Rathbun's bill %increasingl
the pay of jurors to $3.50 a day and
mileage was also passed in the SEN
ate this week. This bill was intro
duced in the interests of men living in
places remote from buildings where
court is held. These men Frequently
do jury duty at a financial loss. and
inasmuch as jury duty is compulsory
it was thought no more than common
Justice that there should be adequate
"ecompense.