The Penn's Grove record., 1920-12-24
Expect to Lay Out Jersey Legis-
Iative Program, but Realize
Difficulties in the Way.
PUBLIC SERVICE A SORE.
The Company Is Now IndustriousIy
Spreading Propaganda Against the
Jitney In Preparation for a Prob
able Fight Upon That Industry.

Trenton.-The Public Service Cor
poration still commands considerable
strength In legislative circles, and it
may be able to put that strength into
action when 1t starts to put the jit-
siderable doubt upon that score be-
cause Of the huge majority with which
the Republicans will work In both
houses, the assembly resembling a
party mass-meeting. There are prob
ably a considerable number who pre-
fer to take the safer course.
The principal argument Of the Pub
lie Service now is that the patrons OF
the trolley lines are paying for the
competition of the jitney buses in the
increased fare, claiming that with
such competition the company is un-
able to give service at a lower cost.
Those who regard the nimble jitney
as a permanent means of ~transporta-
ton find the Public Service arguments
specious, preferring to believe that the
people patronize them because of the
widespread unpopularity of the troll
ley concerns. Whatever of basis there
may be for these arguments, the issue
will have to be met in the legislature,
and the battle will be hot from start
to finish.
Many of the Republican leaders
have %fervently wished that the pes
tiferous utility issue were sent to the
demnition bow-wows, for they have
realized to what extent it has placed
the party in jeopardy upon numerous
sorry occasions, but they also under
stand that it cannot be evaded and
that the people of the state look to the
forthcoming session for a satisfactory
solution of the annoying problem. The
proposal to place the appointment of
the Utility Board in the power of the
Supreme Court is regarded as a happy
way out Of the political complexities
with which that body has been har-
assed ever since its creation. The Su-
preme Court can never be suspected
of playing politics. Its decisions have
always held it above such suspicion,
and as the Utility Board is always
considered a quasi judicial body,
there might be some merit in the
proposed change.
Such a shift of responsibility, how
ever, would probably be not to the Xix
ing of the utility concerns, some of
which have exerted marked influence
over the deliberations of the commits
sion.
The Supreme Court has not yet rem
dered its decision on the proceedings
taken by Attorney General McCran to
test the right Of the governor tc re-
move the members Of the Utility Com
mission under charges he found sus-
tanned and until it does render its
decision the whole matter will prob
ably be hung up. 1t is fully expected,
however, that the decision will have
been rendered by the time the new
session opens the second Tuesday in
January, and the Republicans, break
ing all precedent, again adjourned the
present session to an hour prior to the
organization of the new.
That move is looked upon as a safe
ty device against any action Cover
nor Edwards may decide to take. If
the Supreme Court upholds his order
of custer of the Utility Board he will
renew the appointments of the board
he made at the time the custer order
was issued. The senate has not, OF
course, acted upon these appointments
in view of the attorney generals pro-
ceedings, and the hold-up will await
the courts decision.
1t would be possible for the Repub-
licans, in case they could agree, to
rush through a bill meeting the situa-
lion, for with such a majority as they
will command. they can do almost any
nid thing, and it requires only a r
majority of either house to pass a
measure over the Executive vote. Such
harmony of action is not probable,
lowever. There are already visible
.'gns of a fractional break between the
,arty leaders and the organization
,ates went through with such friction
hat serious breaks may be looked for
rom the cry start of the session. 1t
$ possible for the big counties in the
ipper part of the state to form a com
nation in which the smaller counties
would be left in the lurch upon almost
very move, but it was evident that in
he house organization, at least such
IL formation was not likely.
The followers of former Governor
,tokes and former United States Sen
ttor Baird seemed to have been III the
,scendanCy from the start and with
he ait of National Committeeman
can they could. perhaps, hold a grip
lard to break. Kean is a banker,
'eeply Interested in investments and
: supposed 10 have Il large and COM
manding influence over the II assem-
'yrlen elected in Hudson county, as
well as the three from his home County
Union. United states Senator Edge
"cmdins as considerable of a leader in
+ris Situation and would probably h2ye
O I've consulted with respect to utility
legislation, so there is ample evidence