The sun., 1919-01-22
THE TWO STATE TREATY.
Views on the Referendum for the
Metropolitan District.

To THE EDITOR or THE SuN-ST: Tho
meeting held last Saturday In the City
Hall at Newark to consider the pro-
visions contained IN the tentative treaty
prepared by the New York-New Jersey
Port and Harbor Commission. the text
Of which has been widely discussed by
the leading newspapers OF this State and
in Greater New York. gave conclusive
evidence that general approval will be
given in New Jersey to the project TO
make the twin State commission a per-
ranent body. with ample power and au-
thority to perform real service, not only
to the port Of New York. but to every
Industrial worker in the country.
Criticism OF the tentative provisions
was entirely friendly and largely con-
fined to Article VI. which prescr!bes the
methods to be adopted In formulating
the rules and regulations Under this
article. as set forth in the printed copies
Of the treaty submitted by the twin state
commission, Il is required that tw
thirds vote Of the people living in the
district or zone 10 be included in what
the treaty designates as the metropolitan
district. shall be necessary before these
rules ard regulations shall become legal
and binding.
Repre- sentatives OF the Newark Board
OF Trade present Mt that meeting ex-
pressed the fear that the preponderating
population Of New York city would place
II In position to cast the decisive vote
In such referendum. No alternative
suggestion. W. made TO meet this view,
Htsl
pressed themselves ready to make such
amendments az might he submitted,
provided the general principles cmbod-
led in Article VI be retained.
on the face OF i. this criticism Is
purely sectional and contrary to the
whole spirit and purpose OF the twin
state commissions proposed treaty,
The twin State commission is formed
Of six men. each State having three. ap-
pointed by the respective Governors OF
the two states. The commlss toner's serve
without remuneration and therefore are
not political appointees, Only men of
wide experience should accept such
appointments
All OF the present commissioners are
men of wide business experience and
,
10 study and appreciate the national i'm.
portance Of the proper development OF
New York port.
Rules and regulations for the operative
functions OF the commission unaer the
proposed treaty mus; be first formulated
by those NCst acquainted w!th IL! the
multifar,ous and divergent interests ard
influences OF the entire district included
IN the port territory. Approval Of these
rules and regulations must be either by
the respective Legislatures Of these two
States or by referendum vote, unless Il
be left to the commissioners themselves.
Modern tendency s for the referendum
OF matters of vital Importance, \ two
accepted as being UP 10 date and demo-
cratic In principle as anything in any
treaty now existing between states
To sugges; the taking OF a sectional
referendum in the entire port district is
to set at naught the sound principles the
treaty seeks to establish. To require a
two-thirls vote, for instance, not only IN
the whole district, but in specific sectious
thereof, would be TO render Impossible
at tA objection OF any such specific To-
cality, developments and Improvements;
not necessarily harmful. but possibly
more or less desirable from purely local
point Of view.
ScCtuua..sm has held back the devei-
opment az the entire port OF New York
II has made the New Jersey side a
blighting rrenace 20 the industrial de-
velopment and prosperity OF that State
Is II too much to expect. now that big
opportunity knocks at jerseys doorstep,
that wisdom and broad vision shall mark
the actions of It's people?
l.. T., Travis,
GLEN RIDGE, " j, January 81.