Perth Amboy evening news. [volume] (Perth Amboy, N.J.) 1903-1959, 1920-02-18
Measure introduced by Pilgrim
Following G. O.. P. Conference
SEE DIVISION OF OPINION
Party Vote to be Split on
Liquor Question In Senate
-Wets Are Not Satisfied
By Special Correspondent.

1AlLLN lOI>, rep. Io-lutrOuuctioH oA
2.75 beer bill, without referen-
dunn. by State Senator Charles C.
Pilgrim, Of Essex. is looked upon
here as the policy of the Republican
organization offered to Governor Ed
wards In his fight to have New Jer-
sey exercise it's concurrent power un-
der the national prohibition amend
ment for the enforcement Of the lat
est amendment to the constitution to
the United States.
Pilgrim introduced the measure
yesterday after conference with the
Republican senators. Attorney Cen
eral \McCran drafted the bill which
carries out the Republican idea of
concurrent power and 1t is based upon
the testimony Of eminent medical au-
thorities that beverages containing
2.75 per cent of alcohol by weight
are not intoxicating.
Administration supporters ere
somewhat put out by the stand taken
by Pilgrim and other Republican SEN
ators Of wet tendencies. Governor
Edwards has been urging a four per
cent beer bill without q referen-
dunn. In the Pilgrim bill 1t is under
stood that the administra ton sees the
only chance for putting across a wet
measure during the session of 1920.
Division Of opinion among the Re-
publican senators at the conference
is plainly shown by the report Of line
up on the Pilgrim bill. Five Repub-
lican senators will support the Re-
publican organization measure. There
are six Democratic senators and a ma
jority vote for the Pilgrim bill in the
Senate is reported to be q certainty.
Republican senators in favor Of the
2.75 bill without referendum are;
White, of Atlantic; White, of Burling
ton: Mackay, of Bergen; Pilgrim, Of
Essex, and Smith. Of PasSaic. The
house of assembly Is said to be in IA
vor Of the passage Of some wet pro-
gram without a referendum. Pros
poets Of the Edwards administration
accepting the Republican organization
program are said to be inevitable, If
the governor and his supporters are
desirous of carrying out the wet pro-
gram this year.
Senator Haines, Of Camden, is
standing pat on his bill for refer
endum on the question of New Jersey
exercising its power to legalize nom
Intoxicating beverages with O alcO-
holic content greater than the ma
tional VOlstead act. The Haines bill
will be- amended to provide for 2.76
beer but the popular vote clause will
be retained.
Further division Of opinion among
the Republicans Is shown by the
yon's bill for the state to ratify the
Volstead act for beverages to con-
tain not more than one-half of one
per cent. of alcohol. Senate Presi-
dent Case, Republican Leader Allen,
Senators Bright. of Cape May;
Gloucester; Stevens, of Monmouth;
Whitney. Of Morris; Hagaman, Of
Ocean, and Runyon, the introducer.
will support the Volstead act as the
enforcement law which New Jersey
should pass.
Senator Bright, Cape May, is said
to be not too strongly welded to the
are rumors at the state house that
he may follow with the Pilgrim clan
and support the 2.75 bill.
The Antd-Saloon League Of New
Jersey Is still pleading for another
hearing on all pending beverage bills
and Just waiting for the opportunity
to offer testimony to show that bev-
erages containing 2.75 alcoholic con-
tent are intoxicating. No date for
the reported second hearing on the
liquor bills has been announced.
Senator Whitney's bill for a uni
form system OF registration for births
and deaths passed the senate today
with but ono vote in the negative.
Senator Sturgess cast the opposing
vote.
Two bills which met with opposi-
>tion In the senate were temporarily
laid over and will come UP later for
further consideration. Senator
Reeves of Cumberland. introduced
one Of the bills which would prohibit
FOR the installation OF meters used
for gas Senator Brown said the
passage of the bill would be an un-
desirable departure in that 1t might
be the entering wedge for making 1t
mandatory for the - Public Utility
Commission to act on many matters
not contemplated in the law estab-
fishing the commission.
1t was held that the Commission
already had sufficient power to rem
edy such matters II in the judgment
of the Public Utility Commissioners
a remedy was needed. There was
roll cali on the, bill but 1t lacked
several votes Of the, necessary ma
1ority. The Mackay bill simplifying
the collection of bail from bondsmen
where defendants fail to appear for
trial was the other measure on which
action was postponed because of con-
centrated opposition.
The Runyon bill for an extra one
mill tax for State School purposes
which was introduced in the Senate
was withdrawn from the calendar and
revenue raising measure. The bill
proposes to increase the State School
tax to three and three-quarter mills
to provide additional salaries for
school teachers
Among the bills introduced in the
Senate were. B. H. White, to prohibit
employment of minors in industries
deemed by the Commissioners of La
Dor as menace to safety OF such
minors.
Mackay, providing registration GER
tificates for qualified voters such as
commercial travellers who are re-
quired to be absent on regular regis
tration days.
Mackay, to ratify an agreement be-
tween New Jersey and New York for
the construction of vehicular tunnels
under the Hudson River.
BLUE RIBBON, BUrTER Is packed
In alright cartons for your protection.
Keeps in the flavor; keeps out the dust.
Ask your dealer. 12s10-2-s-12-1s-2
Carpenter worR and JoDbing prompt
" attended to- Geo H Thompson 81