The Penn's Grove record., 1916-03-17
LEGISLATURE is
KEEPING AT WORK
Progress Made in Disposing OF
Minor Bills
PUSH EFFORT TO ADJOURN
Road Question Still an UhsolVed
ProbIem-Gaunt Measure Probably
Doomed-Ecan Bill Proving ST.
100000 Bond Issue Suits Clubs.

Especial Trenton Correspondence
Trenton.-Although few measures of
Importance were acted upon, the Leg
islature made considerable progress in
d~isposing of minor bills, as many as
so measures being passed by the
House in a single day. The work,
Notwithstanding failure to bring up
important bills, was indicative of an
is desired by the leaders in both
branches. If the Appropriations Com
mittee can complete its work in time,
and there is no other unexpected
hitch, final adjournment is possible
on March %, though the following
week is considered more probable.
The road question is still one of the
big u~nsolved problems before the Leg
islature, and it is likely to remain SO
for another year at least. 1t is gen
orally conceded the Gaunt measures,
the most elaborate scheme for revis-
ing the road system which has beer
considered, are doomed to defeat.
Senator Egan's bill providing for a
$1,000, 900 road bond issue was in
dorsed during the week at a special
meeting OF the Associated Automo-
bile Clubs of New Jersey, at which
the Gaunt and Johnson measures, the
latter pending in the House, were
condemned. Apart from the opposi-
ton of the automobilists, political
questions are involved in the Gaunt
bills, which have aroused consider
able opposition, and which in them
selves are probably sufficient to bring
about it's defeat. One feature of the
Egan bill which is not entirely salts
factory to the motorists is it's failure
to make adequate provision for a main
tenance fund.
Labor Commissioner Veto.
The controversy between Governor
Fielder and Assemblyman Godfrey
yer the effect of the Godfrey meas
ure extending the term of Labor Com
missioner Lewis T. Bryant, of At
lantic City, has aroused interest in
the probably fate of the measure when
the passing it over the Governors
fCIO GOuCS up. II Is D0ll0V0u ludl
the House will not concur in the
veto, but the action of the Senate is
doubtful. With Senator Stevens, of
Cape May, absent, the Godfrey term
extender passed the Senate with bare
ly the II votes necessary. 1t is re-
called that last veal when a veto to
a similar bill was considered, Senator
Colgate voted to sustain the veto,
although he had voted for the meas
ure in the first instance. Should
Senator Colgate follow the same
course this year the passage or failure
of the term-extender might depend up
on the vote of Senator Stevens.
The Iobst Bible bill, requiring that
the Bible shall be read daily in the
public schools, is on the Senate calen-
dar for third reading. It's fate is
causing much speculation and not a lit
tie embarrassment. 1t is admitted
that the passage of the bill would be
displeasing to Catholics and Hebrews,
who have bitterly assailed the meas
ure. On the other hand, failure to
put the bill through would arouse the
ire Of the Jr @. U. A. M, also an
influential organization, which is spon-
soring the measure. To the several
Senators who are candidates for office
in the State at large next fall the
bill is, therefore, a matter of some
concern.