Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1921-01-19
n. J. MAYORS FIGHT. |
TEN-CENT FARES.
League Of municipalities ir
Convention Discusses Trac-
ton Problems
BUSINESS METHODS URGED

Trenton, Jan. l0.1--One of the. mQSt
important subjects under discussion at
the sixth annual convention Of the
New Jersey State League of Muniripali-
ties which Is in session at the City Hall
here today. was just what part the
league will take in the Eght against the
proposed tcn-ccnt trolley fare. appli-
cation for which has been made to the
state Public Utility Commission by the
Trenton and Mercer County Traction
Corporation. operating in Trenton and
vicinity and the Public Service Railway
Co., serving north Jersey cities. parts
oi central Jersey and South Jersey as
far as Camden.
Two plans were under consideration.
one to fight the proposed Increase in
fares as an organization. employing ex-
perts md counsel. and the other simply
to render assistance in the fight to the
municipalities. The league has mem
bcrship of ISL members IN which the
largest cities as we'll Gs the smallest
arc represented.
Declaring that the league should al
ways function vigorously in the interest
of its members. but that it is not in II
position to finance legal contests. FIX
Mayor Leighton Calkins. of Plainfcld,
the retiring president. submitted his an
nual report. making a strong recommen
dation for an ably managed business Of
flee and an executive secretary of wide
experience in municipal affairs. In this
way. he pointed out. there would be
less burden on the executive committee.
the members of which are busy and can
not always be present at meetings to
guido the league. The leagues man
agement. he said. should be in the hands
of man capable of conducting the
organization much as bank or cor
poration is managed by it's president.
and the position should be made attrac-
tive enough to secure and retain the
services Of an executive secretary-one
capable Of advising in the framing Of
laws in the interest of municipalities
and of detecting bills Of questionable
character in the Legislature.
Mr.. Calkins indorsed a report OF
Secretary Phinney recommending the
discontinuance Of the monthly magazine
Of the league. which Calkins said was
, "hurdcnsome expense and Of doubtful
real benefit
E1- Mayor CaIkins favoScd policy Of
| co operation with such of the mem
bers Of the league rs might want
t. combine to make fight in some
special matter, but he opposed the
! league. as n body. going into costly
large dues and recurring special as
| spSsmcntS upon the municipalities.
which would force the smaller ones
out Of the league. In that event, he
! Tointed out. the League would cease to
/ be representative. The larger cities.
! ne declared, "can always associate
whenever their interests are joint
The Traction Problem III New Jer
soy Cities" was The subject Of an Id
| dress by DR.. Drlos +. Wilcox. of New
York. DR.. Wilcox reviewed the de-
velopment OF the traction problem III
New Jersey during the last ten years
characterized the present situation Is
chaos and criticized both the state and
the municipalities for failure to adopi
any well defined policy with respect tc
the street railways.
DR.. Wilcox said that the only Trims
the state had done in outlining con
sistent policy was the passage of thc
public utilities law. based on the theory
that the utilities were to continue iU
private ownership, but subject to pub
! lie regulation by state board. Even
this policy was not sharply defined by
| the Legislature. He said the policy OF
state regulation was reversed and re-
pudiated by the 1920 Legislature by
the passage Of the street railway val
nation act. which removed the yalua
| tion Of the street railways from the
Lands OF the board and placed II with
firm " commercial engineers. Wha'
ycstiges OF a policy still remain are e!f-
fcctively paralyzcd for the time by thC
dispute between the governor and the
Senate over the removal nnd appoint
lnnt vi the nuhlic utility boards.