Perth Amboy evening news., 1920-01-20

retfrements can be met from a por-
tion of the moneys now collected from
motor vehicle registration. and when
the tunnel and bridge are operated
this charge can be met from the tolls
collected. This is an application OF
the principle that the user pays the
cost. Bills to carry out this pro-
gram will be submitted to you early
in the session.
Taxation.
The question of State and local
taxation will have particular atten-
ton in special messages. Before
communicating with you on the sub
tect, | desire to make a more thor
ough study of the financ al condi-
ton of the State and the municipal
tiles. At this tine l recommend lor
your very earnest consideration lhe
steps necessary to be taken 10 com
plete the road program. l am IN
formed that the moneys raised under
the social ed Edge Act Will not
pay for more han half of the work
outlined, and that, therefore, at the'
end of the five-year period only htty
per cent of the State highways VIII
have been properly constructed. me
State, therefore. must consider very
shortly whether it will raise the pa
ance Of the money necessary to con-
plete his work by a direct state tax
or through a bond issue 1 am opposed
TO further direct State taxes. IL Is d
matter for regret that the highway
program could not have been car
rfed out with the moneys PROVIDED
under the Edge Act. l de believe.
however, II the roads now built are
of any Sa'ue whatsoever, they are In
the nature of a long-term improve
ment II I believe that the cost or
completing these roads should be met
by a pond issue. Upon this subject
1 shall send o special message later
to the Legislature, containing estl-
mates which I will ask the present
State Highway Engineering Depart
ment to prepare, indicating exactly
the position IN which we find the
highway construction of the State.
Housing
Much hardship has resulted from
the insuficiency Of housing accommo-
dations throughout the State. Ii
would be going too far for the State
to embark upon the +nS OF
homes. I cou d not assent to such a
program. But 1 am sure that present
conditt ons a be amellorated
through a study of the situation by
competent men Of affa RS.
1t may be possible through changes
in our laws with respect of taxation,
tenement house requirements, saw
ings bank investments. bu ldtng codes,
etc, to stimulate the building OF new
homes for cur people.
The matter is one for examination
at the hands of a commission. Ehe
situation is crit cal, and II any laws
are to be enacted, they should be in
troduced as early in the session as
the commission can report.
The investigation by the commis.
sion will require the devotion OF
practically all the time Of its NOM
bers if we are to accomplish any re-
suits his year. I am sure however,
that men of sufficient PUBLIC splfi: ana
ability to make the sacrifice VIII IT.
found. There will be presented 20
you a resolution authorizing the APP
DO ntment by the Governor of sucn q
commission, the resolution to PROVIDE
that a report be made 10 the present
Legislature.
Labor.
During the last campaign the party
of which l am a member pledged 1t
self to the passage of laws improving
the condition Of laboring men, forbid
ding the unwarranted issue of writs OF
Injunction In labor disputes where no
property rights are involved other
than the property right claimed in the
labor power of the human being, and
guaranteeing to the working men OF
New Jersey the right of trial by jury
III dlI GASES VI alACSCh 49,
mitted outside the presence of the
court.
Bills carrying out that pledge will
| be presented to you for your consid-
Grafton. I earnestly urge their pas
sage. Such legislation will represent
, modern thought upon the subject. and
in my judgment 70 far toward eff
fectuating that complete understand
ing between capital and labor so nee
] rrro ,.y 80 uya oro fn nrnSnnr In this
country.
Woman Suffrage.
The Federal Congress recently pass
ed a resolution proposing to amend
the Constitution of the United States
by providing that h right to vote
shall not be denied or abridged by the
United States or by any State on ac-
count of sex. That amendment Is
now before the several States for rati-
fcation. I believe 1t to be only Justice
to grant that right to the women Of
the State, and I urge upon the pas
sage of a resolution ratifylng and ac-
cepting such amendment.
General Matters.
There are a nv >ber of other sub
' jects, such as the condition of the
State institutions, condition of State
finances, the possible creation of a
State Insurance Fund as q substitute
for the present Workmen's Compensa-
ton Law. the passage of laws for the
benefit of II soldiers and sailors,
veterans of the recent war; and TAXA
ton, and the Economy and Efficiency
Boards" to which I have generally re-
] ferred heretofore, upon which I shall
make recommendations in special
message sent to you later.
Grateful to the electorate of the
State of New Jersey for the high
honor they have bestowed upon me
and mindful of the oath of office ]
have just taken, l enter upon the
duties of Chief Executive of this great
Commonwealth to redeem the pledges
/ made to the people. I solicit your
hearty cooperation and assistance In
the fulfillment of these pledges.
trust that loyalty and patriotism will
rise above partisan consideration, and
that we shall all work together fol
the common veal of the citizens o.
our beloved State.
EDWARD L. EDWARDS,
Governor
January 20, 1920.
Ha