The Penn's Grove record., 1920-08-06
SENATE APPROVES
HIGHWAY BOARD
Confirms All the Governors Ap-
pOintees But One, the New
Head of the Commission.

Ttenton.-v 9Th Il single exception
the appointments made 10y Governor
Edwards TO the new Highway Commits
son to succeed tie commissioners
whom he sunmariIy ousted from office
We're confirmed by tie Jersey senate in
executive session. On the ground that
George l.. Burton of South River. who
was elected president of the commits
si6n at its organization meeting two
weeks ago at one time served as coun-
sci for a company engaged in the pro-
duction of patented payements, the
senate refused to confirm him. Bur
tons alleged connection with this com
pany was brought TO the attention of
h senate by Senator Brown of Mid
dlesex, Burton's county, with the re-
suit that when his nomination cam
UP eight senators opposed it and seven
voted in favor of it.
Every one of the eight men met with
some opposition, which was led princi-
pally by Senator Allen of Salem Il
ty. Senator Sturgess Of Gloucester.
Senator White of Atlantic and Sena-
tor Haines of Camden. who refused to
Voc for the confirmation of any Of
tie nominees. They had varied rea-
sons for taking his attitude, but their
objections, for the most part. were
bISed upon tie belief that South Ier-
sey had been sligted by Governor Ed
wards in his selection of commission
ers. They also We're inspired largely
by the opinion that the removal of the
old board was Withhold justification.
John Ferris of Jersey City was con
firmed by a vote OF II to ), George
Paddock of Newark By II to 4, David
Young of Towaco by - to 3, Thomas
Z. Collins of Elizabeth by Il to 1, Wal
ter f. Whittemore of Newton by l. to
4, William j. Kirby of Somerville by
10 to 4 and Albert E. Doughty of
Mount Holly by 10 to 3.
Must Name Another Man.
As originally announced by Governor
AEdwards, the list of appointees to the
new commission included only sever
names. Doughty was nominated, how
ever, when the senate met to act upon
the appointments. -Four Democrats
and three Republicans now constitute
the commission. Burton, the rejected
nominee, was named us a Democrat.
More than four hours were spent by
the senate In executive session, and
the greater part of this tine was de-
voted to an investigation of the bust
ness and professional lives of the ap-
pointees with a view toward determin-
ing whether or not they ever had af-
filations with companies interested in
the manufacture of patented paving
products. With the exception of Bur
ton, all were given a clean bill of health
On this score.
The session of the senate developed
that there is considerable feeling
among members against the action of
Governor Edwards in %summarily dis
missing the old Highway Commission,
and some of this opposition comes
from within the governors party and
is expressed by his close friends and
supporters. Senator Brown of Mid
dlesex said that he considered the gov
errors action as Ole of the serious
mistakes of the present administra-
4 ton, and Senators Simpson of Hudson
7 and Heath of Mercer declared that,
while they did not consider his dis
missal of the old board as a wise
move, they were willing to support the
governor In his policy.
Thinks Commission Needed.
President Case, speaking for him.
self, said he voted for confirmation
because he believed the state should
not be without a highway commission.
He added that he believed Governor
Edwards was wrong when he named
the de facto board and that the only
thing to do to remedy the situation
was to confirm a commission which is
made up of men who evidently were
capable and worthy of confidence.
As members of a de facto board, the
commissioners were without legal war
rant and were personally responsible
for any action of the commission.
Their confirmation by the senate gives
to them the authority of a de jure
board, which has every legal right to
proceed with the execution of the
state highway plan.
Govern Edwards also sent to the
senate for confirmation the name of
J Russell Carrow, of Camden. a Demo-
crat. to succeed the late John t.
Wright as a member of the Camden
County Tax Board. The appointment
was confirmed. The governor also an
nounced the appointment of DR.. VIII
liam H. Martin, of Newark, as the
fifth member of the State Board of
Ch~iropractic Examiners for the one
year term.
Efforts to bring up for action the
five bills designed to bring about the
relief of the acute housing situation
in the state met with complete failure
and in consequence these measures,
which were passed by the House sew
eral weeks ago, will have to go over
...u +bo oypiratiOn of the present