The Penn's Grove record., 1920-02-27
Liquor Combine
Rushes Beer Bill
Assembly Voted 3.5 Per Cent. as
Limit of IntOXicantS

1lIIl1l VI 1lttOAASdAtto
Trenton, Feb. 25th.-Despite the
promise of the leaders to give a pub
lie hearing on the bills to establish
the limit of alcohol to be Intoxicating,
the LIQUOR combine in North Jersey
regardless of party where they drink
out of the same bottle, the Assembly
passed a bill on Tuesday permitting
the manufacture of beer with 3.5 per
cent. of alcohol.
Assemblyman Hugh C. Barrett,
Democrat, of Essex, introduced a bill
to make A per cent. the limit. Senator
Charles c.. Pilgrim, Republican, of
Essex, introduced a bill making 2.75
per cent. the limit that would not in
toxicate. Attorney General Thomas
F. McCran, wet Republican from Pas
sale County, drafted the compromise
bill of 3.5 per cent. alcohol, and AS
semblyman Henry G. Herschfeld, Re
publican, of Passaic County, fathered
it. After a bitter and acrimonious de-
bate the bill was passed Tuesday
night by a vote of 81 to Fl. The vote
was as follows:
For-Barrett, Blair, Bowen, Casale,
Coppinger, Corio, Cross, Devoe, Dono-
van, Evans, Finley, Forlenza, Freund,
Fritts, Gaede, George, Guthrie, Han
sen, Headley, Heinzmann, Herschfield,
Hyland, Judge, Lewis, Schultz, Nc
Tteer, Moore, Muro, Rogers, Schultz,
Shields, Siegler, Stanton, Sullivan,
Tattersall, Whalen, David Young.-37.
Acknowledgements, Appleby, Baldwin,
Blackwell, Blizzard, Boswell, Coles,
Dater. Pierson, Roberts, Rowland,
Stiles, Stout, Tozer, Wallworth, War
ner and Dallas G. Young.-21.
The bill went to the Senate Judicia-
nv Committee, who will give it a pub
lie hearing next Monday at 2 P. M.
The affair is to be only formal. 1t is
expected that the Senate will pass it
Monday evening and be signed by
Governor Edwards.
Attorney General McCran will use
it before the U. S. Supreme Court to
fight the Volstead law by Congress
which limits intoxicants to Id per
cent.
With a law in New Jersey brewing
can not begin because war time pro-
hibition prevails as the Peace Treaty
has not been ratified by the U. s..
Senate.
The four Gaede measures revising
public utility regulation, he Republic
cans are confronted by the fact that
the Rowland bill oust.ng the present
State Board of Public Utility Commits
sioners and substituting a body to be
elected by the legislature in joint SEES
sion is on the calendar for third read
ing.
The Rowland bill represents the only
idea so far advanced on the Republic
an side for a change in the Public Util-
tiles Commission, and, while the ma
jority feels it is in a position to curb
the administration moves In this direc-
ton if it so desires, it is not certain
just what will happen when the Cam
den man gets his measure up for a roll
call.
VIII the Democrats concentrate or
the Gaede bills or will they swing into
line for the Rowland measure on the
ground that half a loaf is better than
none? This is the question that is
bothering the Republicans. They find
a partial answer in the statement of
Governor Edwards that he will re
sent any effort to take from the office
of governor the powers which properly
belong there" but the Republicans still
believe there is a chance that the 81
Democrats will join the three Camden
Republicans and such other members
as the latter may win and put the bill
through.
Another piece of legislation on the
calendar for third reading is the adj
ministration bill abolishing the pres
ent State Highway Commission and
substituting for it a paid body to be
appointed by the governor. Minority
Leader Barrett has declared that he
will fight any attempt to delay action
upon it, and it may furnish a new row,
but on party lines.
Among the other measures ready for
final reading in the house are the Ed
ridge daylight saving bill, the Barrett
bin, which would give the Essex Coun-
ty Park Commission power to permit
Sunday sports in the parks; the Nc
Ateer bill, limiting voters at commits
sion government elections to those reg
istering on two special registration
days, and the resolution OF Warner of
Union, providing for the appointment
of a legislative commission to investi-
gate housing conditions and the alleged
rent p~rOfiteering in the state.