Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1921-01-18
n. !. HOUSE DELAYS
ANTLL|QU0R BILLS
Passes Measure Raising Age OF
Consent for Girls From Six
teen to Eighteen
WOMEN MEMBERS ACTIVE
By a Sto6 Correspondent

troduced by one of the New Jersey Leg
iSlature's two women members, was
postponed last night when its advocates
failed to develop enough strength in n
pre- session caucus.
The caucus vote on the BILL offered in
the House bv Mrs. Jennie G. Van
Ness, of Essex, was % for immediate
action and "a for delay. A majority Of
81 was necessary for passage.
The same vote also delayed action
on repeater of the $50 per cent beer
act. one Of Governor Edwards pet
measures which he jammed through the
1920 Legislature.
But while the House jockeyed on the
nnti-liquor bills, it gave it's final ap-
proval to two measures in which wonlei.
over the entire state are interested.
One of these bills gives equal rep
rcsentation to tho new voters on al
state, county and municipal political
committees and makes them eligible as
presidential electors.
Age Of Consent Raised TO 1s
The other raised the age of consent
for girls from sixteen to eighteen years.
This bill had the backing of welfare
organizations, influential women's clubs
and many public officials. Passage Of
both measures by the Senate in the
near future Is assured.
The House session last night W
one of the briefcst on record. 1t co"
vencd at S:0J o'clock and at 9:15
adjournment was ordered until next
Monday night at 9 o'clock. The Senate
session was almost as brief, although
| the upper chamber sat in executive
session from $50 p. m. until 1910 p.
m, to consider hve nominations sent
| by the governor.
Mrs. Van Ness showed no disap-
pointment whom action was halted on
| the "dry'' enforcement bill,
"All good things come to those who
wait" she remarked with IA smio ,
she was leaving the Assembly chamber
Mrs. Margaret B. Laird. also Of Es-
sex, and Mrs. Van Ness were in their
adjoining seats in the House when
Speaker George S. Hobart called the
session to order. AS at the opening ses-
sion, Mrs. Van Ness was hatless, while
her companion wore colorful turban.
Both read documents on their desk dur
ing the opening formalities.
A message from the Community Club
of Iansdown was the first business be-
fore the House. 1t urged a more equita-
BILE distribution of school funds and was
ordered spread on the recordS
The first vote cast by women legis-
lntors in New jerseys history was for
the hnal passage of a bill appropriating
S2OO,OOO for the determination of the
gypsy moth through the state. The State
Department Of Agriculture il to have
supervision.
The age of consent bill was next to
pnss Then attention was turned TO a
Dill prepared by the state attorney gen.
eral dealing with interest payments on
the Delaware river bridge and Hudson
tunnel bond issues. The measure author
ICES the payment Of interest on the
bonds to be made from general funds,
the treasury to be reimbursed later from
tax receipts. This action was taken to
prevent bondholdcrs waiting until next
December for interest payments.
Assembyman Harry Runyon. of
Warren, the Democratic minority Of
one, got into action when the bill grant
ing equal representation on committees
Tor women was suggested for third
reading and final passage. Similar steps
had been taken with the other bills
called up. Runyon made the point that
undue haste was being shown. lie an
nounced he favored the equal repre-
sentation bill, but he thought measures
were being slipped through the cogs too
quickly. The bill was passed finally over
his objection.
40 Bills Sent to Committees
When several committee reports had
Cccn cleared away, forty six bills were
Introduced and were referred to COM
mittPes.
The House Republican caucus was
concerned hn
torcemrnt bill. Under its provisions,
magistrates, but not justices of the
peace, are authorized to issue search
warrants on affidavits that liquor is
being sold or held illegally.
Inc Dill gave summary jurisdiction to
magistrates and provided maximum
penalty of 5000 fine or one year in
prison or both. Summary conviction for
violation Of the proposed act would
hold the accused "diSOrderly per.
son. The bill sets up no special en-
forcement machinery.
In commenting on the measure. the
Rev. G.. Rowland Munro, state super
lntendent OF the Anti Saloon League,
stated:
The object of this bill is to enforce
prohibition and stop 'boUtlcgging' in
New Jersey. 1t deals only with the
sale of intoxicating liquor for beverage
purposes. 4 companion bill will deal
with alcohol, wine and other liquors for
medicinal, scientific, manufacturing and
Sacranental purposes.
No More Money Needed
NO new department and no special
enforcement officers are created NOI
money appropriation is sought. Present
omclalS are given ample power and eff
cient machinery for the investigation,
CONVECTION aud punishment of viontur>
Following the model of the disor
derly persons acts. rs in case of wife
dcserters, drivers of automobiles while
intoxicated, and violatOrs of the fish
ana game laws, a VIC alton is conSti
tuted disorderly act rather than
CRIME. This Obviutes the necessity of
inrther crowding the grand jurirs and
Tue criminal court doCkPts and permits,
instead, simple, direct. prompt pro.
Sednrc before magistrate without n
Jury IL also permits u trial before
lne nearest magistrate. excepting only
Il justice of the peace.
THE penalties run up to $500 fine
or a years Imprisonment, or both. An
ample appeal to the supreme Court ius-
tre holding circuit in the county is
provided.
The bill when enacted into law will
give New Jersey every needed opuor. ,
tunity to exercise her share of the con ,
current power granted by the eighteenth
amendment of the federal constitution. "
Subscribe for Legislative Index
\ lengthy discussion in the Senate
WnS caused by suggestion to subscribe
- for each senator for copies of the
Legislative Index, Il weekly publication !
issued by the New Jersey Chamber Of
Commerce. The suggestion was an. |