Perth Amboy evening news., 1920-01-06
LEGISLATION ON
DEBT DISCUSSED
Take Action to
Trenton Want Limit Raised
By STAFF Correspondents.

NEW BRUNSWICK, Jan. 6.-An
informal meeting Of a committee OF
the Freeholders Association was held
at the Trenton House, Trenton, at 2
o'clock yesterday afternoon.
The meeting was called for the pur-
pose of talking over legislation which
various boards of freeholders are de-
sirous Of having passed. at the next
session of the legislature.
While the meeting was merely pre-
liminary, 1t was agreed by the MEM
bers, that the most pressing question
to a settled was that of having the
bonded limit Of second class counties
raised.
Two counties of the state, Middle
sex and Burlington are vitality inter-
ested in this subject for the reason
that they can not now proceed with
permanent improvements, owing to
the fact hat they have practically
their bonded limit.
At the meeting the legislative COM
which was represented by n
member from Middlesex, Bergen, Nor
ris, Atlantic and Burlington counties.
1t was decided to have a bill drafted
placing the bonding limit al five per
of tax valuations instead of three
per cent. which is now permissible
under the Pierson act.
Solicitor Frederick f. Richardson
of this county and engineer James Lo-
gan of Burlington, will have the bill
drafted by Reed, McCook and Hoyt,
attornies of New York. who were the
trainers Of the original Pierson act,
which governs the financial business
Of municipalities.
After this amendment has been
framed 1t will be presented to the ex-
ecutive committee for approval, that
body having nineteen members, one
each from the counties In the associa-
ton.
A meeting of the executive body
will be held in Trenton on January
20, at which time 1t Is expected that
one of the Middlesex county assem-
blymen will present the measure to
the lower house.
That their will be strenuous objec-
lions to the change in bono capacity
there Is no doubt. as word has reached
the association that Assemblyman
Pierson, the father of the original act,
has called a meeting against the meas
ure for next Friday night in Morris
county.
The increasing costs for mainten-
of tuberculosis patients from this
county Is a matter which the Middle
sex freeholder would like to remedy,
ny ItCIlI6 q IOoPlIat liCtV LOi L4AStA
are and cure
If the movement which is now
afoot for raising the bonding capa-
city of Middlesex county is passed by
the legislature 1t will probably be
only a short time until this county
can boast of a hospital to care for its
tuberculosis patients.
While a site has been procured and
plans prepared for such an institu-
~- 4LN nRAb n nfH
are tied at the present time in car
ring the work to it's completion.
A movement was started during
the last assembly session to allow the
issuance of tuberculosis hospital
bands which would not be included
in the bonded debt which is three
per cent. Of tax valuations, but the
asu was never passed.
Members Of the Board of Free
holders have made 1t known In the
past that they favor building the hos
pital, but at the present lime their
bonding capacity will not permit.
Permanent road improvements and
the hopes of erecting the hospital are
given as being the reason for h re-
quest of increasing the bonded limit.
Another matter which was spoken
of yesterday and one which all u
ties aree much concerned in is that or
receiving increased revenue from
freight trucks. This subject will later
on be made to have suitable legisla-
ton passed.
It was pointed out thai with the
increase in number, size and weight
of the motor freight cars" county
roads are being subjected to terrific
wear. With the advent of these trucks
the taxpayers are compelled to pay
more and more each year for the up
keep of the roads, and the feeling
prevails that the truckers themselves
should pay more of the cost.
other subjects which were discuss
ed and on which bills will probably
be presented during the next legisla-
tive session are the burning of leaves
and cutting Of brush along the higg-
ways. closing macadam highways to
heavy truck traffic during the spring
when frost Is leaving the ground, and
revision of laws concerning the re-
fund of moneys Of the state highway
commission.
Those present at the hearing from
Middlesex county were Director Will
liam s. Dey, Freebooter Clarence M.
Haight, County Collector F. William
Hilker and County Solicitor Freder-
lex F. Richardson.