The Penn's Grove record., 1921-03-04

the state some -ears ago, opposed the
Parry bill, and Attorney William 1.
Lewis of Paterson. spoke In behalf OF
the Lehigh Valley Railway.
John f. Mills, attorney, and Hudson
Maxim, inventor, represented the resi-
dents of the vic nifty of Lake Hopat-
cong. who protest against the passage
of the bill unless IN amendment were
added that would protect the PEOPLE
having property invested in that local
ity.
Geo. Record Wants Condemnation
Mr.. Congleton and Mr.. Record out
lined the purpose of the bill. The
latter told of the various uses the bed
of the canal could be put to in case or
its abandonment. He represented that
the Lehigh Valley Railway was spend
ing about 100000 a year for Its up
keep without getting anything IN re-
turn.
He urged the condemnation proceed
ings within the next year on the part
of the state instead of waiting until
the contract expired.
He pointed out that the bed of the
canal in lower Jersey City could De
used for a large sewer, its surface Tor
a speedway. the other portion In Hud-
son county for a railway
to Droyer's Point where big develop
ments are being pushed.
In Essex county, he understood the
Public Service Railway Company want
ed the bed for trolley development. and
the Pennsylvania Railway for extern
sion of the tube system. 1t could be
put to valuable public uses In other
counties.
Mr.. Heck representing the Chamber
Of Commerce of Jersey City. declared
that the taking over of the canal was
supported by the 1900 manufacturers
Of Jersey City, some of them -epre-
senting the largest companies in the
state.
Railroad Wants Terminal Basins
Attorney Lewis, speaking for the
railway, said that his clients kept con-
troll of the Morris canal because OF
their title, that 1t would give to the
large and small basin in Jersey City.
The upkeep of the canal cost his eli
ents about $4,000 a year before the
war, but now its approximate cost was
100000. He held that the company
would expect the state to live up to its
contract and not initiate condemnation
proceedings.
If the canal is taken over by the
state the railway would expect to get
the big and little basins, that part Of
the canal channel in Hudson county,
and certain portions near Phillipsburg.
This property would be used for rail
way development purposes.
Mr.. Sommer of Newark said that the
question at hand was who would be
master in the situation. This bill, he
pointed out, was drawn up with a diff
ferent assumption from the others.
The state is now in a position to die
tate terms, he concluded.
Lake Hopatcong in Danger
Hudson Maxim told of S10.000,000
worth Of property invested in the Vi
cinity Of Lake Hopatcong and what it
would mean to the summer resorts
and persons who have built in that Vi
cinity in case the water supply of the
lake were tapped. The basin of the
lake was only q square miles, and the
daily outflow but 100000 gallons.
He wanted an amendment that would
protect the people of that community.
With the passage Of the bill without
this clause the control would be en-
tirely in the hands of state officials.
He made a convincing argument.
Mr.. Godfrey viewed the measure as
surrender to the Lehigh Valley rail
way. 1t would pay the railway COM
pany some three or four million dol
lars to take the canal, which the rail
way would be glad to get rid of, and,
In fact, would pay the state to take
over. He accused the proponents of
the measure of being ignorant of con
ditions or of favoring special inter
ests.
Various details of the water rights
pertaining to the Morris canal and its
present possessors were discussed
with no conclusions being reached 9th
er than that the purpose of the bill Is
to take over the canal first and not
go into the various ramifications that
would result from its passage.
Conviction Of Communist Upset
The ~anti-sedition law passed in 1915
was declared unconstitutional in the
Supreme Court. The decision was
given In an opinion reversing the con
victIon of Walter Gabriel of Newark
state secretary of the Communis
party in New Jersey. Gabriel was
convicted in Essex county and sen
fenced to serve two to ten years.
Two indictments charged advocac!
of the subversion of the government o
the United States and the state of New
Jersey and that Gabriel was a mem
Der of a society formed to encourage
hostility to the government of thu
United States and of the state. HI
was arrested in Communist raid
- VOW nnn on6 tho rh1ppol