The Penn's Grove record., 1917-03-30
FRIDAY, MARCH 80, 1917
State News

Npiou measures WILL De ~lQCrOOuceU, ana
Senate President Gaunt and other Re
publican leaders said today it was not
the purpose to take up any of the bills
by some Of the members in each House
that failed last week. Pressure will un-
doubtedly be brought to bear, however,
whose pet bills failed to get through.
There is a feeling that if the Legislative
gates be opened again to general law
making there will be no closing them
until many of the trivial and unimport-
ant bills are handled again. This would
be against the policy of the Republican
majority which has all along stood for a
short and business-ike session. The
outlook, therefore, is that the final ses-
sion will be limited. Governor Edge
filed several bills in the Legislative
"morgue" in the State Library without
his approval this week, as the Legisla-
ture was not here to receive regular
vetoes. This kills these measures. 1t
was said today that there would likely
not be many vetoes to send to the two
Houses on Friday.
So critical is the international situa-
ton at Washington that the Legislature
will probably not adjourn sine die on
Friday afternoon or evening, as has
been intended. Congress will meet next
Monday at the special call of President
Wilson and will receive his message on
the question of war with Germany.
There is a feeling among the State lead
ers that the Legislature should not fin
ally adjourn until after Congress has
met and the country has heard from the
President. Wal is now regarded as al
most inevitable and should the develop
ments of nex Monday and Tuesday
show that hostilities are about to open,
there might be need of additional legis-
lation. At any rate, the probability is
that the Legislature will adjourn from
next Friday until next Tuesday, which
will mean sine die adjournment next
Tuesday or Wednesday.
At the request of Governor Edge and
Adjutant General Barber the Legislature
has already taken several preparedness
steps. so that it is not thought that this
State will have to take any further radi-
cal measures even if the United States
should become involved in war with Ger
many. Senate bill No. 30S, by Mr.. Nc
Gran, a broad preparedness measure,
has just been approved by Governor
Edge. who forwarded a copy of it to
Washington. 1t tenders the ~resources
of New Jersey to the United States
Government. without limit, in the i'm
pending crisis.
After the adjournment of the Legis-
iature at l o'clock last Saturday morn
ing. with its record practically made up.
Governor Edge issued a statement, say
ing. in part. as follows:
81 feel highly grati6ed with the net
results Of the 141st session. 1t has
been comparatively short for the great
amount Of work disposed of and abso-
lutely void of unusual disturbances or
friction. All the members seemed in
tent on accomplishing constructive re-
forms and did so, and. of course, with
out their loyal and sincere support and
corporation. the ultimate result must
have been quite different. The pledges
to the people made in the Republican
party platform have been enacted into
law. Some may require further broad
enins, but certainly everyone must ad-
nit great Roadway has been made in ev-
cry instance. The Inauguration of a
business government has become a
fact"
In a summary of the work of the SEES
sion, Governor Edge states that the five
big accomplishments. as urged by him in
his inaugural address, were achieved.
including a State Highway System and
reorganization of the Road Department;
a decided measure of home rule for
municipalities; increased franchise tax
ON nUh1ia rfil;+u o0uDousoao. e.-4Lu-
consolidation of State departments and
practical solution of the State Prison
and institutional problems. The Gov
ernor says a large number of other rec
concentrations, for the accomplishment
OF which he fixed no definite time in his
message, have been carried out during
the brief life of the administration not
yet three months old. Besides these five
big accomplishments" Governor Edge
refers to a number of other important
measures that were enacted, as fol-
lows:
Solution Of economic problems sought
by the creation of the Commission to
probe the high cost of living; "seven sis
tiers" corporation laws changed to con-
form to the Federal Clayton law, so that
corporations will again be attracted to
New Jersey without letting down the
bars to corporate monopoly; compulsory
employers liability insurance provided;
complete reorganization and strengthen
ing Of the Civil Service; survey of all
State pensions provided; several mill
tary preparedness measures adopted;
equalization of taxes as between coun-
ties. as well as between small districts;
provision for a South Jersey State Nor
NAL School; Hudson River tunnel pro-
Jeet revived; development of the port
OF New York and encouragement of
marine terminals taken up; initial step
taken for the ship canal across New
Jersey; with an appropriation of ST.
100000 to acquire the right of way when
the Federal Government actually moves
for the construction of the waterway;
organization of public school buildings
as community centers for advancement
OF agriculture; increase of fees for mot
or trucks. thu giving more monev for