Five Mile Beach weekly journal., 1917-03-16
Especial correspondence

Especial COrfeSpOnuence.J
I Trenton. n. J., March 14.-Governor
Edge has signed four of the most i'm
portant measures passed by the legis-
lature this week, and the lawmaking
body will complete its work either
March % or %. A recess will then be
taken until about April 2, when the
preparation bills.
The governor. by affixing his sigma
lure to house bill No. 2, by Mr.. Oil
plant, and senate Nos. 2 and 3, by Mr..
McCran, completed the series of meas
ures desired for the $15,000,000 high
way system to be constructed by the
state. Widespread interest was Great
ed following the announcement that
General George w. Goethals, the ia
nous builder of the Panama canal,
would probably be selected as he en-
gineer for the operations to be car
ried on.
At the request of the executive, Gen
eral Goethals came to the s~tatehouse
this week and held a conference with
Governor Edge. Although no definite
statement was made, it is regarded as
certain that he will accept the appoint
ment as consulting highway engineer.
He will be in actual charge of all the
work. including plans and specifica-
lions and the testing of materials.
Other engineers will be selected to
carry out the details.
The formal acceptance of General
Goethals is expected following the or
ganization of the new commission to
be named by the governor. The ques-
ton of compensation has not been TAX
en- up as yet, but Governor Edge said
that 1t would be commensurate with
the services performed. He denied,
however, that it would reach $4,000
yearly. In addition to the highway
work, General Goethals will also be
the engineer on the proposed bridge to
connect Philadelphia and Camden, the
tunnel between New Jersey and New
York and improvements to the port of
New York.
approximately $50 0o, 900-wi1-he
spent on state improvements. In the
next few years by New Jersey, and the
move of Governor Edge to obtain the
services of General Goethals is gener-
ally regarded as a masterful stroke.
Highway Bills Signed.
The fourth important measure signed
by the governor was that imposing an
increased franchise tax on utility cor
porations with gross receipts of more
than $50, 900. This was one of the cam
paign issues, and the plan is to have
the graduated tax advanced until 1t to-
tails 5 per cent of the receipts. Only a
few of the administration measures re-
main to be taken up, and the indica-
tons are hat the session will establish
a record of enacting less than a hun
bred laws. The bills advocated by the
Fielder Home Rule Commission and
that for the reorganization of the Civil
Service Commission by increasing its
membership from foul to five will have
the support of the governor.
Recommendations for changes in the
corporation laws, as suggested by the
commission named for this purpose,
VIII nOI DE CdIIltu Oul. 0ONCiiOi 1oSS
said he did not advocate the eradica-
ton of the "seven sisters" corporation
statutes, but would lend his support to
the measures proposed by Senator Mac
kay. The Bergen senator would have
the provisions OF the Clayton federal
act Incorporated into the laws of this
state.
mi -.1-+.x-o cot1 %hic uoTld carVp
every purpose. as other states could
not be more liberal, excepting in Inter
state laws, and that most of the cor
porations sought interstate commerce.
New Jersey, he remarked, desires all
the revenue that can be legitimately
obtained from this source, but he
would not have any throwing down
of the bars TO bring stigma upon the
commonwealth.
Senator Osborne lost out in his at
tempt to have the '"Torrens' system
of lane registration made effective in
New Jersey.
Full Crew Law Repeal.
Following the longest session of the
house this year, that branch passed the
repeater for the full crew law intro
duced by Assemblyman Roberts of
Burlington. Taken up shortly before
IL o'clock Monday night, the bill occu-
pied the attention of the members until
almost / o'clock in the morning, when
it was finally passed by a vote of 81 to
%. Defeated last week by a ballot of
81 to "a, it was reconsidered after
some of the liveliest scurrying for
votes witnessed in the legislature for
several years.
Many of the old time leaders were
out, but they could not feel sure of
their tally until shortly before IL. The
measure was then brought up and was
the subject Of fiery debating. The Dem
ocrats were united in their opposition,
and seven Republicans Joined with
fham Nh vote was.