New-York tribune., 1920-04-05
jersey Legislators
TO Decide Fate of
Motor Bill Tonight
Final Phase of Fight Be
tween Governor and
Bugbee Is Near; Passage
Over Veto Nav Fail
Special Dispatch to The Tr5un.

TRENTON, N. j., April 4-Tbe
opening tomorrow night of the final
phase Of the 1920 New Jersey legisla-
tive session will be marked by the
wlndup OF the bitter fight between Gov
ernor Edwards and the Republican ma
Jorlty in the Legislature mat has CEN
tered around the efforts OF the legis-
iators to wrest from the administr ito n
the control of the office of the State
Commissioner of Motor Vehicles.
This legislation has contributed more
TRAN any single measure toward max.
ing the session Of 1920 an interesting
one, and every stage of the progre s.
has been marked by bitter OPPOSITION
directed by the Governor and wared b,r
his supporters in both branches Of the
Legislature.
The transfer bill, which is fathered
by State Comptroller Bugbee. who was
governor Edwards's opponent in the
gubernatorlal race, takes the depart
ment OF motor vehicles out Of the juris-
dlctlon of the department OF state.
where 1t has rested since its organiza-
ton and gives 1t over TO the state Comp
troller. The bill passed both the House
and the Senate and was sent to Gov
ernor Edwards for his approval The
Governor returned it with a scathing
veto, denouncing the measure as a low
partisan effort to deprive him of pow
ers to which he was duly elected by a
majority of the voters of the state and
to delegate his authority to a man
whose policies have met with repudia-
ton by the people.
Bill Passed Over Veto
Notwithstanding the opposition of
the Governor the bill was passed over
his veto by the Senate Wednesday, 1t
developed split in the Republican
majority, however, Senators Runvon.
Whitney and Bright voting with the
Dem mocrats against it's passage and de-
nounclng the measure vigorously. Ii
will come up for final action by the
House tomorrow night and there is
considerable doubt as to whether it will
get the required number of votes for
passage.
Unless all of the Republicans of the
House are present and vote in accord :
ance with the wishes of the leaders. the
bill cannot pass.
1t has been found that the measure
does not provide for the bonding Of
the proposed commissioner Of motor
vehicles. who will handle between
$4,000 600 and $4,000, 600 year of the
states money
Republicans May Object
1t is possible that some oof the Re-
publicans may object to a bonded
official handling so much state money
and will demand that some bonding
provision be made. If this comes 20
pass there will be a snarl, for the Leg
stature cannot pass a bill over the
governors veto, except in the form in
which 1t was vetoed.
New Jersey is without a Secretary o E
State to-day, Secretary Martins term
having expired at midnight. The term
OF Commissioner Dill, who is Assistant
SECRETARY OF State, expired with that
Of Martin. In consequence ali business
OF the Secretary Of States office viii
be at standstill until the reappoint-
ment Of Secretary Martin has been
confirmed by the Senate. Although the
name of Martin was sent in two weeks
ago, the Senate has not taken any ac-
ton toward continuation
GREAT Inconvenience and much fnan-
cial loss will come to motorists of the
state because of inability to obtain mo-
tor vehicle licenses of any kind in the
state Issuance of all corporation Ger
tlticattes also will cease