The Monmouth inquirer., 1921-03-24
NAMES JERSEY
SERVICE BOARD
Governor Edwards Appointees
Face. Many Serious and Far
reaching Public Problems.
BATTLE OPENS ON CANAL
HamiII, Hoff, Baeharaeh for Utility
6oard-Governo Sends Nomina-
tions to Senate Under New
WalIworth Act.

WaiiWorrn ACT.
Trenton.-The new Board of Utility
Commissioners, facing many serious
and farreaching problems close to the
vital interests of the people of New
Jersey is to be: James A. Hamill, Jer-
sey City,. Joseph S. Hoff, Princeton;
Harry Bacharach, Atlantic City,
Formal announcement of these ap-
pointments was made by Governor Ed
wards setting at rest all speculation
and guessing in political and business
circles as to the personnel of the
board, regarded as one of the most
important branches of the state gov
ernment. The appointments were sent
to the senate and are expected to be
confirmed at once becs use of the press
ing need for commission to function
and dispose Of many pending matters
Of the greatest Importance.
Governor Edwards also sent in the
re-appointment of former State Chair
man Edward e. Grosscup, of Glou-
cester county, as state purchasing
agent, a position Mr. Grosscup has ef-
ficiently filled for three years. Joseph
pointed to the state board of shell
fisheries for his third term, and Ed
ward K Allen, Jr., of New Gretna, was
appointed to succeed Lorenzo d. Rob-
bins. Former Judge William FL. Nor
row, of Belvidere, was named for the
state board of education to fill the
unexpired term of Percy H. Stewart,
resigned.
Mr.. Hamlll is very likely to be,
chosen chairman of the commission,
with the backing of the governor He
won his spurs as member of the
assembly from Hudson county for
three years, in which time he display
ed more than ordinary ability as an
orator and student of political econo-
my and a leader of no small caliber.
He was elected to Congress in 1907
from the Twelfth District, and has
served with distinction ever since.
A Democrat and a lawyer, Mr.. Hoff
Is a former member of the state civil
service commission to which he was
first appointed by the then Governor
Wilson, in whose campaigns he was
one of the most ardent of workers. He
is president of two banking institu-
tions in Princeton, capable and
successful business man, and the
Mercer county member of the Demo-
cratic state committee.
5acharach Former Mayor
Mr.. Bacharach was a former post
master and former mayor of Atlantic
City, president of one of the most sue
scessful trust companies In the resort
and has, for years, been leader in
business enterprises there.
He is the one Republican member
of the board provided for by the Wall
worth act, under which it Is named
as the successor of the body which
Governor Edwards dismissed for mis-
use of the high offices.
Mr.. Bacharach had been backed ty
United States Senator Edge for the
successor to Samuel 1redell as Collec-
tor of internal revenue for the South
Jersey district, but former Senator
Baird wanted that place. for Frank d.
Shaw, of Camden county, who has
been chief deputy in the Office for
about twelve years, although a Re-
publican.
Baird and his lieutenants, therefor,
put forth every effort to land Bacha-
rach in the Utility Board to get him
out of Shaw's way, and they were
aided, it is said, by Supreme Court
Clerk Johnson, of Atlantic. 1t was
the latter Is is declared, who GEally
induced Bacharach to accept the
$4,000 position. That, of course,
means Baird control of the revenue
office, employing hundreds of clerks
and agents in the lower counties.
kelleher Probable Secretary
Gossip has it that the secretary of
the new Utility Commission will be
Edward J. Kelleher, of Camden, men,
Der of the State Democratic Commit
tee and chief field deputy in the
revenue office. He is known to be a
capable and efficient man and is said
to have the backing of the governor.
Thus closes another chapter In the
history of utility legislation, which has
kept New Jersey on edge for two
years, and it is the general belief that
the personnel of the new board will
give popular satisfaction.
Final arguments for and against
the passage of Senator Parry's bill re-
lating to the abandonment of the
Morris canal were heard by the Senate
Committee at a public hearing. The
bill provides method for the insti-
tuition of condemnation proceedings
for the canal property prior to 1924
and there was strenuous objection as
well as ardent advocacy of the meas
ure.
Hudson Maxim, the munitions In
ventor, led the argument on tehalf
of the residents of Morris and Sussex
counties and the Lake Hopatcong vi
cinity in general.